ILAB is very sorry to announce that the 44th ILAB Congress in Amsterdam, planned for 29 September - 1 October and the 40th Amsterdam International Antiquarian Book Fair, planned for 2 & 3 October have both been cancelled.
Art trade associations have been lobbying to be recognised as “non-essential retail” in phase two of the lockdown exit roadmap; museums will have to wait until phase three in July.
After weeks and weeks of devastating news, ongoing cancellations and postponements, booksellers had to learn to come to terms with the new reality amidst the COVID19 crisis. However, in many places it resulted in positive ideas and initiatives that are worth sharing with the bookselling community. Let's start with a more lighthearted note. Everyone has missed books ... but also music!
The organisers of FIRSTS LONDON, the Antiquarian Booksellers Association UK have announced that the 2020 fair is now cancelled due to the COVID 19 crisis.
Due to the current worldwide COVID 19 - crisis, the Paris Salon du Livre Rare / Paris Rare Book Fair was postponed to a new date in September: 4 - 6 September 2020.
Vividly I do remember the origin of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, in 1947, although certain details become somewhat vague. From 1939-1945 war reigned in Europe. Five long years had put up extra barriers between several nations. There was no communication. This fact enforced extra chauvinism and worse, hatred. Was there a possibility to do something about interhuman relationship, to bring nations more together? This was my dream; but how could this be realised. Only on common ground, on mutual interests, and therefore, for an antiquarian bookseller, by his love, the Book.
Faulkner provides opportunities for the beginning collector, and challenges for the veteran collector. After his literary reassessment in the late 1940s Faulkner's works were printed in larger numbers and collectible copies of most of his later works are readily available. Prior to this, however, Faulkner was neither widely read nor appreciated. Fine copies of his early works are particularly difficult to obtain.
For some reason (and this is what I'm thinking about, not how people don't understand me and I must run off and play some Smiths), people are happy, ecstatic even to buy a car, or a watch, or a vase or a pair of shoes for enough money to feed me for six months … but when they look at a book; they don't see it. It doesn't say "You want me. I'm your treasure." It doesn't make them not want to eat for six months so they can own it ... Apart from feeling like I'd failed slightly, as if I'd somehow let down my vocation by not being able to represent it properly (a recurring theme), it occurred to me that my world is an arrogant one in many respects. Rare book people can often be like teenagers in love, they'll burn the world down for the objects of their desire. Which made me ask; why? Why are we like this?
Book lovers will be busy in the upcoming weeks. From 1st to 8th April the intellectually curious meet in New York City for the Rare Book Week - the largest gathering of its kind with numerous fairs, exhibitions, lectures and auctions. The week is headlined by the 54th annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair, where over 200 international dealers display an astonishing array of rare books, fine art, maps, manuscripts, and ephemera. And as soon as the fair is closed bibliophiles pack again their bags and suitcases to fly to Paris where another major event in the bibliophile calendar takes place: The Salon International du Livre Ancien at the beautiful Grand Palais in Paris is regarded as the most elegant fair worldwide. The prestigious event, in this year's edition the 25th ILAB International Antiquarian Book Fair with even more high-class offers by exhibitors from Europe, the United States, Argentina, and Japan runs from 11th to 13th April and will immediately be followed by the 41st Congress of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). 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! Over the year and on all continents, there is an exquisite selection of antiquarian book fairs under the auspices of ILAB, where book collectors and the world's leading experts share their passion for the printed book and our written heritage. Save the dates in your calendar!
ILAB bookseller Kay Craddock was recently awarded the Lord Mayor's Commendation, an initiative by the City of Melbourne that recognizes small businesses that have operated continuously for at least 50 years. An idea that could be replicated in other cities.
