November 2013 | Rebecca Rego Barry

Boston In Brief

Here's a quick reminder and run-down of bookish events in Boston this weekend, for those lucky enough to be in the area.

Friday-Sunday: Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Hynes Convention Center. 120 antiquarian booksellers offering books, manuscripts, maps, autographs, photographs, and prints. Some highlights to ponder (and evidence of the show's depth): a first edition of Pride and Prejudice, a first edition of the first issue of Playboy, and a 1969 U.S. dollar signed by John Lennon. In addition, there are several special events held during the fair, including a Saturday talk on sports book collecting; a Saturday lecture on scrimshaw books; a Saturday roundtable with the Ticknor Society, a book-collecting group; and a book signing with our own Nick Basbanes, for his newest book, On Paper. On Sunday, there will be free appraisals.

Honeywaxphoto.JPGSaturday only: The Boston Book, Print and Ephemera Show at the Back Bay Events Center. This is what we often refer to as a 'shadow show' -- collectors and dealers alike will find themselves scouting there when the doors open at 8 a.m. Some highlights to look out for: the first edition of the coveted 1932 photoplay, King Kong; a Doves Press edition of Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson; a rare Revolutionary War broadside; and a splendidly bound 1678 edition of Paradise Lost (seen here at left, from Honey and Wax Booksellers).

Sunday only: Skinner, Inc.'s auction of Fine Books & Manuscripts at 63 Park Plaza, 11:00 a.m. The bi-annual books auction from Boston's premier auction house is not to be missed, featuring a wide selection of rare books, documents, prints, and maps. A particular focus for this auction is children's books from the collection of Julia F. Carter, who worked under NYPL children's librarian, Anne Carroll Moore. Many first editions of Caldecott and Newbery Award winners will be on the block, including a signed first of Boston's beloved, Make Way for Ducklings (seen below via Skinner).

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