Brooklyn Antiquarian Book Fair to benefit local nonprofit 826NYC

Brooklyn BookBeat: 826NYC Provides Free Writing Programs to Under-Resourced NYC Students; Fundraiser Slated for Sept. 9 at Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint

August 23, 2016 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The exterior of 826NYC, which is located in Park Slope. Photo courtesy of 826NYC

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The third annual Brooklyn Antiquarian Book Fair (BABF), which will open with an event on Sept. 9 (from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint), will feature a selection of antique books and ephemera, as well as three days of special displays, live literary-related entertainment and family fun.

This year, BABF has announced that 100 percent of the proceeds from its opening night preview will benefit 826NYC’s free writing programs for under-resourced New York City students. For the opening night preview, guests will be granted exclusive access to the fair’s 25,000 items on offer, live entertainment and poetry from the Haiku Guys & Gals, as well as locally sourced refreshments, including treats from Jessy’s Pastries.

826NYC, a chapter of the 826 network, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. The organization’s staff, teaching artists and more than 200 volunteers help to serve more than 2,800 NYC students each year.

The organization provides an After-School Tutoring & Writing program, workshops, storytelling and bookmaking field trips and in-schools programs. It is headquartered in the secret library behind the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. in Park Slope. All proceeds from the store go directly to supporting 826NYC’s programs.

BABF features nearly 100 dealers from all over the world who will present a full spectrum of collectible and antique books and quality ephemera. Ephemera are items made from paper that were not made to stand the test of time, and have since become collectible. Popular ephemera categories include correspondence, advertising, historical documents, posters, tickets, brochures, cards and more.

The three-day fair also features many special events, book signings and exhibits designed to reflect Brooklyn’s distinctive personality, quirkiness and central role in American literary history.

“I am thrilled to be partnering with 826NYC on this very special opening night benefit celebration,” said Marvin Getman, producer of BABF. “826NYC’s mission — focused on creativity, reading and literacy — perfectly aligns with the heart and soul of the BABF.”

The events will take place on Friday, Sept. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.