Book Fair Features Variety of Rare Items

Thousands of rare books, manuscripts, prints and maps will be displayed this weekend at the 31st annual California International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

More than 220 dealers from the United States, Britain, Europe, Canada, Australia and South America will participate in the event, one of the largest of its kind in the United States.

“Literally all the great books of Western civilization will be here,” said Howard Rootenberg, chairman of the Southern California Chapter of the Antiquarian Booksellers of America Assn. Among the items for sale is an illustrated anatomy book by the 16th century Belgian physician Andreas Vesalius valued at $145,000.