Final day at the 2024 Amsterdam Congress - Collection visits and a memorable gala dinner

The third and final day of the 2024 Congress began, of course, by boat, taking the booksellers to Allard Pierson, the collections of the University of Amsterdam. A light drizzle and a cold day didn't dampen everyone's enthusiasm, even if a bit of fatigue crept in on day 3.

The "Allard Pierson" is the museum and heritage collection of the University of Amsterdam, named after Allard Pierson, the university’s first professor of archaeology. It houses extensive collections that span the history of human culture, including archaeological artifacts, historical objects, manuscripts, and rare books. Its holdings encompass treasures from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and contemporary visual arts.

During the entire congress, all participants were divided into different groups. The editor, for example, visited the Jewish library in Allard Pierson and can report on this experience here.

The Jewish library at the Allard Pierson, the Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana, is one of the most important collections of Judaica and Hebraica in Europe, holding an extensive range of materials that reflect Jewish history, culture, and religion. The collection includes manuscripts, printed books, pamphlets, periodicals, and archival materials. Notable items include rare Hebrew Bibles, works on Jewish philosophy, literature, and law, as well as documents that chronicle the lives of Jewish communities, particularly in the Netherlands. Established by the Rosenthal family in the 19th century, it serves as a valuable resource for scholars and the public interested in Jewish heritage.

From the Jewish collection, we moved on to a completely different subject, which shows the wide range of collections at this fascinating institution. The comics collection at the Allard Pierson in Amsterdam is one of the largest in the Netherlands and celebrates the art and history of comics and graphic storytelling. It contains thousands of comic books, graphic novels, strips and related materials and features works by both Dutch and international artists, including iconic publications and lesser-known gems. It also includes original artwork, sketches and manuscripts, providing an insight into the creative process of comic book production. Archivist and librarian Jos van Waterschoot kindly brought out some real treasures to admire: early editions of Dutch classics, original editions and art by legendary European creators, but also some fascinating underground and alternative comics and original artwork by renowned Dutch illustrators.

After the visit to Allard Pierson, the booksellers took a break to meet for lunch. And here we pause for a moment.

It must be acknowledged what wonderful venues our Dutch colleagues found for us.
Dutch hospitality and the fantastic food were an important part of this well-run and successful congress. And many a deal and other business opportunities have been discussed over lunch or dinner during the congresses over the years.

After lunch, it was time for the last item on the congress 2024 agenda: the City Archives of Amsterdam or: Stadsarchief Amsterdam.
The archive serves as the official repository for the historical records of Amsterdam. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive municipal archives in the world, holding an extensive collection of documents, maps, photographs, drawings, and audio-visual materials that chronicle over 700 years of the city's history.
The archive is housed in the impressive De Bazel building in the city center, offering both public exhibitions and research facilities.
We were first shown most interesting examples of official documents from the city government as well as historical maps and map books detailing the development of Amsterdam over the centuries.

The Archive also holds millions of birth and death certificates, as it preserves records dating back to the establishment of civil registration in the Netherlands in 1811. Registers of millions of individuals born in the city as well as millions of death records occurring in Amsterdam, also starting from 1811, with detailed information for genealogical and historical research.
Many of us were overcome with a sense of humility, surrounded by the lives of millions of people, especially given the city's tragic history during the Nazi era, when 10 per cent of the city's population was murdered, as our guide explained.

The last day of the congress traditionally ends with a farewell dinner, and the Dutch team really put on a show.

After another magnificent boat trip on the canal (we are already missing it!), we were taken to the "West Indisch Huis", a historic building that once served as the headquarters of the Dutch West India Company and played an important role in the colonial history of the Netherlands, including the founding of New Amsterdam (now New York City). And who would greet the booksellers as they disembarked? Pieter Stuyvesant, the Dutch colonial leader of New Amsterdam!

The 2024 ILAB congress was exemplary of everything that ILAB stands for: a sense of community, a constant interest in learning, travelling, seeking out new experiences, hospitality and the shared love of printed books.
It is rare to find so many like-minded people in one group, another reason why congresses have always been so popular. Alongside business, friendships are formed here that often last a lifetime.

During the gala dinner, Dutch bookseller Ton Kok shared a few of his personal ILAB memories, which included some amusing anecdotes.
Past President Sally Burdon was honoured with the ILAB Medal for special services and the Dutch organising team was thanked wholeheartedly.

To name the 2024 ILAB Congress Team:
Arine van der Steur,
Sascha Kok,
Liesbeth and Edwin Bloemsaat and
Laurens Hesselink.

And not to forget that the Amsterdam Congress had been in the making since 2016 and was initially planned for 2020 and then cancelled due to the pandemic.
ILAB's thanks also go to
Frank Rutten, Ingrid Oei, Monja Burgers, Joanna Rozendaal and again Sascha Kok and Arine van der Steur for doing all the ground work many years ago.

But after the congress is before the congress: a new congress location has already been found. Markus Brandis, president of the German Antiquarian Booksellers' Association, then announced to the assembled group that his association was inviting their ILAB colleagues to the next ILAB Congress in Berlin in September 2026, followed by a book fair.
If that wasn't a reason to celebrate? And some colleagues certainly did!

See you in Berlin from 14-17 September 2026 for the 46th ILAB Congress!