World of words: Albuquerque Antiquarian Book Fair features rare, unique printed material

Calling all bibliophiles.

For months, the members of Southwest Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (SABA) work tirelessly putting together its annual event – the Albuquerque Antiquarian Book Fair.

On Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16, the event will have everything from written word collections to printed ephemera.

World of words: Albuquerque Antiquarian Book Fair features rare, unique printed material

The event takes place at the Sid Cutter Pilots’ Pavilion at the Balloon Fiesta Park.

Mark Holmen, director of Albuquerque Antiquarian Book Fair, says visitors will be able to peruse rare books, historic maps, old postcards, vintage photographs, first editions, beautiful leather bindings, sci-fi paperbacks and everything paper and ink.

“Ken Sanders, book and manuscript appraiser for ‘Antiques Roadshow’ will be returning as an exhibitor from Utah,” he says. “You may be surprised by the variety and historic interest of things on display and for sale.”

Holmen says being able to present the Albuquerque Antiquarian Book Fair is special because it’s a chance for book and print lovers to celebrate the art form.

“There’s something amazing when you hold a book in your hands,” he says. “We’re continuing to grow the festival as other festivals are scaling back. The event is a treasure for the community.”

Holmen says it’s interesting to see all the treasures of each exhibitor.

“There are old maps that will show what a different makeup the area was prior to becoming part of the United States,” he says. “There’s a map that shows what is now New Mexico, cut in half horizontally in the middle. Those boundaries didn’t last long.”

Holmen says one of SABA’s goals is to not only organize the book fair, but to educate and encourage an appreciation of antiquarian books, manuscripts and other printed materials.

He says working with the city of Albuquerque has been a great collaboration for the event.

“The space that we’ve had for the book fair has been an amazing gift,” he says. “We’re able to have more parking for all of the guests. We’re happy to be at the Balloon Fiesta Park. This is our sixth year and it continues to grow.”