What to See at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair

The 52nd annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair will be held April 12–15 at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue at 67th Street, in New York City. The New York Vintage Book & Ephemera Fair (the ‘Shadow Show’) runs the same weekend, on the 13–14 at the Altman Building, 135 W. 18th Street.

The Raab Collection of Philadelphia will offer several important historical documents in New York, one of which is the official authorization to ratify the Treaty of Paris between Britain and France that was to end the Napoleonic Empire. Signed by Prince George on June 11, 1814, while Napoleon was safely exiled in Elba, it was, of course, not really the end. Napoleon made a final stand in 1815 before his defeat at Waterloo. The price is $60,000.

Second Story Books of Washington, D.C., is bringing a French and Latin Book of Hours manuscript. Catholic, possibly Benedictine, the manuscript is illuminated on vellum. It was made in Paris in the fifteenth century, and is now in a later binding with clasp ends. Formerly owned by collector Brantz Mayer (1809–1879). The price is $40,000.

Maine bookseller Priscilla Juvelis is bringing Fizzles/Foirades, an artist’s book with thirty-three original etchings by Jasper Johns and five texts by Samuel Beckett, signed by both men on the colophon. The texts were first published in 1972 in French, and in 1974 Beckett translated them into English for this edition and gave them to Johns, who created the etchings and proofed and printed them by hand in 1975 and 1976. Juvelis calls it “a stunning book which is a cornerstone of any modern livre de peintre collection.” One of 250 copies, the price is $35,000.

Between the Covers of Gloucester City, New Jersey, has an extremely rare first edition of the first African poet to be published in Europe. Juan Latino’s Ad Catholicum, et Invictissimum Philippum Dei Gratia Hispaniarum Regem… published in Grenada in 1576. This is the author’s second work. Say the booksellers: “The only Juan Latino first edition we have ever seen on the market.” The price is $55,000.

Seth Kaller, Inc., of White Plains, New York, put together a major catalogue of Washington, Revolutionary War, and Founding items for the NY book fair. One principal piece is an exceptional letter written by George Washington during the first two weeks of his presidency. Writing to two ministers, he thanks them for their support and offers hope of “a wise and efficient government” for the United States. The price is $295,000.