Since Brooklyn, NY, is a recognized hub of underground culture, this year’s Brooklyn Antiquarian Book Fair will focus on subculture and a number of new trends in book collecting, including magic, mysticism, witchcraft, underground fanzine culture and more.
The fair, which takes place at the Brooklyn Expo Center Sept. 7-8, features 110 dealers displaying over 50,000 items for sale. First-time and seasoned collectors can peruse vintage books, vernacular photography, rare paper, prints and ephemera.
One-of-a-kind items will be on display and for sale, such as a first edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, one of only 5,150 copies in wrappers. The Harry Potter books, seminars on collecting grimoires (spellbooks) and other interesting finds are designed to appeal to millennials.
“Our goal is to get people to start great collections one object at a time,” says Marvin Getman, the show organizer. “More and more people are understanding and appreciating the intrinsic value of finding an object that not only has a history but also appeals to who they are and what they stand for.”
Among the highlights:
Graphic novel Author Barbara Slate will be on hand both days for a book launch and signing of the second volume of the Mueller Report Graphic Novel.
One of the art exhibitions is entitled “One Day You’ll See: A History of Afrofuturism.” Afrofuturism is an umbrella term coined by culture critic Mark Drey to describe futuristic works by African American artists and writers.
Former Brooklynite A. N. Devers, now a resident of London, will showcase select works from her carefully curated collection. Devers is challenging long-held stereotypes in the rare book world as the female proprietor of The Second Shelf, a rare book business that focuses on women writers.
For more information, visit www.brooklynbookfair.com.
