A Visit to International Antiquarian Book Fair & Paper Show
I had the privilege to attend the 51st California International Antiquarian Book Fair, which took place at state of the art Pasadena Convention Center in February 2018. Book fairs provide platforms where readers and book lovers can get thousands of types of books. The California International Antiquarian Book Fair is recognized as one of the world’s largest exhibition of ancient books and features a collection from over 200 booksellers from around the world. Being a bookworm, it is always exciting to be in an event full of a diverse group of publishers and booksellers. A book is a source of information.
The book fair was indeed an exhibition to watch. There were three halls with each hall being segmented into stalls managed by respective exhibitors. Thousands of book lovers attended the Book Fair, and based on the massive presence of security officers; I could tell that security was tight. We had to stand in line to enter the fair. Just by looking, one could say that all sorts of books were on display and for sale. The bookstalls were well organized and busy with people selling and buying, and each stall had the information about the exhibitor and materials on sale. Besides the stalls, there were some canteens and entertainment spots for the book enthusiasts.
Besides the Book Fair, there was a special exhibit of Mary Shelley’s most famous work Frankenstein novel marking its 200th anniversary since its publication. Did you know Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is considered the first horror novel? I got to learn about Shelley’s work and her influence on literature and popular culture, as well as to inspire a whole genre of horror stories and movies. Since it was my first time hearing about the English revolutionary novelist, I purchased the novel, Frankenstein, since I felt inspired to learn the elements of the gothic novel and Romantic Movement.
As a book lover, I had an exciting opportunity of interacting with a vast collection of rare books and treasures from over 200 exhibitors that tell fascinating stories. Most of the exhibitors belonged to the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and the International Language of Antiquarian Booksellers. It was exciting to learn and preview through volumes of reading materials and original manuscripts, some dated over five centuries ago. There were all sorts of books available representing every imaginable area of interest; from classic literature, early science and medicine, modern first editions, arts, children’s and illustrated books to the history of travel and exploration.
While every stall was impressive, what attracted me the most was the seminars and panels. It was exciting to be part of a lively discussion of panelists exploring the impact of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel on literature, films, and pop culture. I got to learn so much about Mary Shelley and her works. Also, I learned how to be an excellent book collector from a crash course seminar by booksellers Carol Sandberg and Brad Johnson, who have a specialization in Library Science and Rare Books.
By the end of the fair, I had purchased several books of my preference and felt excited and satisfied with the experience. The whole experience was pleasant and memorable for me, and I think for everyone who attended.