{"id":3562,"date":"2019-05-09T08:09:14","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T16:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.tavbooks.com\/?p=3562"},"modified":"2019-05-09T08:09:14","modified_gmt":"2019-05-09T16:09:14","slug":"a-new-adventure-at-the-chicago-antiquarian-book-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.tavbooks.com\/?p=3562","title":{"rendered":"A New Adventure at the Chicago Antiquarian Book Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently, Team Tavistock flew out to Chicago to exhibit at the Chicago Antiquarian Book Fair. A first time exhibiting at this fair for Tavistock, we got the low-down on their experiences below!\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"chicago7\"<\/p>\n

So Vic, is this your first time exhibiting at the Chicago fair? And if so, what made you decide to try it out?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

VZ: Indeed, this was my first time exhibiting in Chicago, and I did so because it was held at the prestigious Newberry Library.\u00a0 <\/span>A lovely venue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Samm, have you spent any time in Chicago before this fair?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

SF: Yes, I have spent quite\u00a0a bit of time in Chicago before this trip. However, I was never in the area we were in – Lincoln Park is, I believe, the neighborhood that the Newberry\u00a0is in.\u00a0T<\/span>he park in front of the Newberry is absolutely gorgeous, and the Newberry Library was spectacular!\u00a0Not to mention that we discovered a lovely breakfast diner called Tempo, and\u00a0<\/span>it was a delight.\u00a0Every time I visit Chicago I seem to find great and beautiful places.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"chicago1\"<\/p>\n

Vic, how did you decide what was best to take with you, exhibit-wise?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

VZ: We had contracted for two trophy cases, no tables.\u00a0<\/span>And to save on shipping costs, decided to carry everything with us on the airplane.\u00a0<\/span>So selections tended to have two aspects: a connection to Chicago, and being more of a pamphlet or otherwise \u2019smallish\u2019 item.\u00a0<\/span>What inventory we brought with us was supplemented by the 85 Dickens titles I acquired at the 1 May Hindman auction.\u00a0<\/span>And no, we didn\u2019t put out all 85!\u00a0<\/span>Just a half dozen or so.<\/span><\/p>\n

Samm, what was load-in and set up like? How\u00a0did it compare to the previous fairs you have worked on?<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

SF: Overall, load-in was easy.\u00a0 It is always a<\/span>\u00a0bit confusing when first arriving at a book fair – where to go and what doors lead to what rooms.\u00a0But<\/span>\u00a0it is definitely\u00a0the way when you have never even been to the venue before!\u00a0O<\/span>ther fairs I have attended have had very detailed load-in and load-out policies and rules, but that did not seem to be the case at the Newberry. It is a HUGE venue and easy to get turned around if you are unfamiliar with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"chicago3\"<\/p>\n

Vic, what was the best part of the fair, as one who has so much experience both exhibiting and shopping fairs around the country?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

VZ: In this case, for me, the best part of the fair was the Friday night exhibitor dinner arranged by the fair promoter, Sammy Berk.\u00a0<\/span>Was a quite enjoyable evening, with good food, good drink, & good company.<\/p>\n

Samm, what was your favorite thing about this fair? \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

SF: To be honest, I think its one of my favorite things about every fair I have exhibite at so far. Meeting people I have only talked to on the phone or emailed with!\u00a0I<\/span>t is always nice to put a face to voice or name.\u00a0P<\/span>eople’s responses to me are typically along the lines of \u201cits nice to meet you in person, I have been seeing you on Instagram and the blog.\u201d Haha!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"chicago4\"<\/p>\n

And last but not least\u2026 Vic, do you think you’ll be exhibiting at the Chicago Antiquarian Book Fair in the future?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

VZ: TBD! I say this, for despite the fantastic venue, sales were, shall we say, less than robust, and at the end of the day, one must have sales to remain a bookseller<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

And there\u00a0you have it, ladies and gents! <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Looking forward to the next book fair report this fall, coming to you from Tavistock Books.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"chicago9\"<\/p>\n

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