Teen Review: 52nd California International Antiquarian Book Fair

February 16, 2019 Ronnie Sharpe

I went into the California Antiquarian Book Fair excited at the prospects of seeing such important historical books, but was worried that it was going to be a slow paced event filled with snobbish dealers trying to sell overpriced books. Instead, I was faced with a lively event filled with young people like myself who were pationate about history and more than willing to share and let me touch their most prized books. Everybody was friendly and it was filled with some of the most beautiful books I have ever seen in my life! Some of the highlights included an original copy of Newton’s Optics, a display devoted entirely to Chinese’s propaganda, another to Native American emphemera (disposables like gum wrappers and pins), and a stand staffed by two lovely Japanese women selling mini portraits depicting Japanese men and women (I bought one pictures above).

Sophie Duryee