Empire State Rare Book & Print Fair Returns

Review and Onsite Photos by Caitlyn “Cat” Snell

NEW YORK CITY — On September 27-29, the City College of New York’s Great Hall was opened to collectors of every ilk as the second annual Empire State Rare Book and Print Fair gathered dealers from around the world. Beneath the soaring cathedral ceilings and the watchful eyes of Edwin H. Bashfield’s mural “the Graduate,” 32 exhibitors offered rare books, prints and ephemera throughout the weekend. With another 16 dealers vending virtually, the event offered a selection of items to catch any collector’s eye with a range of prices to match.

As the sun set on Friday, the grandness of the venue became more intimate. Waiters circled with canapés and drinks as collectors browsed the floor alongside representatives of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as Lehigh University and more. Sammy Jay from Peter Harrington Rare Books, London, said “We would consider the fair a success,” noting that they “sold a small number of high-end items” and saw “representatives from the Berg (NYPL), the Schomberg (NYPL), the Morgan and the Beinecke at the fair.”

There were many new collectors as well. One guest admitted that though they arrived at five, their draw initially was to attend the 6 pm book signing which featured Candace Bushnell, author of the autobiographical Sex and the City. This book signing, as well as talks featuring Lois Lowry and others are a part of the fair’s goal “to make book collecting accessible to a new generation of collectors.” Still, even as the live music of Brian Vander Ark began playing and the occasional dealer sang along, the highlight of the night was the items being offered.

Entering the hall, the doors opened on a row of vendors which demonstrated the immense range of prints being offered. At the first booth, Micheal Verne from the Verne Collection of Cleveland, Ohio, walked guests through a stunning array of Japanese prints that embodied “quiet elegance.” Among them were Daniel Kelly’s contemporary prints on handmade paper as well as the works of the prolific Hasui Kawase.

Beside Verne was the Old Print Shop, New York City, where a range of American art from the 1700s to present could be sampled. Robert Newman, co-owner, pointed out one notable piece, an Edward Savage engraving of the Washington Family published in 1798. This high end piece was displayed alongside the contemporary cityscapes of Martha Ives.

Alongside prints, there were dealers of books and ephemera including Seth Kaller of White Plains, N.Y., who, in addition to his dealer booth, was also putting on an exhibition at the back of the hall. A throughline of all Kaller’s items was an emphasis on the great figures of American history. One item from his booth that exemplified this was a 1789 letter from George Washington to Fredrick Phile. This letter was written while the votes of the election were still being counted. In the letter, Washington, who did not yet know he was victorious, affirms his standard of “justice and public good.”

Beyond Washington, Kaller’s exhibit, “The Promise of Liberty,” proposed an America that is “constantly being founded.” The exhibit widened the concept of founders to include Jesse Owens, Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King, Jr, and displayed documents and items from their contributions to history. Here, artifacts stood in conversation with one another as visitors exchanged opinions, stories and their own memories of history being made.

Outside of American history, the fair also featured international dealers and offerings. Sammy Jay from Peter Harrington Rare Books of London showed many hot-ticket items including a jazz book given to the Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts by Mick Jagger. Among other high interest items was a first edition 1964 copy of Grapefruit by Yoko Ono. This copy of the first printing, which was limited to 500 copies, was additionally inscribed by Ono to the composer, Ann McMillian.

Hugo Rijpma from Artem Rare Books also traveled far to show his wares. Hailing from The Hague, Netherlands, Rijpma is a new dealer on this particular scene, though he is no newcomer to the industry. Having worked as a specialist with another dealer, Rijpma struck out independently only two and a half years ago, though the quality of his showcase would not betray the fact. Of the items he brought, a rare copy of an 1847 French petition for the end of slavery was one that he believed would garner much interest. The document, by the French Society for the Abolition of Slavery, was, according to Rijpma, the “only blank one in the world” with the only other known copy being in the national library of France and containing signatures.

Dealer Michael Sekik from Librairie of Paris, France, showed a collection of original 1965 photos of the Hells Angels signed by photographer Bill Ray. Taken for Life magazine, these photos were never published and showed the Angels riding, living and getting arrested. In contrast to Sekik’s full selection, another Parisian dealer Conspiration | Éditions had only one book on their table, a 22-3/8 by 26¼ inch reproduction of the Eighteenth Century Cassini Map. Production of this expansive map of France began in 1746 and is believed to have been completed in 1796. Anne Ferré explained how the binding of the limited edition reproduction took years to perfect and that the map is for sale this year, for the first time.

Micheal Steinbach brought from Vienna, Austria, a “little bit of everything,” hoping to appeal to the diverse taste of the New York City crowds. Among his visually tantalizing booth was a 1460 leaf of the Catholicon that had been printed on the Gutenberg Printing Press. Nearby, Jeanott Barr of Northport, N.Y., had an array of eye-catching prints. Having recently acquired a collection from the estate of textile artist Arthur Litt, Barr had more than 1,000 original gouache paintings of Litt’s patterns.

Another eye-catching booth was Walnut Street Paper from Kutztown, Penn., where co-owners, Alexis and George Sirrakos offered “graphically interesting” pieces. These included a display of ephemera regarding Lynne O’Neil, a late 1940s burlesque entrepreneur, who, after her shows, would sell a variety of merchandise from calendars to garters.

Other dealers revealed that one should not judge a book by its cover. Richard Mori from Franklin, N.H., showed hidden treasure could be found in an 1891 Book of Praise, in which a fore-edge painting of a 1893 Charles Duyea “gasoline automobile” was visible when viewed from a specific angle. Another purveyor of the unassuming, Elizabeth Kelly-Griswold of Bluemango Books and Manuscripts, New Hope, Penn., had an array of early American source documents, each which contained a story beyond the narrative. An 1802 copy of The Narrative of the Indian Wars of New England held one such treasure. Originally owned by the Gardiner family that owned Gardiners Island off the coast of Long Island, this book revealed a Paul Revere bookplate.

With variety in offerings, dealers and clientele, the second annual Empire Rare Book and Print Fair proved a success, with more than 1,000 attendees over the weekend. Fine Book Fair founders Eve and Edward Lemon said, “Despite the appalling weather, we think that the fair was a success.” On preview night, Edward said that the fair was “designed from the perspective of collectors” and was meant to be “fun, social and all about building relationships.” Attendees and dealers were happy all around, as young collectors found a welcoming atmosphere and veterans to the trade described their happiness at a fall New York City rare book fair to balance the big rare book fairs of the spring.

For more information on future Fine Book Fair events, www.finefairs.com.

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