ILAB Congress and Symposium, Oxford 2022

In addition to preparing for First London, I am also delighted to be participating in the forthcoming ILAB Symposium on Wednesday September 14th 2022, the latest in a series of collaborative events and programmes between libraries, collectors and booksellers examining issues affecting the world of antiquarian books today. Following the successful symposium held at the Grolier Club in New York in 2019, we are gathering in the beautiful city of books and learning, Oxford, and are very grateful to the Bodleian Library for providing the Weston Library Lecture Hall as our venue.

A diverse and very knowledgeable group of booksellers, collectors, government representatives, librarians and law enforcement officers have agreed to share their views on some of the complex and challenging issues faced by those working with antiquarian books and related rare materials today. I am honoured to be taking on the role of Moderator for the day, and also to be one of the speakers for the first session.

Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair

Just over a week until the International Book Trade gathers once again, this time returning to London and the Saatchi Gallery for the 65th edition of one of the most popular and prestigious rare book fairs in the world – Firsts London. I am delighted to be exhibiting and can be found at stand I82. It will be lovely to catch up with friends and colleagues from far and wide. I will be displaying my usual eclectic mix of books and ephemera, with items relating to history, the graphic arts, medicine, science, and books by and for women. The theme this year is ‘Banned Books’, and I will have a few related items on display – if not necessarily banned, certainly a few clandestine ‘under the counter’ publications as it were.

Venue:
Saatchi Gallery, London, SW3 4RY

Preview by Invitation
Thursday 15 September: 5-9pm.

Open Hours
Friday 16 September: 11-8pm
Saturday 17 September: 11-6pm
Sunday 18 September: 11-5pm

You can find details of the fair at: https://www.firstslondon.com

Please click here for a short-title listing.

One particular highlight is an early example of a photographically illustrated book created by Josef Georg Böhm- a photographic copy of a 1640s manuscript relating to Tycho Brahe dealing with trigonometry, Photographische copies von Tycho Brahe’s Manuscript. One of only five copies produced, it is currently the only one in private hands – with no copy in the US. It was produced privately in Prague  in 1862 and has a wonderful description by the author of the technical challenges faced trying to take the photographs of the manuscript. For a full description of the book please click Bohm_Brahe

62nd New York Antiquarian Book Fair

It is with great pleasure that I will once again be exhibiting at the New York Antiquarian book fair. It will be wonderful to meet friends old and new, especially after the two-year hiatus. If you are able to attend the fair, I will be at book B4, once again sharing with Leo Cadogan. Please let me know if you are in need of a ticket.

For an illustrated catalogue of selected highlights please click Armory Selection

For a short-title list of all the items wending their way to the Armory click NY22 Short Title List

Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair

I am delighted to be exhibiting at the forthcoming in-person

 Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair. 

Now in its 64th edition, the Antiquarian Booksellers Association’s fair is taking place for the first time at the Saatchi Gallery in Sloane Square, from 21st to 24th October 2021

For a complimentary e-ticket (Friday to Sunday) please click here

Autumn Bulletin – an illustrated catalogue of highlights

Firsts London Short title

I very much look forward to seeing you at the fair and can be found at Stand I61. 

Opening Hours:

Thursday 21st October: 5pm – 9pm (private preview – invitation only)

Friday 22nd October: 11am – 7pm

Saturday 23rd October: 11am – 6pm

Sunday 24th October: 11am – 5pm

Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s Square, King’s Road, London, SW3 4RY

Firsts Online

I am delighted to be taking part in the Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association next event, Firsts Online from 20-25 May 2021.
Over 115 exhibitors from 15 countries will be offering over 2,000 highlights from 2pm GMT on Thursday 20 May. Highlights are fresh to the market with new items added throughout the event. We encourage you to visit the website regularly to see the newly added items.

You can reach my exhibitor page here:

In addition to the fair, the ABA has also organised three online Webinars, scheduled to coincide with Firsts Online. In partnership with The Book Collector, the three online talks are moderated by Michael Caines, Assistant Editor of the Times Literary Supplement.

Collecting Online: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Collecting Rare Books On The Internet.
Friday 21st May 2021 at 5PM BST
Learn more here.

Collecting Botanical Prints and Illustrations
Saturday 22nd May 2021 at 5PM BST

Learn more here.

Collecting Genre/Fiction
Monday 24th May 2021 at 5PM BST
Learn more here.

And in other news …

26th Mar 2021
Following the AGM held 25th March 2021, the ABA has announced its new president and council, who will help lead the ABA and its members in the coming years.

Interview with Deborah Coltham, the ABA’s new Vice-President

04th May 2021
Deborah Coltham was elected as Vice-President in March 2021. We spoke with her on her new role and her advice to booksellers during this time.

https://aba.org.uk/news/interview-with-deborah-coltham-the-abas-new-vice-president