With the demise of Papermania, the Allentown Book and Paper Show has taken an undisputed lead as the major show of its kind on the east coast. It started in the 1970s, more of an antique and flea market operation, I’ve been told. But I didn’t begin shopping it until the early 2000s, every two or three years as time and schedule would allow. I exhibited there once or twice early on, but at the time it seemed like too much of a schlep for the money. I had more fun standing in that long line with all my colleagues, burning through the building, then leaving 6 hours later in total exhaustion, usually with a good manuscript or logbook under my arm. Then this year, old friend John Thomson of Bartleby’s Books asked me if I wanted to share a booth, and I said, Sure! (Portrait sequence courtesy of Stacy Waldman, House of Mirth Photos)
And am I glad I did! The buying was terrific.
In the bustling Goodwill shop down the mini mall from my motel, I snagged a pre-worn pair of Levis, just my size, and two excellent summer shirts, certainly $75 or more retail, a mere $25 for me.
Then, in the Farmer’s Market, the terrific food court next to the Allentown venue, I discovered High Oaks distillery, and was able to purchase a most excellent rye whiskey for only $40.
Not to mention the Vietnamese food stall where I snagged the best chicken pho I think I’ve ever had!
But seriously, folks. The buying – the serious buying of manuscripts, documents, and ephemeral items – was more or less a bust, even though I was in the hall at setup on Friday morning and scouted throughout the day. I bought a few things, including this rare steamship card advertising reduced rates for the ride from New York to Aspinwall, (Colon, Panama) or all the way to San Francisco during the Gold Rush. Customers would have to find their own way across the Isthmus. The card has contemporary manuscript annotations in two hands. The first, probably semi-official, is written in black ink. It notes new reduced rates. The second, at the top of the card on the verso, is written in pencil. “Crossing the isthmus with baggage 200 / without ten to 12 00”
So, I bought a few thousand, sold a few thousand. Got some “old friends” out of my basement forever, and had a good time hanging out with actual old friends and making a few new ones. It’s a good show, and it seems there are several dealers worth getting to know a little better. I’ll do it again, and I’m willing to believe this this might just have been an off year for whaling logs and China Trade ledgers.
A couple of observations:
18th and 19th century manuscript material (with the exception of Civil War diaries, letters, and official documents, which have always been a big part of this show) was in short supply. Manuscripts seem to me to have largely been replaced by photographic images of all sorts. And African Americana grows stronger every year.
The second observation I can’t remember at the moment. It had something to do with the demographics, maybe that there were more young people in the aisles, but I’m too tired to think about it anymore. Six and a half hour drive in heavy traffic from Allentown to Gloucester. With the price of gas where it is right now (Thanks, Donald), wouldn’t you think people would stay home? I’m going to bed now.
Leave a Reply