The Vancouver Book Fair highlights literary rarities

Don’t be surprised if you see more books than usual downtown on the weekend of September 28 and 29, because that’s when the Vancouver Book Fair opens its doors at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson).

Touted as the only antiquarian-, collectible-, and rare-book fair in Western Canada, the Vancouver Book Fair features books, ephemera, maps, prints, manuscripts, and works on paper. Topics range from history to children’s books to science and technology to travel. There will also be modern first editions and signed copies up for grabs.

Due to the success of the 2010 and 2012 fairs, the Vancouver Book Fair Committee has decided to make the event an annual one. And although a list of this year’s vendors is still forthcoming, past booksellers include local favourites like Ainsworth Books, Carillon Books, Macleod’s Books, and Voyager Press Rare Books, as well as a selection of private collectors.

Tickets are an extremely affordable $8 a pop and are available, along with additional information, on the Vancouver Book Fair website.