Philadelphia Rare Book Fair Returns December 7 - 9
Browsing at Fine Books Fairs' debut 'Empire State Rare Book & Print Fair' in New York earlier this year
The Philadelphia Rare Book Fair will be held in Trinity Memorial Church at 2212 Spruce Street in downtown Philadelphia. The historic space which will be transformed into a haven for bibliophiles, with more than 25 exhibitors from across the USA coming to display a broad range of books and ephemera.
The fair begins on December 7 with a preview party with cocktails and canapes from 5pm to to 8pm (tickets $50). The second annual fair, which is free and open to the public, will run on December 8 (11am – 6pm) and December 9 (11am – 5pm).
Members of the public can bring their books to be appraised for free by Cynthy Buffington and David Szewczyk of Philadelphia Rare Books and Manuscripts.
This year the fair will showcase thousands of beautiful and rare books, prints, works on paper, and ephemera from around the globe. Exceptional examples that will be offered include a first British edition of The Great Gatsby in rare dust jacket for $125,000.
In conjunction with the fair, attendees can attend talks by University of Pennsylvania law professor Kermit Roosevelt on book banning, local author Steven Ujifusa on his new book The Last Ships from Hamburg (Harper Collins, 2023) and listen to talks by Kelsey Scouten-Bates (John. C. Haas Director of The Rosenbach), Harriett's Bookshop owner Jeannine Cook, Curator of Special Collections at the Winterthur Museum Allie Alvis, and Darren Winston (Director of auction house Freeman’s).
Eve and Edward Lemon founded Fine Books Fairs in 2022. “As a Millennial couple, we wanted to breathe new life into the world of book collecting by making it fun, inviting, accessible and entertaining,” said Mrs. Lemon. “While technology reigns supreme, there is a growing population of younger enthusiasts who have discovered a passion for books and collecting. Our fairs allow people to not only explore their passion for books, but also enjoy the entire experience.”
Exhibitors include: Old Editions Bookshop; Jeffrey Bergman Books; Christopher's Rare Books; Bluemango Rare Books and Manuscripts; Captain Ahab's Rare Books; Kevin Sell; The Rare Book Sleuth; Stan Gorski; Between the Covers; Walnut Street Paper; Brenner's Collectable Books; First Place Books; B&B Rare Books; McKittrick Rare Books; Yesterday's Muse; Lizzy Young Bookseller; Zoe Abrams Rare Books; Capitol Hill Books; Bauman Rare Books; Back Creek Books; Vintage Books and Fine Art; Haec City / Also Books; Mori Books; MacManus and Company; Cleveland Book Company,; Jeannot Barr Prints; and Timeless Tales Rare Books.
