Sunday, February 22, 2015

Antiquarian Book News


Cambridge Bookfair: February 20/21 2015

The well-beloved event will take place on Friday and Saturday 20/21 February from 12-6 pm Friday, 10-5 pm on Saturday at The Guildhall in Cambridge's city centre.

Between 80 and 85 PBFA booksellers will be in attendance, bringing the usual exciting mix of stock. Jim Blesset will have a rare English Civil War pamphlet and Neil Summersgill a signed copy of "Recollections of Captain Oates", renowned Antarctic explorer, to name but a couple. Tickets can be downloaded from www.pbfa.org and further highlights can be viewed there.

All are welcome, disabled access is possible and there will be the usual superb catering, so no need to leave the building once you arrive!

Sarah Key and Phil Salin
Fair Managers
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What A Donation!

A collection of rare books valued at $300 million has been donated to Princeton University. The collection is the largest gift ever received by the university. The gift was made by William H. Scheide, a philanthropist who died in November at age 100. Scheide graduated from Princeton in 1936.

The collection includes a Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare's first, second, third and fourth folios; the original printing of the Declaration of Independence; George Washington's 1754 "Journal," his first appearance in print; Paul Revere's "Bloody Massacre" engraving from March 1770; autographed items from Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant; early accounts of voyages to the New World; and autographed music manuscripts of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and Wagner.
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Edgbaston Book Fair

PBFAOn Saturday 28th February booksellers return to Birmingham at the MAC to offer a selection of rare, out of print and interesting antiquarian books for sale.

The PBFA celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2014 and in healthy middle age is pleased to be returning to Birmingham with members from around the country. Members will bring antiquarian books – (pre-1850), academic books, children's books and collectable books such as modern first editions.

Amongst items of local interest, a 1906 poster for the Bordesley Palace Theatre will be offered. The poster, advertising various artists, features a screening of the:

"Replayed Cup Tie Birmingham v Tottenham Hotspur – A portion of this important match and other pictures of interest on the American Bioscope".

This was their first season as Birmingham, having previously played under the name Small Heath. The replay was played exactly 108 years ago from the date of the fair. Birmingham were winners after extra time with goals from Green and Mounteney. Large crowds had seen Birmingham progress from the first round beating Preston North End, the second round beating Stoke City away and eventually going out to Newcastle United away after yet another replay. The item is offered by Black Cat Bookshop priced at £120.

The bookfair is open on Saturday 28th February from 10am to 4pm at the MAC, Cannon Hill Park B12 9QH, with free admission, free parking and café and bar facilities. Enquiries 01562 745060
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The Tiniest Books


Binghamton University is displaying tiny books in a Miniature Book Exhibit in the Glenn G. Bartle Library. The exhibit, in the Special Collections room on the second floor of Bartle, is now open to the public. The room is lined with miniature books — classified as a book measuring at most 10 centimetres in height — in glass cases, accompanied by panels of information about the books, their authors and the history of book binding and printing.

According to the curator of the rare books in the Special Collections department, miniature book printing started shortly after printing was invented as a way for bookmakers to show off their skill. The smaller the book, the more skills were needed as tinier typing, illustrations and bindings were required. She said the small size of the book not only boasted skill, but was also practical as it made it easy to carry the books around. This is where the term ‘pocketbook’ comes from.

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