The Brooklyn Books, Art, Photos and Design Expo
Greenpoint, Brooklyn NY—August 2015—More than 140 dealers from 21 states and two foreign countries will display their books, fine prints, art, photos, modern design and ephemera, at the Brooklyn Books, Art, Photos and Design Expo (BrooklynBAPD) on September 19 and 20, 2015. Building on the success of last year’s blockbuster event, the second annual BrooklynBAPD will unfold at the Brooklyn Expo Center, a dramatic year-old, glass-walled venue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Expo Center’s soaring windows and light-filled space is a contemporary backdrop for the time-honored books and collectibles that will be juxtaposed with the modern architecture. In addition to the exciting range of booths and dealers, the Lewis Carroll Society of North America will host two readings from Alice in Wonderland to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the celebrated classic at the organization’s booth each day at 1 pm and 3 pm.
The range of dealers will be fun and intriguing, from rare signed books to autographed publicity photos to fine art prints. The experience is like visiting your favorite museum and discovering that not only is everything on display but it is also for sale. Start your holiday shopping now.
Richard Minsky, a fascinating character who founded the Center for Book Arts in NY, will host an exhibit based on his book The Art of the American Book Cover 1875-1930. To add texture to the experience, he will also give a talk and host an author book signing so browsers can buy and take home his work. The covers featured in his book illustrate a range of striking art styles.
21st Editions, the Art of the Book will host a major exhibit showcasing a magnificent collection of limited edition books of the works of 25 known artist/photographers. Two New York artists, Michael Murray and Sheila Metzner, will meet and greet at the 21st Editions exhibit from 2 pm to 4 pm on Saturday.
Justin Schiller of Battledore Ltd. will change gears for the whole family with original illustration art from classic children’s books: Ludwig Bemelmans, Madeleine; Edward Gorey, Penny Candy; Marge, Little Lulu; Charles Schulz, Peanuts comic strip; and (5) Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are; Garth Williams, Little House on the Prairie.
Meanwhile, Roy Young will treat Warhol aficionados to a display of the first edition of Gerard Malanga’s Screen Tests / A Diary (with Andy Warhol). The book is a compilation of Warhol's photographic portraits of visitors to his studio called The Factory. It is a nearly perfect copy of one of the most fragile and hard-to-find Warhol books.
The list goes on with a signed copy of Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, also numbered (192 of 250) with vellum-backed grey beveled boards and gilt stamping, brought to the show by Arte Y Graphia of Spain. In addition, Arte Y Grafia will showcase an elegant album of 50 hand-colored photographs, including scenes near Yokohama, Tokyo and Kamkura as well as theater, cherry blossoms, tea houses and geishas.
The New York Book Department will bring the first deluxe edition of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, signed and inscribed to writer Aida Rodman De Milt by Gibran in 1926, bound in full blue imitation leather and printed in a larger format.
And it is not all books. The list keeps growing but among the plans:
- Shubertiade Music will bring Andy Warhol’s signed Brooklyn Bridge Centennial Poster; a set of The Beatles autographs on a signed sheet; and a rare piece of sheet music signed by Jack Norworth. (1879 - 1959), composer of Take Me Out to the Ball-Game written in 1908.“ A true piece of Americana, one of only a few signed copies we have seen.
- Boston Rare Maps will bring a seminal map of New York City by Great Britain’s most important military engineers, ca 1775.
- And a signed photograph of Nina Simone, (1933-2003), a Maurice Seymour Colpix Records publicity photograph, showing Simone in a head and shoulders pose is a gem and difficult to find.
- Art deco fans will love the booth of Art from The Attic showcasing a large collection of Bakelite jewelry and fruit knife sets. In addition several dealers will be showing a large selection of vintage and mid-century jewelry and accessories.
With so much to see, The Expo takes time to explore. Show hours are 11 am- 7 pm Saturday, September 19th, and 11 am - 5 pm on Sunday September 20th. The new Brooklyn Expo Center is located at 79 Franklin St. in Greenpoint, a neighborhood full of art galleries and cafes. It is easily accessible from the G line subway at Greenpoint station and the East River Ferry at India St. terminal. Admission is $10 and free for children under 12. Visit brooklynantiquesandbookfair.com for more information or to purchase advance tickets. Visitors can sign up at the website for updates and a $5 discount towards a weekend pass. BrooklynBAPD is produced by Marvin Getman of Impact Events Group of Lexington, Massachusetts.
First image: Signed and Inscribed copy of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, from New York Book Department, Tarrytown, NY.
Second image: Archive from the 1963 March on Washington, from Boston Rare Maps, Southampton, MA.
