For more than 40 years, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers and Antiquarian Booksellers of America have hosted the California International Antiquarian Book Fair. The event is rotated between San Francisco in odd numbered years and Los Angeles in even numbered years.
Antiquarian booksellers deal in rare and/or old forms of media, including books, prints, manuscripts, catalogues, photographs, brochures, maps, and autographed letters. The national and international organizations both subscribe to a code of ethics, which binds them to be honest in all facets of their trade, including authenticating their wares, giving fair prices in buying media, appraising books fairly, and never knowingly dealing in stolen property.
When in San Francisco, the Northern California Chapter of the ABAA sponsors the event at The
Concourse Exhibition Center. The California events are considered by some to be the biggest and best event in the international organization's calendar. More than 200 of the world's foremost antiquarian book dealers come together at the San Francisco event, which has also featured book arts and calligraphy demonstrations, special exhibits (like Hippie memorabilia), seminars, and a chance to speak with paper conservators, book artists, and book binders.
Some of the types of books that have been on display at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair include children's and illustrated books, photography books, fine binding sets, artist books, plate books, art books, and other types of rare media.
The California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco has grown so huge, that it takes up every inch of the entire city block The
Concourse Exhibition Center sits on. It takes place in February. The exhibition center is located at 635 Eighth Street.
