I reviewed the basics of exhibiting at shows in my last article (AuctionBytes-Update #8 http://www.auctionbytes.com/Email_Newsletter/Email_Archives/22000e.html). In this article, I recommend ways to find bookfairs and how to display books.
Finding a Fair
Want to sell at bookfairs, but you don't know where to start? Jerry Oliver of Oliver & Gannon Associates in Albany suggests, "There are many ways to learn about fairs nationwide. Book Source Monthly has a national calendar, as do many of the antiques trade publications. The ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers of America Assoc.) maintains a Web site, and there is a new cable channel: BookTV that has a calendar." If the Northeast is your stomping ground, check out Oliver & Gannon's page at www.showsfairsfestivals.com.
Displaying Your Books
Your goal is to display a wide variety of books in a way that attracts customers and encourages impulse buys. Most dealers set up lightweight collapsible shelves that fold flat during transport and sit comfortably atop the provided tables. Shelving like this can be found at most department stores and cost from $30 to $75.
Ron Weston of Ron's Reading Room suggests you look for the kind without the decorative side dowels so you can maximize your space without stretching your pocketbook. He invested in half the number of shelf units his booth allows and fills in the gaps with plain planks. "I use three boards to connect the bookcases. They should be thick enough to handle the weight of normal books. I use the width of the bookcase as a guide in cutting the boards."
If you're lucky enough to find shelving that allows one unit to be securely stacked atop another, you've given yourself the added bonus of eliminating one or more of the tables, opening up more space for customers to fill. That's what led bookseller Bob Seymour of Colebrook Book Barn to construct attractive wooden boxes that permanently house his show stock from transport to display. This way, he wheels his stock in on a handcart and arranges the boxes along the perimeter of his booth in no time flat. This gives him valuable time to take advantage of the pre-show sales and finds. Take-down time is just as swift.
If you're still scratching your head, wondering what will work for you, don't despair. Most booksellers are generous with information, so ask the ones nearest you. They'll be able to advise you about shelving, costs, and sales methods. They'll also be a wonderful resource for deciding what shows will bring the most reward.
There are many ways to display books. Decide for yourself what works best for setting up quickly and keeping the books organized. Don't expect to get it perfect the first time--most dealers find their own path over time. If you're handy with woodworking tools, you may find yourself designing a display that's creative and unique. But if you're not so blessed, the best advice I can give is to keep it simple.
NOTE: In her last article, Edith mentioned EEZEE Products as a resource for purchasing flame-retardant coverings for your display table. Here's the contact information for EEZEE Products: 1873 Central St., Stoughton, MA 02072, tel. 781-341-3640.
