The Midwest Bookhunters Spring Book and Paper show was held May, 3rd and 4th at the Joseph J. Gentile Center at Loyola University in Chicago.
This spring’s show was the first two-day Midwest Bookhunter’s show held in Chicago, and it proved to be a success. Many attendees who came on opening night were back on the second day to enjoy the book fair a second time. There were approximately 600 customers attending this book fair.
While this was one of the Bookhunter’s smaller shows–with only 42 dealers participating, the books certainly packed a punch and dealers offered some stellar tomes. There were dealers exhibiting from as far away as Rochester, NY and Willow Springs, MO. Everything from paper collectibles to fine bindings were displayed for sale.
Pete Baugman of Frogtown Books (Toledo, OH) offered a fine selection of woodcuts suitable for framing by a famous artist of the 1930s. An amazing collection.
Larry Van de Carr of Booklegger’s Used Books brought his usually beautiful selection of fine bindings and collectible illustrated books.
Maggie Page of Page Books, (Hillsboro, OH) offered two framed sets of Thornton Burgess illustrated cards that came in bread packaging, many years ago. A unique way to get those creative characters popular with the kiddies of the time.
One of the highlights of this fair was the return to the Midwest of Jim Richards of Duck Creek Books, who had moved to Florida several years ago but has recently relocated to St. Clairsville, OH. Jim offered a fine selection of framed autographs and photos–one of the excellent pieces he had on display was a black and white movie still from To Kill A Mockingbird, signed by Gregory Peck.
Chicago Photographer Algamitas Kezys was on hand to offering copies of his book, Chicago by Kezys, and prints of his wonderful urban photographs. A former Jesuit, he proved interesting to talk to about this travels in his native Lithuania.
The Joseph Gentile Center is an excellent space for a book fair, with easy loading and good lighting. There is room for at least twice as many dealers to exhibit at this fair. Something attendees and sellers would both like to see.
Parking in the campus structure was free for both days, and public transportation was just a short walk way. Nearby restaurants provided much needed book fair fuel for sellers and customers, alike.
The Midwest Bookhunters sponsor three book fairs a year: The Spring Book Fair at Loyola, The Twin Cities Book Fair at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in July, and the Fall Book Fair at DePaul University in Chicago, to be held Sunday, October 19, 2003 at the Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield, Chicago, IL. Call 708-418-5620 for more information.
