RIT Press to co-sponsor Antiquarian Book Fair

Book, antique, art and photography collectors join for annual fair at Main Street Armory

RIT Press, the scholarly publishing enterprise at Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Rochester Area Booksellers Association will co-sponsor the 44th annual Rochester Antiquarian Book Fair Sept. 10 in downtown Rochester.

The event is the oldest continually running regional Antiquarian Book Fair in the United States, with about 50 exhibitors and dealers from the States and Canada. In addition to rare and antiquarian books, collectors can expect to find a wide array of secondhand titles, scholarly texts, prints, maps, posters, rare photos, photography gear and collectible ephemera from a broad variety of subjects.

The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Main Street Armory in downtown Rochester, N.Y. Admission to the book fair is $5 and is free to all students who present a current student ID. Advertisements in local publications can be redeemed the day of the fair for discount admission.

“Personally, I like to attend on the chance that stuff I look for might turn up,” said Bruce Austin, director of RIT Press. “And it does. One year, for instance, I bought a very nice Roycroft picture frame in mint original condition that was very modestly priced.”

Additionally, the book fair features readings by local poets whose books will be available for sale, as well as live music and book signings. For the first time, displays of special collections libraries will be presented, including feature selections from the RIT Press catalogue of books on type, printing and the history of the book.

RIT Press is the scholarly book publishing enterprise at RIT—dedicated to the innovative use of new publishing technology while upholding high standards in content quality, publication design and print/digital production. The press offers specialized titles for niche academic audiences, trade editions for mass-market audiences and occasional limited editions with unique aesthetic standards.

The 10-member Rochester Area Booksellers Association (RABA) aims to preserve the local book community and provide quality books to the readers and collectors of the area.

For more information about the fair, visit rochesterbooksellers.com or call Jonathan Smalter (of Yesterday’s Muse Books) at 585-265-9295.


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