Book Fairs | January 29, 2025

Jane Austen Theme for Rare Books San Francisco 2025

Peter Harrington

Sense and Sensibility: A Novel by Jane Austen (1811), first edition of the author’s debut novel, scarce in the original boards, with the contemporary ownership signatures of Frances, Lady Shelley, offered at the fair by Peter Harrington.
 

Rare Books San Francisco will return later this week with the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen a key element in its latest iteration.

Running February 1 (10am -6pm) and February 2 (11am- 4pm) it is supported by Abe Books and KQED with an international lineup of exhibitors and offerings of antiquarian books, rare maps, Fine Prints, ephemera, and artist’s books. For the first time the fair will be held at Gateway Pavilion at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. A new addition for the fair this year will be a selection of independent writers, artists, and creators curated by San Francisco Zine Fest.

In addition to guided tours of the book fair and a zine making workshop, rare book dealer and author of the forthcoming book Jane Austen’s Bookshelf Rebecca Romney will give a talk on Austen's life and work. Other events include Ben Kinmont discussing his art project exhibition about the San Francisco Diggers Our commons are free, and printmaker and book artist Richard Wagener talking about his technique and work, hosted by The Book Club of California.

“We are excited to be back in the City by the Bay and to bring with us exhibitors from as far away as Australia and the Netherlands and everywhere in between,” said Jodi Tolan, Director of Operations for Rare Books LA, which produces events in California and New York.