Event to feature books, documents, postcards and more

(Submitted photo)

WESTFIELD, NY — Book and postcard collectors will want to be in Westfield on Saturday, July 30 for the second annual Book and Paper Show, presented by the Chautauqua County Historical Society. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take place at the Firemen’s Exempt Hall (75 Bourne St.), Westfield, N.Y.

“This is a show for readers and collectors with specific interests,” according to CCHS trustee Jack Ericson, who’s once again charged with organizing this year’s show. “Expect to find books, maps, manuscripts and paper materials, much of which relates to Chautauqua County and the surrounding area.”

Ericson adds that this year, the historical society will feature some of its recently deaccessioned items available for sale.

“Over the years the Society has collected a large quantity of books, mostly those relating to Chautauqua County's history, but others crept into the collection,” explains Ericson. “The Board of Trustees decided that it was only necessary to keep three copies of each book that fit the criteria of the Society's collection policy. As a result of this process, a quantity of books have been removed from the collection. The board is offering the local history materials to other local museums and municipal historians, while the remainder of the deaccessioned items will be offered for sale at our Book and Paper Show.”

Over 20 Vendors in Attendance
Besides the Chautauqua County Historical Society, Ericson says two-dozen different vendors from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia will attend this year’s show. In addition to collectable books and manuscripts, some will also provide a variety of paper collectables and also plenty of postcards.

“Posters, prints and broadsides will be available, as will stereo-view cards and other photographs,” says Ericson. “At least three dealers carry postcards and many specialize in ‘ephemera’. That refers to transitory items like stamps, greeting cards, stationary, advertising, and even matchbook covers. For many people, items like these bring back vivid memories of childhood and so are highly prized because so few examples have survived.”

Vendors from Chautauqua County include John Claypoole (Panama), Mary and Les Davis (Bemus Point), East Branch Books (Sherman), Jack Ericson (Westfield), Tom Karapantso (Jamestown), Paul Leone (Jamestown), Vince Martonis (Gerry), Wayne Mori (Dunkirk), Ed Schaefer (Maple Springs), George Sinclair (Dunkirk), and Jon Weekly (Fredonia).

Those coming from other areas of New York State are Jim Brunner (Geneseo), Bill and Jean Kasinski (West Seneca), Keven T. Ransom (Amherst), Bob & Barb Ruhlman (Alden), Hans Tanner (Geneseo) and Willow Patch Books (Rochester).

And sellers from other states include Authors Books and Music (Warren, Pa.), Scott Brasseur (Prospect, Pa.), Hopper Historics (Falls Church, Va.), John D. Lindberg (Warren, Pa.), William Pope (Erie, Pa.), Wesley Williams (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) and Susan Wolfe (Warren, Pa.).

“We’re binging over 100,000 postcards with topics ranging from ‘A’ to ‘Z,’” explains vendor Ed Shaefer from Maple Springs, N.Y. “The cards will cover every state, including over 1,000 Chautauqua County postcards. We’ll also have a lot of foreign cards.”

A detailed list of the vendors can be found at the official Book and Paper Show website at bookandpapershow.com.

“Anyone interested in collecting historical and notable books and other documents will want to attend this event,” says Ericson. “Visitors will have an opportunity to find rare, scholarly, and out-of-print books in many categories, and much more.”

Admission to the event is $5 with all proceeds being used to expand and preserve the historical society’s archives and research library. Everyone who attends will be entered into winning this year’s door prize, including two books on the Amish, a quart of Amish-made maple syrup and cards featuring the work of Amish artist Anna Weaver.

Firemen’s Exempt Hall is located at 75 Bourne St. in Westfield, N.Y., one block east of NYS Rt. 394 and a half-mile south of Exit 60 on the New York State Thruway (I-90). There is plenty of free parking and the facility is air-conditioned and handicapped accessible.

For more information, please visit bookandpapershow.com or contact the historical society at 716-326-2977 or by email at mcclurg@fairpoint.net.

The Chautauqua County Historical Society was established in 1883 and is the oldest historical society in Chautauqua County. Since 1951, the organization has been based out of the historic McClurg Mansion (built in 1818) in Westfield, N.Y. Annual Membership rates start at just $20. All members are given free access to the museum year-round and a subscription to the quarterly “Time Lines” newsletter. For more information, call 716-326-2977.