On April 5, The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America’s (ABAA) 61st New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) occured at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Collectors, buyers, and book enthusiasts come together annually to discuss rare artifacts and books.
First Edition Rare Books displayed a first-edition, first-printing copy of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The book contained an autograph by the author. The dealer also showed a first-edition, first-printing copy of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The copy had an autograph by the author as well.
Imperial Fine Books showed a set of twelve volumes of the Bronte sisters’ novels. The titles included Jane Eyre and Agnes Grey. The seller also had a set of six volumes of Lodge’s portraits with red Morocco material. The card described the items as a “handsome set.”
Yesterday’s Gallery displayed an 1864 edition of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. The dealer also had copies of Jane Eyre, Villette, and Shirley by Charlotte Bronte.
James Cummins Bookseller displayed a first-printing copy of former President Abraham Lincoln’s Cooper Union Address. At the time, the speech was printed as number four in the Tribune Tracts: National Politics collection. The dealer showed a copy of Outdoor Pastimes of An American Hunter (1905) by former President Theodore Roosevelt. The item is one of 260 total copies that Roosevelt signed. James Cummins Bookseller’s copy had a dust jacket, which is very rare.
B & B Rare Books, Ltd. showed a 1991 Nirvana City Gardens Music Calendar with its initial promotional flyer. The bands on the poster included the Ramones, the Ween, Bad Brains, and Type O Negative. The seller also offered a 1998 Nirvana Mini-Poster, which featured Coffin Break and D.O.A. The dealer had a copy of the Nevermind album that both Nirvana and art director Robert Fisher autographed.
Jonkers Rare Books displayed a first-edition copy of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The item had a dustwrapper and slight damage to the corners.
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps showed a map called “Wonders of New York”
(1953). The map presented New York’s subway system and attractions in a cheery way with vibrant colors. The dealer also displayed a map called the “Official Map of the Territory of Arizona” (1980). The site showed Arizona’s land features, which civil engineers E. A. Eckhoff and P. Riecker gathered from reconnaissance and surveys, among other sources.
Bromer Booksellers displayed a musical score called Horae Beatae Virginis Mariae, iuxta Ritum Sacri Ordinis Praedicatorum (1923) by Eric Gill. The item was printed in red and black with musical notes. The copy also included twelve wood engravings made by the author. According to the item’s description card, the book was intended for use by Dominican beginning musicians.
Alastor Rare Books, Ltd displayed a folio titled American Offers (1898-1906), in which a German family finds success in New Jersey. The manuscript order book was a component of The Henry Nungesser and Dickinson Seed Company. The item consisted of three volumes. The folio was made of boards covered by half roan and pebbled cloth, upper corner labels, and a paper spine. The item’s card noted its imperfections such as the lack of material covering the spine.
Camille Sourget Librairie had a book called L’Imitation de Jesus-Christ (1883). The artifact served as an Imitation of Jesus Christ during the 19th century. The item was made of chromolithography with polychrome and gold frames.
