50th anniversary: Menlo Park's open-air Book Fair this weekend 50th anniversary: Menlo Park's open-air Book Fair this weekend (September 14, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyle Editor

It's a book lovers' bonanza. This Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, the Friends of the Menlo Park Library will have more than 50,000 books for sale at its 50th annual Book Fair and auction outdoors at the Menlo Park Civic Center.

The 35,000 hardbound books and another 15,000 paperbacks will be organized by category on 120 tables.

What's more, the books will be available at bargain-basement prices -- usually $1 or less. Multiple copies of many classics, from Homer to Stegner, are available at these prices, according to Tim Goode, who is assisting coordinator Bill Harris. It's great for students and teachers, says Mr. Goode.

In the children's section, 3,000 books will be spread over low platforms or stacked in boxes for easy access. "We sold every book in the children's section last year," says Mr. Goode.

Last year's Book Fair raised $30,000 for library programs and projects. This year's funds will be used for the Project Read adult literacy program and children's programs.

The Book Fair begins both days at 9:30 a.m., and ends at 5 p.m. Saturday, and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. There will be a half-price sale Sunday morning and, beginning at 11:30 a.m., all remaining items that shoppers can fit into a shopping bag will be sold for $2 a bag.

Four cashier stations, plus a fifth for volume buyers on Saturday, will expedite sales, and volunteers will help carry purchases to shoppers' cars.
Auction

Bids starting at $1,000 will be taken for a first edition of "Toreros" by Jaime Sabartes. The book about Pablo Picasso includes four original lithographs, one in color. It was published in 1961.

Is this the most expensive book ever featured in the auction? "No, but it's close to it," says Mr. Goode.

Written bids on a long list of "collectible" books will be taken all day Saturday, and until 11:30 a.m. Sunday, in the City Council chambers. The oral auction, with veteran auctioneer George Fox of Pacific Book Auction Galleries in San Francisco, begins in the chambers at 2 p.m.

Jackie Drew, a longtime Friends volunteer, is the key organizer for the auction. She singled out a number of notable books in addition to "Toreros" that will be auctioned off during the event, including:

** Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea," 1952, first edition, in first-issue dust jacket.

** "British Poets," edited by Rev. George Gilfillan, 1854-66, 48 volumes, in full polished calf, gilt spine.

** Anderson's "Fairy Tales," 1932, first American trade edition, 12 color plates, illustrated by Arthur Rackham.

** Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," 1915, 12 color plates, illustrated by Arthur Rackham.

The first book fairs in the 1950s were sponsored by the Menlo Park Friends of the Library under the auspices of the American Association of University Women.

In the 1980s, the Friends began selling donated books in the library. In 1993 they opened the Friends Bookstore in the library across from the circulation desk. The Bookstore, which is the Friends' main fundraiser, is restocked daily and is open at the same times as the library.

Volunteers needed: The Friends can always use extra help before and during the Book Fair. There is a sign-up sheet in front of the Bookstore in the library; or call 858-3453.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.