Next week we'll be taking a field trip (of sorts) to the Big Apple. The occasion? Only the biggest and best book fair in the world! If you'll be in the area, be sure to come and visit. You can also check out several other literary hotspots nearby.
The New York Antiquarian Book Fair
From April 3-6, 2014, you'll find exhibitors from around the world at the Park Avenue Armory. This year over 200 American and international dealers will attend the New York Antiquarian Book Fair, bringing with them an incredible assortment of rare books, manuscripts, maps, and ephemera. Sunday the 6th is Discovery Day, when you can bring your own items for expert advice and informal appraisals. The book fair is hosted by Sanford & Smith. We have a limited number of complimentary tickets; request one below. And be sure to stop by and see us in Booth A28!
The Grolier Club
Founded in 1884, the Grolier Club is New York's home for exceptional bibliophiles. The fellowship currently includes 800 members worldwide, all of whom are passionate about books and the graphic arts. Though membership is by invitation only, the Grolier Club offers free public exhibitions. Currently showing in the first-floor gallery is "American Little Magazines of the 1890's: A Revolution in Print." In the second-floor gallery you'll find "A Count with Taste, and Sticky Fingers," a retrospective on Count Guglielmo Libri, one of the most audacious book thieves of all time.
The Morgan Library and Museum
JP Morgan Jr gave his extraordinary library to the public in 1924. Since then, it's grown into a vital cultural center of New York. The Morgan Library & Museum includes not only an astonishing array of rare books and manuscripts, but also an extensive collection of art objects. Take a peek inside Morgan's library, office, and book vault before perusing the exhibits. Currently the Morgan celebrates the 100th anniversary of Marcel Proust's Swann's Way with a selection of the author's notebooks, drafts, and other documents. Another exhibition, "Degas, Miss La La, and the Cirque Fernando," brings together Degas' painting and nearly all the related preparatory works.
The Center for Book Arts
Since 1974, the Center for Book Arts has has been committed to the celebration and exploration of the book as an art form. The Center provides work spaces to book artists, along with classes and exhibits that are open to the public. Admission to the exhibits is free.You'll also find a lovely selection of fine press books made by the Center's artist members.
The Center for Fiction
Originally founded as the Mercantile Library in 1820, the Center for Fiction is the only organization in the United States solely devoted to the art and craft of fiction. Their mission is to encourage people to read, write, and appreciate fiction. The center puts on a variety of events throughout the year, from author roundtables to writing workshops. You'll also find a charming bookshop that offers new titles from emerging authors, along with an extensive selection of used books and even a rare books section.
New York Public Library
The Stephen Schwartzman building of the New York Public Library is a veritable institution of reading and learning. But NYPL locations all over New York offer a dizzying array of exhibitions and classes. Right now "Daring Methods: The Prints of Mary Cassatt" is on display at the Stephen A. Schwartzman building, while "Africans in India: From Slaves to Generals and Rulers" is on at the Schomberg Center. Check online for a complete listing of exhibitions and classes.
These are certainly not all the literary highpoints of New York City, but they're certainly not to be missed! What are your favorite bookish destinations in Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs of NYC?
