The Knockturnal was on the scene for the 62nd Annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, held at the Park Avenue Armory on the 406th Anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.
Nearly two hundred exhibitors showed their wares. On display were a newly found manuscript of Charlotte Bronte’s teenage poetry, Amy Winehouse’s library, and original folios of the collected plays of the Bard himself. If it was displayed, it was for sale. Vendors came from all over the world to sell their books, ranging in time from the Renaissance to today, and ranging in price from under one hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. There were booksellers from Germany, France, Italy, Georgia, Canada, England, Argentina, and the Czech Republic in addition to many exciting dealers from the United States. One stall of note was Tamino Autographs, which had autographs on display from many notable celebrities, including Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Queen Victoria, and two signatures of Princess Diana’s. There was a first edition, first printing of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby on sale for $367,000. We also met Ian Barnes, who is the managing director and founder of Temple Bookbinders. Temple Bookbinders specializes in hand bookbinding and restoration and also works by appointment to Her Majesty The Queen. We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to come back next year.
Below are some fashion-related highlights dealers brought:
A hand-typed “Curriculum Vitae” (CV) from 24-year-old fashion designer Alexander McQueen, two pages, 8.25 x 11.75, circa 1992/1993.
An Isaac Mizrahi fashion sketch on display at the fair from his Fall 2004 show at NY Fashion Week, which was the basis for the documentary film UNZIPPED
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Faye Dunaway photograph by Richard Avedon
A autographed photo by Yves Saint Laurent
Helmut Newton’s photographs of Diane von Furstenberg of 1984 Spring/Summer & 1985 Fall Couture collection and original renderings, drawing, swatch samples, press photos, Polaroid’s from 1985
Regency period original art watercolor overlays depicting various fashions of the day