First, a quick note - if you're a book dealer / book collector / book fanatic and you haven't yet read any of the blog posts regarding the four day wonder which was the ABAA Pasadena International book fair (see previous post for information about it) , here are some links for you:
First, from the ABAA itself: Pasadena Book Fair Blog
From Chris Lowenstein at The Bookhunter's Holiday (this is a four part series of posts, I'm linking the first post to whet your appetite): The Bookhunter's Holiday ABAA blog post #1
Then there's The Ships' (B)log from The Elliot Bay Book Company: feeding the machine
I know there are others out there, but this is just a set of starter links for you. Interesting viewpoints, one and all, on one of the three biggest book fairs in the US (and the ONLY really big Book Fair on the west coast).
Now, on to other things.
A couple of weeks ago I missed going to the San Francisco book fair due to an appointment to pick up a possible consignment collection. I had been sent a list via email of some of the books that were in the boxes that might be consigned, but as always, I was a skeptic of the highest order. I've seen plenty of lists from prospective customers -- only to find out, upon arrival, that what the list shows and the reality of the group of books are two completely different animals.
This time, the reality was definitely better than my expectation. I can't go into great detail just yet (waiting for some finalizing with the consignor, and a possible catalogue to put together before I can preview a few of the items) but this small collection has given me much to do research-wise.
It's mostly young adult / children's picture books, but with an emphasis on illustrated editions and illustrators; including: N. C. Wyeth, Arthur Rackham, Howard Pyle, and others. There are a couple of truly stand out items that I long to divulge (and describe, with copious photos), but I'm still researching most of those. I should have all of the collection ready to go for the upcoming Sacramento Book Fair (March 22nd) at the Scottish Rite Temple.
Hopefully I'll be able to start showing some of them here well before that deadline.
And now, back to the desk and to my research.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
ABAA Fair in Pasadena starts today!
So today is the opening day of the 45th Annual California ABAA book fair.
Here's a link to the website put together by the fair: 45th Annual ABAA Book Fair- Pasadena
I'm watching the day unfold via Facebook * (note - I'm trying to switch my sudden, stream of conscious interjections to footnotes, so check below when you see a symbol by a word or phrase) which is a fascinating thing. Many of the book dealers are regular Facebook people and they've gotten in the habit of uploading short, tantalizing bits of info, along with pictures and videos. This is really a new phenomenon, one that has morphed into being over the last year or so as more dealers connect on Facebook, and then take the time during lulls in the crowds to chat with each other or update those of us who were not able to be there in person.
Today I'm thoroughly wishing I could be there as an exhibitor ** This is me being extremely envious + of all my fellow book dealers who have "made it" ^^ to a place that I have wanted to be for many years $$. I wish my fellow dealers well and will breathlessly await the storytelling to come when I see them next.
So far this year I've missed out on the San Francisco shadow fair last week because I didn't feel I had enough good material to justify the entry fee for the booth. Of course, fate being what it is, I ended up missing going to the SF fair to schmooze so that I could meet with someone who had a collection of books for consignment.
I'll be writing up more about this collection as the weeks pass. Currently, I'm in research mode for the most part -- which is the most exciting part of the job, even when it's frustrating ##.
I will have all the research done, the listings written and everything cleaned up by March 24 for the Sacramento Rare Book fair. I'm not sure if will put out an "Occasional List" with these items in it, and offer it on the newsgroups first, or if I want to wait with them until the Book fair. That's still in the planning stages now. Either way, I've got a small group of books that intrigues me more than anything I've worked with in about a year.
Hopefully, my next blog will show some tidbits of this collection, including photos.
Until then, I'm off to Facebook to see what news there is from the Book fair.
Ok - asides below:
* (I'm not much of a Twitter-er, but I'm sure there are tweets going a mile a minute)
** (or even just as a customer / viewer).
+ (I know ... one of the seven deadly sins)
^^ (I'm talking to you, Chris!)
$$ (though I admit I'm an inveterate waffler when it comes to taking really big steps like joining the ABAA)
## (due to NOT FINDING what I want to find - but then again, the not finding is a clue all in itself).
Here's a link to the website put together by the fair: 45th Annual ABAA Book Fair- Pasadena
I'm watching the day unfold via Facebook * (note - I'm trying to switch my sudden, stream of conscious interjections to footnotes, so check below when you see a symbol by a word or phrase) which is a fascinating thing. Many of the book dealers are regular Facebook people and they've gotten in the habit of uploading short, tantalizing bits of info, along with pictures and videos. This is really a new phenomenon, one that has morphed into being over the last year or so as more dealers connect on Facebook, and then take the time during lulls in the crowds to chat with each other or update those of us who were not able to be there in person.
Today I'm thoroughly wishing I could be there as an exhibitor ** This is me being extremely envious + of all my fellow book dealers who have "made it" ^^ to a place that I have wanted to be for many years $$. I wish my fellow dealers well and will breathlessly await the storytelling to come when I see them next.
So far this year I've missed out on the San Francisco shadow fair last week because I didn't feel I had enough good material to justify the entry fee for the booth. Of course, fate being what it is, I ended up missing going to the SF fair to schmooze so that I could meet with someone who had a collection of books for consignment.
I'll be writing up more about this collection as the weeks pass. Currently, I'm in research mode for the most part -- which is the most exciting part of the job, even when it's frustrating ##.
I will have all the research done, the listings written and everything cleaned up by March 24 for the Sacramento Rare Book fair. I'm not sure if will put out an "Occasional List" with these items in it, and offer it on the newsgroups first, or if I want to wait with them until the Book fair. That's still in the planning stages now. Either way, I've got a small group of books that intrigues me more than anything I've worked with in about a year.
Hopefully, my next blog will show some tidbits of this collection, including photos.
Until then, I'm off to Facebook to see what news there is from the Book fair.
Ok - asides below:
* (I'm not much of a Twitter-er, but I'm sure there are tweets going a mile a minute)
** (or even just as a customer / viewer).
+ (I know ... one of the seven deadly sins)
^^ (I'm talking to you, Chris!)
$$ (though I admit I'm an inveterate waffler when it comes to taking really big steps like joining the ABAA)
## (due to NOT FINDING what I want to find - but then again, the not finding is a clue all in itself).
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