By Victoria Gaffney
The Washington Antiquarian Book Fair is a haven for bibliophiles. The fair, which boasts anywhere from 65 to over 70 exhibitors, is in its 40th year and will be held on March 6 and 7 this year. Rare books, maps and other antique book-related items will abound at this distinctive literary fair.
Books will cover a wide range of styles and genres. Beth Campbell, who heads the fair, says that books can vary anywhere from 19th-century French literature to medical or law books. Attendees can carry on intellectual conversations with exhibitors, which Beth says can be “like having your own personal docent.” These discussions and connections are what the fair is all about.
In addition to an endless display of unique books, this year the fair is hosting fascinating lectures and demonstrations by some of the region’s most book-centric enthusiasts and scholars.
One of the lecturers, will be giving a lecture called“Real and Imagined: Encyclopedias from Diderot to Borges.” The content stems from a discovery she made at the Library of Congress: two versions of an encyclopedia by German artists. No ordinary encyclopedias, these are about an imaginary place created by Argentinian writer Jorge Louis Borges in his short story “The Second Coming of Tlon.” This discovery prompted Curren to explore Denis Diderot’s encyclopedia, the first of its kind developed in the Western world, and conduct research on invented encyclopedias, which Campbell explains is actually fairly common. Her lecture will look at how these texts can reveal a lot about the way we live and about ourselves.
Jill Deiss, founder of Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding, will be doing some sewing at her booth, which children always like to see. She will be doing two demonstrations called a “Duo Demo,” a literary play on the word for a particular size of book, a duodecimo.
One part will focus on the restoration of leather book spines while the other will concentrate on constructing new covers from cloth. She’s hoping her demos will give the audience a feel for “what’s under the hood on books” and how they get put together. Deiss’ passion is sure to engage her audience; she feels strongly that books are here to stay. Despite advances in technology and the advent of the ebook, she feels that there will always be a need for a bound book too.
Dan Paterson of the Library of Congress will also be giving a lecture, and attendees will be able to receive casual appraisals by Allan Stypeck of Second Story Books, Jeffrey Marks and Paul Collinge—“Antiques Roadshow” style. Campbell explains that the fair is seeking to draw a younger audience too. “There are young people in this area that really care about preservation and history and the art of a good story,” she says.
Book and reading enthusiasts will find this fair, with its extensive rare book collection and engaging conversations, intellectually stimulating and enriching. As Curren explains, discussing books, encyclopedias and knowledge is important because “reading is everything,” and as the old saying goes, knowledge is power.
Ticket Information (March 6 & 7):
Friday 5-9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Both days, $14; Saturday only, $8
Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge
1900 N. Fort Myer Drive
Arlington, 22209
703-807-2000
