Under the Auspices of ILAB - International Antiquarian Book Fairs Across the World

Over the year and on all continents, there is an exquisite selection of antiquarian book fairs, where book collectors and the world’s leading experts share their passion for the printed book and our written heritage. Under the auspices of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) and organized by ILAB’s member associations amazing book fairs are held in Europe and America, Asia and Australia, from London and Paris to New York and California, Tokyo and Melbourne. The exhibitors are ILAB affiliates who guarantee high professional standards, high quality offers, the authenticity of the books, prints, autographs and ephemera for sale which are exactly described and accurately priced. On all these fairs, officially supported by ILAB, there is more than just the fascination of rare books: Here you can buy with confidence and trust in the expertise of the exhibitors.

ILAB antiquarian book fairs have a long tradition. The oldest one, the London International Antiquarian Book Fair at National Hall Olympia, will be held for the 59th time in 2016. Since their beginnings, the ILAB Fairs are highly esteemed throughout the world. The book fair season 2015/2016 will start in early November in Toronto, Canada, and Chelsea (London), UK. As soon as the fairs are closed the intellectual curious will pack their bags and suitcases to fly to Boston, United States, then back to Stuttgart, Germany, again to the US to visit the world’s largest gathering of antiquarian booksellers in California, and further on to New York, and Paris.

Enjoy the wide range of beautiful, rare, extraordinary and valuable books offered wherever you see the logo of the League.

Whether you already have your own personal library or would like to dive into the world of collecting, this is your opportunity to explore the world of books with the leading experts in their fields. Whether you are an experienced or novice book collector, a librarian or an archivist, a scholar or an academic, or are simply interested in books and the book arts in general, this is your chance to find something to your taste. And be sure:

If you have once experienced the fascinating feeling of finding a book, you have never thought you were looking for, you will never be able to stop again.

Save the dates in your calendar!

Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair

November 6-8, 2015
Baillie Court at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto (Canada)

The 2015 Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair (TIABF) is the only international antiquarian and collectible book fair in Canada. Rare book dealers from across Europe and North America will bring a wide ranging selection of books, maps, prints and manuscripts - including travel and exploration, natural history, science and technology, children’s and illustrated, fine press and limited editions, modern first editions and signed volumes.

Organized by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada, ABAC

More information: www.torontoantiquarianbookfair.com

25th Chelsea Antiquarian Book Fair

November 6-7, 2015
Chelsea Old Town Hall, London (United Kingdom)

The friendliest and most approachable event of the antiquarian book fair calendar: Over its life, the Chelsea Antiquarian Book Fair has become a fixture for collectors and dealers from Britain, Europe and America. Book collectors love the fair, dealers have time to talk. ‘See you at Chelsea’ has become a phrase familiar to everyone in the British rare book trade. With Christmas around the corner, are you looking for an unusual and memorable present? Or is there a subject, author or period of history that especially attracts you? If so, then Chelsea is the right place for you to meet and talk to antiquarian booksellers!

And if you don’t have time to go to Chelsea, take the plane to Toronto or to Boston, the next stops on the ILAB trip to the most exciting antiquarian book fairs of the season.

Organized by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association, ABA

More information: www.chelseabookfair.com

39th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair

November 13-15, 2015
Hynes Convention Center, Boston (United States)

The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is one of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book shows in the United States. Rare book dealers from the United States, England, Germany and The Netherlands offer rare, collectible and antiquarian books, modern first editions, manuscripts, autographs, maps, atlases, and a plethora of other literary ephemera.

Organized by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, ABAA

More information: www.bostonbookfair.com

55th Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair

January 29-31, 2016
Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart (Germany)

The first event of the bibliophile year: For more than 50 years the Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair attracts dealers and collectors from all over the world . Exhibitors from Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria, France and the Netherlands show rare and valuable medieval manuscripts, books, autographs, and modern prints. Four weeks before the fair a Book Fair Catalogue is published featuring the highlights of the 2016 offers.

Organized by the German Antiquarian Booksellers' Association, VDA

More information: www.stuttgarter-antiquariatsmesse.de

49th California International Antiquarian Book Fair

February 12-14, 2016
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA (United States)

"Even if you are not a collector, if you have ever read a book, it's a place to go to find out what you haven't read, or just what you haven't seen or didn't know exists" - Tony Bill

Probably the world's largest and most prestigious exhibition of antiquarian books: The California International Antiquarian Book Fair will offer something exciting for every book lover and collector. Visitors can purchase rare items from medieval manuscripts to collectible editions of authors into the 21st century. There will be unusual books on travel and exploration, literature, the arts, science and medicine, children's books, and Americana. First, signed, and limited editions of many important authors will be present, plus collections of original photographs, prints by renowned artists from the 16th to the 21st century, and remarkable examples of book making, binding, and typography from throughout the world.

Organized by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, ABAA

More information: www.cabookfair.com

55th New York Antiquarian Book Fair

April 7-10, 2015
The Park Avenue Armory, New York (United States)

"The best book fair in the world." - Andy Rooney

“It is exciting in a way you probably don't expect when you just hear the word Book Fair. Well, to me it is just as exciting as sitting in the dark of the theatre and watch a horror film! This experience is not horror. But it's just as exciting!” - Yoko Ono

Book lovers will find a fascinating treasure trove at the Park Avenue Armory. Over 200 American and international dealers will exhibit at The New York Antiquarian Book Fair, bringing a vast selection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, illuminated manuscripts and ephemera.

Organized by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, ABAA

More information: http://nyantiquarianbookfair.com

Salon International du Livre rare, de l'Autographe, de l'Estampe et du Dessin

April 22-24, 2016
Nef du Grand Palais, Paris (France)

One of the most prestigious fairs of its kind in the world, this annual event attracts both collectors and the curious. The Paris Fair offers its ever increasing number of visitors a panorama of the highlights of our written heritage, together with a selection of engravings and drawings, presented by leading professionals from around the world. Manuscripts, incunabula, exceptional bindings, early maps and photographs, autographs, old and contemporary prints and drawings, provide a fascinating pot-pourri of works for the collector and neophyte alike. Nearly two hundred national and international dealers unveil thousands of exceptional documents, various exhibitions and animations are also scheduled during the event - a rich programme is guaranteed to charm the visitor to the fabulous glass-domed Grand-Palais.

Organized by the Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne, SLAM

More information: www.salondulivreancienparis.fr

The series of antiquarian book fairs, officially supported by ILAB, will continue:

Next stops for bibliophiles will be Madrid in Spain, Milan in Italy, Tokyo in Japan, the London International Antiquarian Book Fair – the oldest fair worldwide – and the summer highlight: Melbourne Rare Book Week.

We will keep you informed.