Antiquarian Book Fair to showcase well-loved books, also historical treasures

TORONTO, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - Collectors, book lovers and curious people everywhere will have an opportunity to browse among, and purchase fine, rare and valuable books and related material at the 2010 Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair.

The book fair happens October 29 to 31 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  Distinguished booksellers from England, France, Germany and the Netherlands will join dealers from the USA and Canada.  Nearly fifty dealers in all will have for sale thousands of antiquarian books, as well as first editions by modern authors, fine illustrated books, historically important documents, maps, prints and rare volumes dating back to the 15^th century.

A sample of the works that booksellers will have at the fair reveals an incredible range of interests and subjects.  Donald Heald Rare Books, New York, specializes in botany, ornithology and natural history.  He recently sent word to fair organizers that he's bringing Birds of America in 7 Volumes, by John James Audubon, published 1844.  Among Natural History scholars it has become known as "Audubon's Great National Work."

Children's Literature is one specialty of Paul Foster Books, London, England.  Foster has a set of four Winnie the Pooh first editions, including House at Pooh Corner, all four signed by A.A. Milne.  He's also bringing a first edition of Anne Sewell's Black Beauty.  In the same category, David Mason Books, Toronto, a leader in the Canadian antiquarian book trade, has a copy of the first Canadian edition of L. Frank Baum's Road to Oz.

Crime fiction is another popular genre.  London England dealer, Adrian Harrington, considered one of the world's leading experts on James Bond, the books, and their author Ian Fleming will have Bond books in Toronto, among them The Complete James Bond Novels in One Edition.  He's also bringing a 1902 first edition of Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles.

A number of dealers specialize in historically important documents and volumes.  Librairie Bonheur d'Occasion from Montreal will present a collection of rare pamphlets relating to Louis Riel.  Donald Heald Rare Books, New York, has found a first edition copy of George Vancouver's 1798 publication of A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean.  Maggs Bros. Ltd., London, England will offer for sale an important 2 page manuscript relating to the North American fur trade:  A contract between Nicolas Perrot, then Seigneur of Riviere du Loup, and two voyageurs, also named, which outlines a two year expedition for fur trading, with the conditions of their employment, their provisions, and recompense, signed by all three, and dated July 1688.

Only a very brief sample, but this list of works indicates the exceptional range and variety that visitors to the book fair will experience.  The book fair will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, north building, 255 Front Street, W.  Opening night is Friday, October 29 from 5pm until 9pm.  The fair continues Saturday from 11am until 6:30pm and Sunday, from 12 noon until 5pm.  Admission is $15.  Visitors can register for an admission discount by visiting the official web site of the show, www.torontoantiquarianbookfair.com.  The web site contains a wealth of information about the fair, its participants, and the treasures they're bringing to Toronto.

For further information:

Contact:
Jeff Gadsden
TIABF Marketing and Publicity
[email protected]
1-800-667-0619