Book Fairs | April 25, 2012

Strong Attendance, Great Sales, and Celebrity Visits at NY Book Fair

The 52nd Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair, sponsored by the prestigious Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, closed on April 15th with a record number of dealers, strong attendance, great sales, and a number of celebrity visits. Two hundred and thirteen expert dealers from 15 different countries filled the historic Park Avenue Armory with rare books, illuminated manuscripts, autographs, maps, and finely bound volumes. Declared by the late Andy Rooney as "the best book fair in the world," this year’s show did not disappoint.
 
"The New York Antiquarian Book Fair opened with a buzzing Preview Thursday evening April 12th, and ran through Sunday April 15th this year at the Park Avenue Armory.  The NY Book Fair, which connoisseurs deem the greatest book fair in the world, was a huge success, with a record 213 exhibitors- all members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers.  The attendance numbers were up from last year, and sales were strong.  Guests lined up Sunday with their own books to be appraised by the experts, and many interesting discoveries were made.  The New York Book Fair is a yearly highlight for book lovers of all kinds, from new to experienced collectors, museums, and dealers.  We are already looking forward to next year!"
          - Emily Christensen, Fair Director
 
"It seems like a new generation has discovered that rare books still represent the vital pulse of world culture. I've exhibited at the New York Book Fair for over twenty years, and this year's Fair, the biggest ever, puts the lie to all the whining about the impending death of the physical book. The fair was jammed with smart, sophisticated, and to a remarkable degree, young collectors."
         - Tom Congalton, Between the Covers Rare Books


"This year's NY Book Fair was officially the largest in the twenty-plus years we've served as manager--also the most successful in the past five years. Even though we expanded the show floor, we still weren't able to accommodate all the dealers off the waiting list. We will look forward to being able to accommodate the show's growth next year. Dealers and clients consider the New York Antiquarian Book Fair the finest show of its type. They are the ones who have helped establish the reputation of the New York Book Fair as truly the finest book fair in the world."
           - Sanford L. Smith
 
If you missed out this year, you can join us in 2013. Dates to be announced soon on nybookfair.com.