Itinerary Rare and Used Books

The California Book Fair is coming to Burbank this weekend with nearly 160 book dealers. Even if you can’t make it to the fair, Los Angeles has a number of terrific used bookshops and rare booksellers.

Friday Night

The Iliad is a cozy used bookshop with overstuffed couches and rows of paperbacks, sold at half off the original cover price. (The store also carries hardbacks.) Owner Dan Weinstein has an affinity for the Beats, and recordings of William Burroughs are often broadcast over the sound system, so grab your beret. 4820 Vineland Ave. (at Lankershim), North Hollywood, (818) 509-2665. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays.

Saturday

Even if you don’t have $7,500 to spend on a first edition of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” Heritage Book Shop is worth a visit.The building has almost as much history as the books it contains. The stenciled ceilings, English cabinets and stained glass windows evoke an Old World charm, with a little Hollywood history thrown in. The gothic-style chairs in the front room were used in “Gone With the Wind” and one of the building’s rooms used to be a mortuary where Rudolph Valentino and Clark Gable were interred. The shop carries books from the 15th and 16th centuries, literary first editions, leather-bound sets, illuminated manuscripts, children’s classics and more. 8540 Melrose Ave., (310) 659-3674. Tuesdays-Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Free tours given on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Nearby, W & V Dailey Rare Books specializes in first editions, illustrated books, art, history and medicine books, and is filled with quirky finds. There’s a a 1932 signed Frank Lloyd Wright autobiography and a charming book illustrated and signed by Matisse, yours for a mere $3,500. 8216 Melrose Ave., (213) 658-8515. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

On Sunset, Golden Legend Inc. deals in books and fine prints that chronicle the history of drama, dance and dress. Highlights include one of 100 copies of “Picasso Thea^tre” (1963) with signed engravings. 7615 Sunset Blvd., (213) 850-5520. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday

The two-day California Book Fair continues with collectible books, prints, maps, autographs, guest speakers and free appraisals. Guest speakers include Golden Book collector Steve Santi and author Paul Bishop. Burbank Hilton Hotel and Convention Center, 2500 Hollywood Way. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) $6 per day. (805) 643-3407.

While in Burbank, check out the used book belt on San Fernando Boulevard. Conspiracy and true crime are the specialties at Atlantis Book Shop, 144 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, (818) 845-6467. Sundays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Bestseller Book Shop at 130 N. San Fernando Blvd. stocks humor books, mysteries and science fiction. There’s also a shelf of 25-cent romance novels outside. (818) 955-8243. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Book Castle’s Movie World is an absolute delight with celebrity biographies, theater and film books, and a large collection of old magazines. 212 N. San Fernando Blvd., (818) 846-0459. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Book City also specializes in film books, in addition to oversized art, dance and opera books, movie scripts and celebrity autographs. 308 N. San Fernando Blvd., (818) 848-4417. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Cafe N’Awlins for what is arguably the best Cajun food in the area. Cafe N’Awlins, 122 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, (818) 563-3569.