A Conversation with NYIABF Ambassador Karah Preiss

Karah Preiss is a creative producer living in New York City. She cofounded Belletrist Book Club with actress Emma Roberts, along with Belletrist Productions, a TV and film production company.

Karah is serving as an Ambassador for the 65th Annual ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, joining a dynamic group of passionate collectors, influencers, and industry leaders who are shaping the conversation around collecting, preservation, and the cultural importance of historical materials. Ahead of the fair, we had the opportunity to ask Karah a few questions.

Collection & Inspiration

Favorite Piece:

What is your favorite antiquarian book, manuscript, object, piece of ephemera, etc. in your collection, and what makes it so special to you?

I know it’s controversial that I won’t be naming a book, but I acquired a poster last year at the ephemera convention in Connecticut that was an Alexander Calder poster.  I got it from a collector in Los Angeles who was showcasing at the fair. It’s hanging on my wall now and I love Calder and I LOVE exhibition posters. 

Admired Figure:

Which historical author, printer, or publisher do you most admire or enjoy collecting?

My dad, Byron Preiss, was a publisher and collector. He is also the person who introduced me to the Antiquarian Book Fair when I was very young and growing up in New York City. He has passed away but he left behind an incredible collection of antiquarian books and ephemera. 

Museum Muse:

Which NYC museum showcasing rare manuscripts or literary artifacts do you find most inspiring?

I am consistently wowed by The New York Historical Society and their amazing exhibitions. It is also just a beautiful place to spend time.  

Iconic Architecture:

Is there a New York building—perhaps a historic library or archive—that particularly sparks your passion for antiquarian treasures?

The National Arts Club is an incredible space and makes me cherish New York as a city for the arts. 

Lifestyle

Literary Beginnings:

How did you first become captivated by antiquarian books and literary history?

As I said before, my father was a collector of so many things, including books, but also stamps, ephemera, and poster art. In that way, collecting is in my blood and also going to shows and festivals was such a huge part of my childhood growing up in New York. I am really lucky that I had two parents who loved to collect and spend time at book fairs. 

Creative Reads:

Which three books or literary works currently fuel your creative energy when you’re deep in research?

Emma [Roberts] got me a book recently that was a first edition that I had never heard of called The Harried Leisure Class by by Burenstam Linder Staffan and it’s a book that was talking about the attention economy long before the iPhone age. It’s a really brilliant book about how we must make time for the things we care about while definitely not being any kind of “self-help” book. 

I found a copy of Robert Frost’s complete poems at a thrift store in Ocala, Florida a few weeks ago and I am loving the task of reading a poem from it each day. 

I always return back to any non-fiction by James Baldwin because he’s the greatest thinker of the 20th Century and just had a tremendous amount of common sense, which seems more like a rare commodity these days. 

Recent Discovery:

What is the best antiquarian book, podcast, or article on literary history you’ve come across lately?

Oh! We recently posted about Emily Dickinson’s envelope poetry which is from a larger book from MIT press about Letter Arts. It’s called Letterlocking: The Hidden History of The Letter by Jana Dambrogio (Author), Daniel Starza Smith (Author), and the Unlocking History Research Group  (Contributor).

Advice

For New Collectors:

What advice would you offer to someone just beginning their journey in collecting?

Don’t spend more money than you have. 

Words of Wisdom:

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about collecting or hunting rare books?

It’s always about the hunt. 

Plugs

Proud Project:

Can you share a recent project or exhibition that you’re particularly proud of?

Emma and I put on an event in Los Angeles with the writer Lili Anolik to celebrate her book DIDION & BABITZ, where we had a group of actors read the long lost, unsent letters of Eve Babitz. It’s one of the coolest things we’ve ever been a part of!

Upcoming Excitement:

What are you excited to show and/or see at New York Antiquarian Book Fair?

Oh I just look forward to the whole fair, but I always love to see what Sunday’s got going on at her booth with B&B!