World’s Largest Paperback Show Is the Creation of Chatsworth Collector

What is billed as the world’s largest paperback show is the brainchild of Chatsworth attorney Thomas M. Lesser. And it is coming back to the Valley on March 27.

“The show began as part of my collecting hobby but gradually developed into a large show which is now held for collectors and members of the public who just want to come, walk around, maybe get some books signed and meet the authors,” Lesser said.  

“It began in 1979, and the first show was a very small one at my home in Chatsworth," he said. "The second show was held in Burbank where there was a small kiosk on what was then a walk street [without traffic]. We held the show there for four or five years." It is currently held at the Guest House Inn in Mission Hills.

The 32^nd Annual Paperback Collectors Show and Sale will feature free book signings. Among the nearly 40 guests scheduled to appear are authors Karen Anderson, Peter Beagle, John deChancie, David Gerrold, James Glass, Barbara Hambly, George Clayton Johnson, Michael Kurland, Richard Lupoff, Richard Matheson, William F. Nolan and Larry Niven. Artists include illustrator, author and movie-maker Don Glut and illustrator and author (yours truly) Laura Brodian Freas.

Beyond the autograph rooms, about 50 local and out-of-state dealers will be selling a variety of vintage material comprised mostly of paperback books.  Other offerings will include pulp magazines, comics, various digests and magazines, and some hardbacks. Genres include crime and detective material, science fiction, westerns and romances, as well as miscellaneous subjects.

The book fair’s continued success is largely due to Tom Lesser’s ability to draw top-notch, established authors, artists and illustrators to his show. Guests in past years have included Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, A.E. Van Vogt, Jerry Pournelle, Harry Turtledove, Harlan Ellison, Frank Kelly Freas and Mickey Spillane.  

“The attendance varies at the show,” said Lesser. “We had a very large attendance the year Mickey Spillane appeared at the show. Generally in the past two to three years the attendance has been roughly the same, but I expect attendance will be higher this year as it appears that there is greater interest in the show amongst the public.” 

This year’s Paperback Collectors Show and Sale will be held March 27, at the Guest House Inn, 10621 Sepulveda Blvd. (between Devonshire  and Chatsworth streets), Mission Hills. For more information, call Tom Lesser at 818-349-3844, or Black Ace Books at 323-661-5052; or click here.