The Midwest Antiquarian Booksellers Association (MWABA) will hold its 21st annual Twin Cities Antiquarian and Rare Book Fair this Friday and Saturday at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society, the fair will feature more than 50 booksellers from 13 states, offering a wide range of books, ephemera, maps, prints and other paper collectibles. Peruse rare and fine books on Americana, the Civil War, railroading, Minnesota history, travel, gardening, cooking, science and technology, animals and much more.

Readers can browse loads of used, reasonably-priced books for reading through the long, lazy days of summer. Collectors can find gorgeous first editions and one-of-a-kind bindings. This year, the fair will also feature useful programs for the new collector. The following presentations will take place on Saturday, June 25:

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Patrick Coleman, Minnesota Historical Society
"The ABCs of Book Collecting: Where to Get Started Collecting Books."

12:15-1:00 p.m. 
Kent Peterson, Terrace Horticultural Books
"Growing Your Collection of Gardening Books."

1:45-2:30 p.m.
Jeff Marks, Rare Book Dealer, Rochester, NY
"Judging a Book by Its Cover: Why Dust Jackets Matter"

As always, this will be an outstanding event for dealers, collectors and joyful readers!

For more information on the biggest book fair in the Upper Midwest, call  Rob Rulon-Miller at 1-800-441-0076 or email Catherine Shannon Ballman at twincitiesrarebooks [at] gmail [dot] com.

Time: 5-9 p.m.
Date: Friday, June 24, 2011
Place: Progress Bldg., State Fairgrounds, 1621 Randall Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108
Cost: $7 (parking is free)

Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Date: Saturday, June 25, 2011
Place: Progress Bldg., State Fairgrounds, 1621 Randall Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108
Cost: $5 (parking is free)