REDDING — The Collectors’ Corner room at the annual Labor Day weekend Mark Twain Library Book Fair, housing the rare and valuable treasures for sale, is especially interesting this year, according to fair organizers. Book expert Paul Weissman, who prices this category for the Book Fair team, has discovered an outstanding number of meaningful donations. Among the highlights: a wide variety of signed first edition volumes. 

“First edition books signed by the author are coveted by the book dealers, but also make very special gifts,” said Library Director Beth Dominianni. “I imagine The Collectors Corner will be very popular this year.”

The 54th Annual Mark Twain Library Book Fair is scheduled from Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1, at the Redding Community Center, 37 Lonetown Road (Route 107, behind Redding Elementary School), 9 am to 4 pm each day. The fair features at least 60,000 book titles, as well as CDs, DVDs and vinyl LPs.

An early buying admission of $15 is charged between 9 and 10 am on Friday only. After 10 am, admission is free, with each individually priced book for sale as marked. On Saturday, books will also be sold as marked; Sunday is half price day. Labor Day, Monday, is “Boxing Day”; customers can purchase a box for $10 and fill it with as many books as fit. 

Parking is free, and refreshments will be available. All proceeds benefit the Mark Twain Library.

The Mark Twain Library is owned by the Mark Twain Library Association. It was founded in 1908 by Samuel Clemens — Mark Twain himself — one of Redding’s most celebrated residents. For additional information, MarkTwainLibrary.org or 203-938-2545.