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The Bancroft Library will showcase a special exhibit of rare books and manuscripts documenting the international heritage of California dating back to Sir Francis Drake and before at the upcoming 16th International League of Antiquarian Booksellers Book Fair in San Francisco. Entitled "California Arrivals: The International Heritage of the State," the hand-chosen exhibit highlights rare pieces not usually displayed, including items from the personal collection of H. H. Bancroft. The three-day public showing will feature early maps that Europeans used in the 16th and 17th centuries depicting California as an island, accounts of the first Japanese sailor who came to the state, documents of Chinese prosperity despite the "Exclusion Act," and letters from Adolph Sutro discussing his San Francisco cigar stores. The Bancroft Library has selected the theme of the exhibit to mark the return of the book fair, recognized as the world's most prestigious rare book fair. It was last held in the United States in 1980 and last on the West Coast in 1967. It will feature more than 170 of the most noted rare booksellers from 20 countries. The Bancroft exhibit and the fair will be held at the Concourse Exhibition Center, Sept. 6 through 8. For more information on the fair, call (415) 695-1449.
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