Rare Posters, Magazines, and Books at 2025 Allentown Paper Show
October 5, 2025
1 min read
My love for rare and unusual magazines, advertising cards, posters, and other ephemera has always taken me places — but one of my favorite places to get inspired is still Allentown Paper Show, held twice a year at Allentown Fairgrounds. One of the largest and longest running shows gathers around 200 dealers from all around the country. While the show runs Saturday and Sunday, I always plan to arrive Friday night for a quick and early start in the morning.
The show spans the entire 50,000 sq. ft of Allentown Agri-Plex complex – and is divided into 2 large spaces
I’ve been noticing more antique photography at the show – especially intricately framed daguerreotypes and tin types
An early 5th issue of Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine
A few issues of Minotaure, an influential 1930s French surrealist magazine known for its luxurious production and featuring original work by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, André Breton, and Man Ray.
Original packs of antique chewing gum
A first edition of 1964 Nothing Personal, a book of black-and-white photographs by Richard Avedon with accompanying text by James Baldwin
Set of board display signs for Chevrolet displayed at dealerships in the 1950s
A paper parasol made for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair
An interactive display for Pabst Blue Ribbon beer
1920s issues for Science & Invention, a popular science magazine
An unusual metal advertising sign for Budweiser beer from the 1920s – featuring a couple preparing Welsh rarebit (a melted cheese dish made with beer).
Allentown Paper Show
SPRING SHOW: April 25-26, 2026
FALL SHOW: October 3-4, 2026
302 N 17th St, Allentown, PA
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Admission $10 at the door
allentownpapershow.com
