Mercantile Library hosts Rare Paper Arts Fair

You probably won't find this historic photo of Charles Lindbergh taken at the old Lambert Field*, but there will be plenty of other vintage treasures at the St. Louis Fine Print, Rare Book & Paper Arts Fair on May 15 & 16.

An undiscovered gem to many area residents, the Mercantile Library at UMSL is an absolute goldmine of historic artifacts. Free and open to the public, it’s a museum, library, archive and research center all rolled into one, and I can’t wait to do a full feature article on it. But for now, I’m pleased to simply announce that the Mercantile is gearing up for a really incredible event: the 4th annual St. Louis Fine Print, Rare Book & Paper Arts Fair.

The sale will feature an amazing array of ephemera and artwork – everything from posters, maps and photographs to American historical prints, old and modern Master prints and, of course, rare books. If you’d like to pay to be first in line, you can attend the Special Preview Gala on Friday, May 14, and enjoy cocktails, appetizers and early buying privileges. The cost is $50 per person, $90 per couple or $25 for “young collectors” 35 and under.

If you’d prefer to save your cash for the actual goodies, come on Saturday, May 15, or Sunday, May 16, when admission will be $5 for the public, $1.50 for UMSL students and $2.50 for UMSL alums. Just make sure you bring an ID for those last two.

Proceeds from the fair benefit the acquisition and preservation fund of the Mercantile Library, and lots of free parking will be available. For more info and directions, visit the Mercantile’s website or call (314) 516-7240. Fair hours are May 14, 6-9pm, May 15, 10am-7pm, and May 16, 11am-5pm.

*Charles Lindbergh photo taken August 15, 1927, not far from where Teddy Roosevelt became the first president to fly in an airplane, right here in North County. From the collection of Richard Stanley.

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