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Sir David Attenborough to Open ABA Rare Book Fair London at New Venue in Battersea Park

19 March 2018
As Sir David Attenborough says “You could say that, after so many years at Olympia, the Fair has indeed evolved. Most living organisms do.”
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Sir David Attenborough, the much-loved and admired veteran naturalist and television presenter, is an avid collector of rare books and will be opening the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) flagship 61st Fair, which takes place this May in Battersea. For the last 20 years the Fair, which is one of the largest and most prestigious rare book fairs in the world, has taken place at Olympia but this summer it is moving to its new home - the attractive Battersea Evolution venue in Battersea Park.

Sir David Attenborough and Professor Brian Cox to discuss Darwin in new science show (image source: BBC/PA)

“For me, a book brings more than the cumulative meaning of its sentences. It can seduce me by the feel of its paper and the smell of its binding. I delight in recognising whether or not the copy I hold was the work’s first appearance and treasure the misprints or bound-in advertisements that tell me whether or not that was so. And I rejoice if I can discover who once owned it and whose eyes once scanned the printed lines just as mine do.”

Sir David Attenborough, Honorary Member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association and Patron of Honour of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, will open the Fair at 12pm on Thursday 24th May!

Over 160 British and international exhibitors will be showcasing a wide range of rare books, manuscripts, maps, prints, ephemera and original artwork which will include Medieval museum quality manuscripts to modern day first editions such as Harry Potter. Prices will range from tens of pounds to hundreds of thousands of pounds, and the ABA are sure there will be something which will appeal to everyone from serious collectors to those who are new to book collecting.

ABA fair poster

For more information, please visit the website: www.rarebookfairlondon.com

24 - 26 May 2018

NEW VENUE: Battersea Evolution

The Fair is being held at Battersea Evolution, Chelsea Bridge Gate, Battersea Park, London SW11 which is just over Chelsea Bridge in Battersea.

There will be frequent shuttle buses from Sloane Square tube station and Pay & Display parking in and around Battersea Park.