Every year, Philadelphia hosts a number of exciting festivals. However, some events are necessary not just for enjoyment but also for personal growth. The Philadelphia Rare Book Fair is an important cultural event. Every year, citizens attend the exhibition to enrich themselves with fresh ideas and worldviews from the distinctive works of writers. Find out more about the history of one of the famous fairs hosted in Philadelphia at philadelphiaski.com.
Philadelphia Rare Book Fair 2023
The annual festival of rare books in Philly, as citizens like to call their city, officially started on December 8, 2022. On Tuesday, at exactly 5 PM, there was already a line of local book lovers eager to check out a new book as soon as possible.
The fair was hosted on the premises of the historic Trinity Memorial Church. That day, twenty American merchants arrived at the place. For the benefit of the public, librarians displayed a variety of books and rare publications. The aforementioned literary pieces from different parts of the United States of America, as well as exceptional works from collections, were also brought to the fair by ordinary visitors of the event.
At the yearly festival, a rare book specialist assisted those looking for a special book and also provided an assessment of the works that the visitors brought. The specialist was there at the event from the beginning and left after the closing ceremony.
Long before the festival, the city organized an advertising campaign to ensure that as many people as possible attended the upcoming event. At the same time, for convenience, the organizers set up a website where many people could purchase tickets to the Philadelphia Rare Book Fair. The price for which you could visit this amazing and inspiring environment was estimated at only $50.
The festival’s attendees in Philadelphia are considerably distinct from each other in general. Furthermore, everyone came with personal goals. Some came to just look around, others came to purchase a gift for the holidays or find the very one new work for their own book collection.
Visitors that came on time to the event in the City of Brotherly Love earned a bonus in the form of being among the first to dive into this spectacular activity. They talked to people who shared their views and others they looked up to. The so-called bibliophiles were the first to become acquainted with the entire assortment at the fair. So other keen readers and newcomers had been hunting for an item to fit their tastes for a long time.
The design of the venue where the action took place was quite intriguing – everything was done in a literary concept. During the event, visitors tasted sandwiches and drank alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages while listening to exquisite live music.
In discussions with local media, exhibition organizers stated that romance books were the most popular genre among attendees. Only experienced collectors were drawn to something unusual and new.
What was the fair remembered for?
Everyone who attended the event in Philadelphia was invited to a party at the conclusion of the day. They had to purchase the ticket, which was $125. Then, for those who wished to, there was a general dinner in the Rocket Club restaurant, where literary enthusiasts gathered with a dozen more unique exhibition displays.
During the occasion, Kermit Roosevelt, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, gave a performance in which he discussed his book “The Nation That Never Was.”
“In our fairs, we aim to create a more immersive experience, connecting book collectors and sellers and building relationships. Our goal is to introduce a new generation to the world of book collecting,” said Eve Rachel Lemon, director of the Philadelphia Rare Book Fair, after the event.
A festival visitor who has a book collection also shared her thoughts on the day with local journalists. The woman stated that she intends to continue attending such events so that as many people as possible gain interest in literary works, get inspired and learn new things.
