Saturday, March 10, 2012

Book fair: Flappers at The Coliseum!

What a delight to see a return of flappers to The Coliseum! The '20s-era dance venue has been home to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair for years but those exuberant young women were long gone. But on Friday, booksellers Cynthia Gibson and Sunday Steinkirchner brought them back — if only for a little while. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Book Fair: Treasures We're Bringing

Bookseller Boe Rushing reveals one of the special items he'll be bringing to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. Look for items other dealers plan to have at the book fair under this series Treasures We're Bringing. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Friday, March 2, 2012

Book Fair: You don't need a lot of money

Bookseller Sean Donnelly says you don't have to have a lot of money to go to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. Bargains abound. There are plenty of five- and ten-dollar bargains, he says. The variety of books is amazing as well. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Book Fair: Robb Versandi on sharing information

Bookseller Robb Versandi says one of the extraordinary things about the book fair is the amount of information dealers willingly share with one another and with their customers. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Book Fair: Boe Rushing on loving books

Bookseller Boe Rushing says that anyone who loves books ought to come to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair to see the amazing selection. They may see books they'll never see again in their lifetime. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Book Fair: Rob Smith Jr. on the 'book sail'

Cartoonist Rob Smith Jr, creator of Swampy's Florida, is enthusiastic about the "Book Sail" theme of this year's Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. It speaks to Florida's maritime heritage. Rob will draw caricatures at the book fair and discuss his passion for Florida history. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave, Accralate

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Timeless literature as you like it


Book Fair: Treasures We're Bringing



Bookseller David Brown shows a copy of Ernest Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa, one of the special volumes he'll be bringing to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. Look for special items other dealers will be bringing to the book fair.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Friday, February 24, 2012

Book Fair: Robb Versandi on collecting

Bookseller Robb Versandi discusses the advantages of the book fair for anyone seeking to add to their collection or begin building one from scratch. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Book Fair: George Spiero on young book lovers

Bookseller George Spiero discusses the people in their 20s he enjoys seeing at the book fair. He's not worried about Kindle, iPad and Nook. Dealers will find an audience for traditional books for a long time to come, he says.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Til death do us part ...


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Book Fair: Anthony Griffon on sights you'll see


Anthony Griffon of Griffon's Medieval Manuscripts says there are books at the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair that you will see nowhere else.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Monday, February 20, 2012

Book Fair: Robb Versandi on prices


Bookseller Robb Versandi says book enthusiasts on a budget need not worry. There are plenty of bargains at the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Book Fair: Jeff Morris on why you should go


Jeff Morris, president of the Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association, offers some thoughts about the value of the book fair.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Friday, February 17, 2012

Wally Gebhard, rest in peace

We are saddened to hear of the death of our colleague, longtime Miami book dealer Wally Gebhard, who had been a fixture at the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair for many years. Wally passed away Saturday, March 11. He is remembered as an exemplary and knowledgeable bookseller who relished the thrill of the hunt in seeking remarkable volumes.

“Wally was an ace of book scouts and a knowledgeable book dealer in the Miami area,” says Daniel Adams of Waverly Books in Santa Monica, California. “Somehow he managed over the years to locate only the finest possible copies of collectable titles, despite the daunting challenges the region posed.”

Wally Gebhard at the 2011 Florida Antiquarian Book Fair.
“He was a quiet, gentle man with a dry sense of humor and an encyclopedic knowledge of literature,” says Michael Slicker, of Lighthouse Books, ABAA, in St. Petersburg. “Everybody who knew him liked him.”

 “If you attended the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair you probably spent a good bit of time in his booth,” says David Holloway, former member of the Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association and now librarian in the U.S. Patent Office. “His books were always in remarkable condition. His interests were wide ranging, and his prices were gentle.”

Adams remembers him as an accomplished classical guitarist and a knowledgeable authority on Latin American literature. Holloway does, too.

 “Wally was a true autodidact who studied Eastern religions formally, but taught himself to read French and Spanish and was a true connoisseur of Latin American literature — from back in the day when most people said ‘Gabriel Garcia who?’ ” Holloway says.


“Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was being a fully rounded human being, with a warmth of spirit he freely bestowed on those who were fortunate enough to know him,” Adams says. “Making a buck in the book business was the farthest thing from Wally's mind. His offerings at the St. Pete book fair were always a mix of whimsy and profundity. He immersed himself in the book trade because he relished the hunt, and the joy that comes with finding the elusive gem.”

Wally will be remembered for his good humor, his generosity in sharing knowledge and his delight in seeing his books find new homes with collectors or colleagues. He will be greatly missed. You are welcome to leave your recollections of W.B. (Wally) Gebhard below.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Book Fair: Harry Nash on iPads , etc

Bookseller Harry Nash offers some insights into the notion that conventional books are dead because of electronic media like Kindle and iPad. He says come to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair and see for yourself. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Book Fair Glimpses: '... By far the best ...'

Bookseller Robb Versandi offers some insights into visits to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair before he started exhibiting at the fair. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thank you, St. Petersburg Public Library

Laurel Gustafson, director of the St. Petersburg Public Library System, offers some insight into the co-sponsorship of the book fair by the library. A portion of each ticket sale for the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair goes to help support the St. Petersburg Public Library.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Book Fair Glimpses: A New Generation

Bookseller Boe Rushing offers a perspective on people coming to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Friday, January 27, 2012

Book Fair Glimpses: '... a little book village ...'

Sean Donnelly of DoraLynn Books shares some thoughts about the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Monday, January 23, 2012

Book Fair Glimpses: Book Buyers' Strategy


With a twinkle in his eye, George Spiero, an exhibitor at the next Florida Antiquarian Book Fair, offers some advice for book buyers planning to attend the fair.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Book Fair Glimpses: First Time

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair runs March 9-11, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. The book fair is the largest of its kind in the southeastern United States. More than 115 dealers in rare books, antiquarian books, antique maps, vintage photographs and more will exhibit at the book fair. | Music by Kevin MacLeod: Night Cave

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012 book fair countdown

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 9th, 2012. Here's the countdown.



The 31st Annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair will feature more than 110 specialized dealers in rare books, antique maps, prints, ephemera, autographs and more.

The oldest and largest fair of its kind in the southeastern United States, this year's fair runs March 9th-11th, 2012 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg.

Hours are Friday, March 9th, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., Saturday, March 10th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 11th from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Friday's admission is $10, includes a live classical music performance, and is good for all three days of the show. Admission on Saturday is $6 for the day or $10 for the weekend, and will include several lectures. Sunday's ticket is $6 and includes a free book appraisal by the Florida Bibliophile Society.

Look for printable admission discount coupons available on our website and on Facebook. Coupons are also available at St. Petersburg Public Libraries and at bookstores, antiques stores and other selected locations throughout the country. Admission is free for all children under 12 and for students with a valid ID. Free parking.

The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair is sponsored by the Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association and the St. Petersburg Public Library. A portion of each ticket sale benefits the St. Petersburg Public Library System. Bright House Networks and WUSF Radio are co-sponsors.

The Coliseum is located at 535 Fourth Avenue North in St. Petersburg.

For more information, call Sarah Smith, Book Fair Manager, at (727) 234-7759 or send an email to floridabookfair@verizon.net

• Here's a link to our book fair page on the Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association site.
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