The 32nd annual Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association’s Chelsea Rare Book Fair opens today at Chelsea Old Town Hall on London’s King’s Road with a selection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, and ephemera from a wide range of 80 international exhibitors.
Running today 2pm – 7pm (tickets £10) and November 2 from 11am until 5pm (free entry all day), events include:
* A History of Book Collecting (November 1, 4pm) with Andrea Mazzocchi from Bernard Quaritch focusing on print history from medieval manuscripts to modern first editions, and looking at trends and fashions in book collecting
* Book Collecting: Where to begin (November 1, 5pm) with Rebekah Cron of Fold the Corner Books aiming to guide first-time and younger collectors in particular, including the basics of collecting rare books and building collections. Rebekah will visit several exhibitors to discuss how to spot first editions, take care of books post-purchase and the benefits of building relationships with ABA and PBFA dealers.
* Modern First Editions: Highlights of Chelsea Book Fair (November 2, 2pm) with Les Ashton of Ashton Rare Books explaining what really makes a book a ‘highlight’ with an emphasis on the importance of dust jackets, signatures, associations, fashion, and scarcity in making a title and a particular copy special.
* Books and Their Bindings: From the mundane to the beautiful (November 2, 3pm) led by Tom Lintern-Mole of Antiquates who will wander around the fair, commenting on books entirely by their covers and binding types
The ABA Chelsea Rare Book Fair is presented by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) in collaboration with the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).
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