All posts by debbie

Straddling the Atlantic – Firsts Online and the California Fair

Good morning/afternoon and greetings from Malvern!

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology I have a busy week ahead – straddling the Atlantic!

First off, from the comfort of my laptop in a Californian hotel room, I am delighted to be taking part in the latest iteration of Firsts Online organised by the ABA and which opens at 2pm on Thursday February 26th and runs through until midnight on Monday March 2nd. A chance to explore the shelves of dozens of accredited dealers from the comfort of your own home. Please bear with me for any possible delay in response to any fair enquiry due to the time difference. I will do be best to answer all queries in good time.

Some 24 hours later, I will be exhibiting in person at the 57th California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco. I can be found at Booth 156 alongside my good colleagues Edmund Brumitt and Amanda Hall.

As usual I will be exhibiting an eclectic mix of books, manuscripts and ephemera relating to medicine, science, and the humanities, details of which can be found in the following two lists – the illustrated Spring Selection of highlights and the full Short title Fair List

Please let me know if you are in need of a ticket for the Californian fair, which can be either left at the front door to collect, or alternatively can be purchased electronically via the fair Eventbrite ticketing site.   Please reach out to me for a discount code for free entry.

February 27 | 4pm – 8pm

February 28 | 11am – 7pm

March 1 | 11am – 4pm

Chelsea Rare Book Fair


Good afternoon from a very autumnal looking Worcestershire!

I am delighted to be exhibiting later this week at the ABA Chelsea Book Fair. Held annually in the beautiful and historic Chelsea Old Town Hall, the fair runs from 31st October – November 1st, and brings together exhibitors specialising in rare books, first editions, maps, prints, manuscripts and ephemera from all over the world.

To register for a complimentary ticket for Friday please click on the following digital ticket, and complete the short form to confirm.

For those not able to visit the fair, please following my Chelsea Fair List highlighting some of the books that I will be bringing with me, together with a more convenient short-title list. I hope you will find something of interest.

I can be found at Stand 75 and look forward to welcoming you.

Edinburgh Book Fair March 28-29th, InterContinental Edinburgh The George

I am delighted to be returning to exhibit at the Edinburgh Book Fair, this year in the new location of the InterContinental Edinburgh The George.

Scotland’s largest and most prestigious rare book fair, the fair will feature dozens of specialist booksellers from around the country, and is a joint venture between the Antiquarian Booksellers Association and the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association

Friday 28th March 2025 | 12pm to 7pm

Saturday 29th March 2025 | 10am to 4pm

Intercontinental The George Hotel, George Street, EH2 2PB

A copy of my fair list made be found here: Edinburgh2025

Firsts Online: 27 February – 2 March 2025

FIRSTS ONLINE

27 February – 2 March 2025

I am delighted to once again be taking part in the next Firsts Online, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association’s virtual book fair. It showcases a curated selection of rare books, first editions, and works on paper from a range of accredited dealers. Our February/March 2025 edition of Firsts Online will be the 12th outing of this digital platform, curating a selection of highlights from the stock of leading booksellers.

Deborah Coltham Rare Books Profile Page

Firsts Online Highlights

Rare Books in Woodstock – a Pop up Shop! December 16th-22nd 2024

Together with my two friends and colleagues, Susanne Schulz-Falster and Amanda Hall, I will be setting up a ‘Pop-Up’ shop for the week of December 16-22nd in Woodstock, near Oxford. We will be located at 14 Market Place, Woodstock OX20 1TA, and will be open between 10-6pm each day, though may close earlier on the final Sunday.

We will each be bringing with us a selection of stock that best represents our various specialisms.

Do let us know if you are able to join us – it would be lovely to see you and have a chance to chat all things bookish!

 

Firsts Online Winter Edition


I am delighted to be participating in the 2024 Winter Edition of Firsts Online together with a number of UK and International Colleagues. Showcasing a wide selection of rare books, first editions, and works on paper, it provides the perfect opportunity to browse at leisure for that perfect gift!

 

 

 

Chelsea Rare Book Fair

I am delighted to once again be exhibiting at the Chelsea Book Fair at the end of this week. As always, the fair will take place in the beautiful and iconic Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King’s Road.

We have moved to a digital ticketing system. If you would like a complimentary ticket please do let me know. *Please note: you do need to click on the link to book your ticket (quick and easy to do) and which will allow access for the duration of the fair.

The fair opens on Friday November 1st at 2pm and runs until 7pm, and then Saturday November 2nd from 11am to 5pm

Firsts London Rare Book Fair

Only a week to go until the door open for Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair

I am delighted to be exhibiting once again in the elegant Saatchi Gallery, and will be located on the First Floor, sharing Stand I74 with my colleagues Amanda Hall and Susanne Schulz-Falster.

We are moving to a digital ticketing system this year, and so to register for your complimentary ticket please use the following link

  • Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair,
  • Saatchi Gallery,
  • Duke of York’s Square,
  • King’s Rd,
  • London,
  • SW3 4RY
    Friday 17th May – Sunday 19th May

Firsts London is one of the most popular and prestigious rare book fairs in the world, showcasing unique and unusual items from over 100 leading UK and international dealers. As the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association’s premier annual fair, it attracts a diverse audience of collectors, dealers, enthusiasts and the curious alike.

Our theme for Firsts 2024 brings together the best the market has to offer when it comes to beautiful books, in the appropriate setting of the Saatchi Gallery. From bejewelled bindings to pop-up books, from Japanese woodblock printing to illuminated Qur’ans, Firsts London 2024 will gather over one hundred international dealers under one roof, promising to be an exceptional demonstration of the book as art and the art of the book.

Opening Hours:
Friday 17 May: 11am – 8pm
Saturday 18 May: 11am – 6pm
Sunday 19 May: 11am – 5pm

All Formats Great & Small