Rare Book Monthly
A Letter from New York
Sothebys selling photographs on the 13th
Taken together it is a riveting picture, incomplete though in one significant regard, the absence of new buyers. Yoko Ono showed up as did many of the biggest players in the field. They are looking hale and hearty and that's important because, at least for the time being, the next generation is the current generation living longer, continuing to find life, excitement and pleasure in collecting. For those whose collecting passion endures, many will continue in the traditional way, relying on stellar dealers for perspective and help. This suggests there will be many New York Book Fairs to come even if the collecting experience outside the walls of the armory continues to adjust at the speed of light.
It was a wonderful week, the weather generally warm and accommodating. Looking at the tulips in bloom, the skies blue, the Armory and auction rooms filled, the air pregnant with rebirth it is easy to miss the drama, the Perils of Pauline moment that looms. Book collectors and booksellers for a few days were living in the moment and it's just as well. If it's 1939, what's next?
