Sun 19 Mar 2017
2017 Los Angeles Vintage Paperback Collectors Show.
Posted by Steve under Collecting , Conventions[11] Comments
According to the flyer I have beside me as I type this, the 38th annual gathering of the LA area paperback collectors convention was held today. This isn’t a con report per se, as Jon and I were there for only just over an hour this afternoon, and not very many of the photos I took with my phone turned out to be usable.
But a couple did, and I thought I’d share them with you, along with a comment or two. The room was packed not only with dealers and their tables showing their wares, but at mid-afternoon the room was filled with would-be buyers, circulating the room, stooped over tables, and schmoozing with each other as they made the rounds one more time.
My sense was that the show was perhaps double the size of the Manhattan-based shows that Gary Lovisi did for many years, up to a several years ago. A few tables had some pulps for sale, others had hardcovers or movie posters and other memorabilia, but the vast majority of the offerings were old paperbacks, all glossied up in crisp clear baggies. To me the prices asked were high. If I could get these prices, my basement, garage and storage areas would be emptied so fast it would make your head swim. Too bad all my collectibles are 3000 miles away, or I’d be sure to set up here next year.
According to the flyer, over 60 authors and artists were set up to sign books and other items. While I was there, there may have been 20 or so sitting behind tables along one side of the room, and they all seemed pleased to be there.
Nobody seemed to have name tags. I probably passed several people I know but have met only infrequently and didn’t recognize them. If you were there and didn’t see me, either, I apologize.
I did talk to show organizer Tom Lesser for a short time. I haven’t been able to get to either a pulp or paperback show in quite a while, so it may have been a couple of years since I’ve seen him. If I’m not mistaken, he said they had over 500 people show up. I believe it. It was a big affair.
Here’s a photo of Jonathan and my friend Paul Herman. Paul lives two towns over from me back in CT but he flew all the way to CA just to see us there. That’s Jon on the left.
March 19th, 2017 at 9:40 pm
Did you see Art Scott?
March 19th, 2017 at 9:47 pm
No, alas, I didn’t. Jon and I decided that we could go only a couple of days before, and I didn’t realize the show would be as big as it was. I thought it would be smaller and easier to find people.
March 19th, 2017 at 11:31 pm
I attended almost all of the 25 or so NYC Paperback shows that Gary Lovisi organized each year on a annual basis, usually in September or October. I’ve never attended the LA Paperback convention but this certainly looks a lot bigger than the NYC event.
I see Tom Lesser each year usually at the Windy City Pulp Convention and last year he was also at the Bordentown, NJ pulp show in November. He and paperback collector, Dan Roberts, visited me a couple times and bought some paperbacks. Tom is a very friendly and energetic collector. I’ve always enjoyed our conversations.
Concerning the high prices asked at the conventions, I’ve seen this also but that of course doesn’t mean that they are selling at those prices. Dealers often are willing to bargain and lower the prices quite a bit.
I’ve heard many good things about the LA Paperback show and I wish it was closer because I certainly would like to attend. Attendance of 500 or so is fantastic and a number that the NYC con never came near.
March 20th, 2017 at 2:50 pm
I have a feeling that any bargains to be had were snapped up early. The show opened at 9 am and we didn’t get there until 2 pm or so. If we’d stayed longer, dealers may also have been a lot more willing to dicker a little.
March 20th, 2017 at 6:04 am
Bill, get out of my brain! That was my question, word for word.
Too bad.
March 20th, 2017 at 12:23 pm
I used to go before we moved to Portland, and always enjoyed it. A nice little show. I think it may have changed venue since I went.
March 20th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Yes, I’m fairly sure the show has changed locations, but since I was never able to go before, I don’t know when that happened. The current venue is large, but the show isn’t small anymore. I don’t think they could have squeezed another dealer’s table in.
March 21st, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Art had a table with British digests (Heade covers).
March 21st, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Not only did I not see Art, but I don’t remember seeing a display of British PBs with Heade covers on anyone’s table. On both counts, hard to believe. I’ll email him and tell him I’m sorry I missed him.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Damn, damn, Steve, I was there all right. You should have checked the dealers’ map; I was in the left rear quarter relative to the entry. Your comment #4 was certainly on the mark. I had more than 100 British digests from the 50s, and about 2/3 of them were sold before the doors opened at 9:00. And yes, dickering & quantity discounts are order of the day, especially in the last couple of hours. The show was in the frowsty meeting space of a motel in Mission Hills for many years; this is the third year in Glendale – a much bigger and nicer venue. Tom Lesser does a great job.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:39 pm
A dealers’ map? Now you tell me. Next year for sure, and I’ll be sure to contact you in advance. I won’t make that mistake again.