Lexington, MA Celebrates Patriots Day Weekend With Antique Books and Fine Ephemera, April 17
Lexington, MA, March 16, 2016 - It is no coincidence that this event, featuring world-class antique books and important works on paper, is happening in America's most historically important town, Lexington, MA! The Boston Book and Ephemera Fair will take place at Minuteman Regional Technical High School, 758 Marrett Rd. (Rt. 2A), Lexington, MA, on Sunday, April 17th - just a day before Patriot's Day on the 18th! It is the first time that this family-friendly and exciting annual event will be held at this convenient and easy-to-navigate venue.
The Boston Book and Ephemera Fair features 50 top-tier dealers specializing in a full spectrum of antique books and quality ephemera. Ephemera are items made from paper that were not made to stand the test of time, and have since become collectible. Popular ephemera categories include correspondence, advertising, historical documents, posters, tickets, brochures, cards, and others. Many dealers at this show are members of Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers, a professional society advocating the study, preservation, and celebration of fine books and ephemera in a wide range of specialties.
Attending this show is like touring a world-class history museum and experiencing time travel simultaneously! And the fine mix of dealers and their incredible merchandise selections insure that there are just the right finds for everyone. A dramatic show highlight would have to include a small piece of wallpaper removed from the booth in Ford's Theatre after Lincoln was assassinated. And collectors interested in Shaker history will find a c. 1900 sheet of decals used on Mt. Lebanon, NY Shaker chairs and three c. 1850 Enfield, NH Shaker seed packets quite moving.
Visitors who also call Lexington home - or are fascinated with the town's critical role in the Revolutionary War - will find volumes of interesting materials at this fair. A ship's registration, signed by then Governor John Hancock, attesting that the boat is not owned by British subjects, will undoubtedly hold water with many attendees. A 1902 pamphlet from the Lexington Historical Society entitled Guide Book to the Hancock-Clarke House, and a 1946 pamphlet of Helen Clark Fernald's Sketches of Old Lexington will render the past to life in the most authentic ways possible. And a 1915 program from an event entitled Pageant of Lexington, Commemorating a Century of Peace between the United States and England in aid of the American Red Cross, just might set off fireworks with local history buffs. This century-old time capsule also features advertisements from area merchants and services of the time.
According to Marvin Getman, producer of The Boston Book and Ephemera Fair, "I am delighted to welcome first time and repeat attendees to this can't miss show. Collectors and enthusiasts will appreciate our new venue in Lexington, which is conveniently located, welcoming and accessible, and offers ample free parking. Our sponsors, Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers, will have visually stunning antique books and ephemera on display and available for purchase. If extraordinary vintage books or printed paper materials have ever caught your eye, I would strongly encourage you to attend this event. You just may leave with a new collecting passion!"
The Boston Book and Ephemera Fair will be held at the Minuteman Regional Technical High School, 758 Marrett Rd. (Route 2A), Lexington, MA, on Sunday, April 17th from 10am to 4pm. There is plenty of free parking. Tickets at the door are $8; students with ID and children 18 and under accompanied by and adult are free. For additional information, please see www.bookandpaperfairs.com
The Boston Book and Ephemera Fair is sponsored by the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers association and brought to you by Book and Paper Fairs. Book and Paper Fairs produced the top book and ephemera fairs in the Northeast US. Our professionally managed events have a long history of bringing together the finest buyers and sellers in the industry, and are held in major locations including Boston, New York City, Brooklyn, Concord, NH, and Lexington, MA. For more information and a complete calendar of our shows, please see www.bookandpaperfairs.com.
Images: c. 1850 Enfield, NH Shaker seed packets, from DeWolfe and Wood. 1915 Pageant of Lexington, Commemorating a Century of Peace between the United States and England in aid of the American Red Cross, from Peter Masi Books.
