Monday in San Francisco: An opportunity to discuss the future of rare books

- by Bruce E. McKinney

An 1888 lithograph of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa

 

Based on following AE over the years, you might know that a rapidly growing auction market where prices are determined by competitive bidding is competing with the dealer-centric fixed-price market for books, manuscripts, maps, and ephemera in place for some 500 years. These two markets have long coexisted, the auction market for three centuries a wholesale redistribution mechanism for dealers that since 1980, beginning with Sotheby’s declaration to pursue the retail trade, increasingly become an alternative market.  Thirty-three years later auctions, in number, by lots and realizations are rapidly increasing while the traditional dealer market declines.

 

In my view, we are at a turning point, on the rim of a volcano. Join me at the Book Club of California on Monday, November 4th at 5pm for a reception and a talk at 6pm followed by questions and answers.

 

Book Club of California

312 Sutter St, Suite 500

San Francisco, CA 94108

 

Nearby BART Stations: Powell, Montgomery

Nearby Muni lines: 2, 3, 10, 30, 45

Nearest Parking Garage: The Stockton Street Garage