For anyone who’s ever lingered over the smell of old paper, hunted for a first edition or admired the detail in a centuries-old map, the world of rare books in St. Louis is about to get bigger. Fine Book Fairs, a Jewish-owned company founded in 2022 by husband-and-wife team Eve and Edward Lemon, will host the inaugural St. Louis Rare Book Fair Oct. 10–11 at the Missouri Athletic Club.

People of the Book, literally

The Lemons’ love for collecting began during the COVID lockdown when their personal hobby turned into a new venture. “Back in 2022, we were looking for ways to raise money for the oldest tavern in DC, dating to 1796,” Edward Lemon said. “We knew some booksellers, so we thought, why not organize a fair? It was a success, and dealers quickly asked us to do more.”

ADVERTISEMENT

That first event led to Fine Book Fairs, which now runs shows in DC, New York, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Buffalo Newport, Rhode Island and now St. Louis.

For the Lemons, their Jewish identity shapes the business. “Judaism encourages reading and prizes constant learning,” Eve said. “It’s obsessed with making meaning through the written word. After all, we are called the People of the Book.”

Local dealers and Jewish connections

The St. Louis Rare Book Fair opens Oct. 10 with an evening preview party from 4 to 8 p.m. that includes wine, beer, canapés and early access to the floor. Tickets are $50. The fair continues Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with general admission at $10, $8 for students and free for anyone under 16.

Exhibitors include longtime local names with deep ties to the Jewish and art communities. Hirschfeld Galleries, a family-run gallery that helped inspire the fair’s St. Louis debut, will join along with Kodner Gallery, another Jewish-owned business known for connecting art and history for generations. Dunaway Books, the city’s beloved independent shop, rounds out the mix with a focus on local readers and unexpected finds. “We try to cultivate a mix of dealers in terms of specialty and price point,” Edward said. “Anyone who walks in should be able to find something they love.”

Making book collecting accessible

ADVERTISEMENT

The Lemons say their goal is to make rare books feel less intimidating and more fun. “Traditionally, book fairs were seen as events for older audiences,” Eve said. “But most of our attendees are younger, and for many, it’s their first time at a rare book fair.”

That inclusive feel extends to how the fairs are run. “We use social media to show what collecting looks like and what a fair feels like,” Edward said. “At the event, we greet people, ask what they’re into and connect them with the right dealers. We keep it social and lighthearted, with music, drinks and a range of prices from $10 to over $10,000.”

The fair will also feature a keynote by Kermit Roosevelt III, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and great-great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt, at 2 p.m. Oct. 11. Tickets are $20 and include entry to the fair.

“St. Louis has a strong tradition of valuing art and storytelling,” Eve said. “We want this fair to feel like an invitation to be part of that.”

St. Louis Rare Book Fair

What: The inaugural St. Louis Rare Book Fair will bring dozens of booksellers to the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis. Visitors can browse thousands of rare books, maps, prints and ephemera across a wide range of subjects and prices.

When:

• Friday, Oct. 10 – Preview Night from 4 to 8 p.m.
  Enjoy wine and canapés while getting first access to the fair’s collections, plus a special performance by Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe. Tickets are $50 and include Saturday entry.

• Saturday, Oct. 11 – Book Fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  General admission is $10, $8 for students and free for attendees under 16.

Where: Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave., St. Louis

Who: Presented by Fine Book Fairs, a Jewish-owned company founded by Eve and Edward Lemon

More info: finefairs.com/st-louis