Join fellow book lovers at the Pasadena Convention Center on February 10 – 12 for the 55th California International Antiquarian Book Fair! This three-day event features fine and rare materials from around the globe, including manuscripts, modern first editions, children’s books, ephemera, maps and autographs, as well as antiquarian books on a vast array of topics.
This year’s event promises a diverse mix of special collection exhibits highlighting a range of noteworthy topics, such as:
Pushing the Envelope: Southern California Women Bookmakers
This exhibit poses the question “What is bookness?” and features books made by Southern California women letterpress printers, calligraphers and binders. It is curated by renowned bookmaking and artist book expert Kitty Maryatt, who is also the former Director of Scripps College Press.
What the Hell is Ukulele Literature?
This exhibit will attempt to answer this question by featuring 170 years of books and ephemera dealing with the diminutive instrument from its little-known Madeiran roots to its current status as an international phenomenon.
The Game’s Afoot: Collecting Sherlock Holmes
The Ned Guymon Collection of Mystery and Detective Fiction at Occidental College is one of the world’s largest in the genre. This exhibition will focus on the collection’s Sherlock Holmes holdings, with first-edition books, magazines and rare, fascinating ephemera.
Helen Brown: Bibliophile and Champion of West Coast Cuisine
Learn about one of THE original foodies, Helen Brown. You can check out the renowned food writer’s inscribed materials and correspondence with fellow iconic food writer M.F.K. Fisher.
Additional Book Fair Information
- Date: February 10 – 12, 2023
- Time:
February 10 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.- February 11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- February 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Pasadena Convention Center (300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA)
- Admission:
- FREE admission for students with current valid student ID. Children 12 and under are free.
- FREE admission for librarians, curators and related non-profit cultural institution workers who register in advance (here) with a valid organizational email address (e.g. email@institution.edu or email@institution.org).
- General: February 10: $25 (VIP Ticket) / February 11: $15 / February 12: $10
For more information, please visit abaa.org/cabookfair.
Please note: This event is NOT hosted by The Claremont Colleges Library.