The Complete Novels of Jane Austen, bound in contemporary three quater calf over marbled boards, gilt decorated spines with leather labels, top edges gilt. American, 1899. Approx. 7″ tall. Manhattan Rare Book Co., Gallery 90/212.326.8907
Book lovers, rejoice! The best time of the year for collector-bibliophiles is upon us: The New York Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the Park Avenue Armory today, April 9, through Sunday, April 12. Widely considered the best book fair in the world, the exhibition features over 200 of the top American and international dealers in the market, including The Manhattan Art & Antique Center’s Manhattan Rare Book Company, exhibiting at Booth A28 near the Hall Entrance. Manhattan Rare Book Co. specialzies in rare books and first editions in art, history, science, and literature, such as this exquisitely bound 12-volume set of the perennially-beloved Jane Austen. If you believe as Ms. Austen wrote that “there is no enjoyment like reading,” you won’t want to miss perusing this vetted collection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, illuminated manuscripts and ephemera.
First Edition Trade Seven Pillars of Wisdom, full ocher morocco with binder’s stamp of Sangorski & Sutcliffe / Zaehnsdorf, gilt design on front board, marbled enpapers, gilt dentelles, all edges gilt. England, 1935. Manhattan Rare Book Co. Gallery 90/212.326.8907
Collectors should be sure not to miss Discovery Day, held on Sunday, the last day of the Fair, when attendees are allowed to bring five items for a rare chance to discuss their finds with the top experts in the antiquarian book trade. Exhibitors will offer informal appraisals, discuss authenticity and condition of the manuscripts. Past Discovery Days have yielded some incredible finds: “including part of a Shakespeare second folio of Richard III, and a first edition of the classic Beat novel, On the Road…valued at $5000-$7000.” With the antiquarian book trade still buzzing over last year’s bonanza discovery of a potential original Shakespeare’s dictionary, discovery excitement is at all-time high in the book world; it’s a good time to be a book lover! Contact Manhattan Rare Book Co. HERE if you’re searching for a particular work in advance of the Fair.
First Edition of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, exquisitely bound by Baytun Riviere with full polished crushed morocco, gilt stamped portrait of Dickens, gilt stamped signature of Dickens, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. England, 1870.
Daily fair admission $25/show run $40. Thurs 5-9pm, Fri noon-8pm, Sat noon-7pm, Sun noon-5pm. Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave at 67th St.
