Book-selling platform Boiyer Jahaj lifted the curtain on an exhibition displaying rare and vintage collectables at the Art Gallery of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on Friday.
The two-day exhibition titled 鈥楶aradise and Papers: Let There Be Books鈥� is featuring books, African masks, sculptures, different kinds of chessboards and others.
Among the displayed books, there is 鈥楻amayana de Valmiki鈥�. The speciality of the book, published in 2012, is that French publishing house Diane de Selliers published only 3,000 copies of the limited edition book containing 660 selected illustrations from 5,000 illustrations depicting stories in the Ramayana.
The book 鈥�1001 Nights鈥�, edited by Daniel Noel and illustrated by Kay Rasmus Nielsen, is also on display at the exhibition.
Publishing house Taschen published 5,000 copies of the limited edition illustration book which was initially sold for 鈧� 250. The recent market price of the book is nearly Tk 1,00,000.
鈥楢 book is not a mere textual material. A book鈥檚 unique character is created by its exclusive print and binding qualities, special editions printed for collectors, author鈥檚 signature and many others,鈥� said Boiyer Jahaj founder and chief executive officer Sagar Kanti Deb.
Such valuable books or products are regularly sold in Western countries. But the matter is not well-known in Bangladesh. Therefore, Boiyer Jahaj has organised this exhibition, said Sagar Kanti Deb.
Book collecting is also an investment. Some hints of how it works can be found at the exhibition, mentioned Sagar Kanti Deb.
Boiyer Jahaj team member Humayun Azam Rewaz has displayed a few pieces from his collection at the exhibition.
He has displayed a catalogue titled 鈥楢rt of the Ganges Delta: Masterpieces from Bangladeshi Museums鈥� showcasing artefacts from Bangladeshi museums that were selected for display in 2007 in Paris at an exhibition, which was cancelled.
鈥業t is difficult to get a complete picture of diversity in books by only observing the traditional market. Different kinds of books are published all over the world. Those books are interesting collectable items,鈥� said Humayun Azam Rewaz.
Besides exploring rare and vintage collectables, visitors can buy some selected pieces at the exhibition.
The exhibition, which will end today, will remain open from 10:00am to 9:00pm.
