London 2016

Hold History in Your Hands

From May 26th to 28th the halls of Olympia will once again present an unparalleled array of literary material at the London International Antiquarian Book Fair. Now in its 59th year, this major three-day event is one of the largest and most prestigious antiquarian book fairs in the world, showcasing rare, unique and unusual items from 180 leading UK and international dealers.

From medieval manuscripts to modern signed first editions, visitors to the fair can literally hold history in their hands as they view and buy museum-quality books, maps, prints, photographs, manuscripts, ephemera and original artwork. Our exhibitors also welcome you to browse their highlights displayed on this website, and to get in touch prior to the Fair. They will be happy to bring specific items for your inspection, and this is an excellent opportunity to make new contacts in your area of interest.

The Birth of the Gothic

This year the Fair's theme is The Birth of the Gothic: Two Centuries of Frankenstein, Vampires & Byronic Darkness, celebrating the year in which Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Polydori's The Vampyre were conceived on a stormy night at the Villa Diodati. Many exhibitors are bringing related books, prints, and other items, and there will be themed tours and snacks in the cafe, as well as a historic film.

LIVE!

In addition to the regular exhibitors, LIVE! at Olympia is a carefully selected series of exhibitions and live events run by leading professionals. Specialist organisations and craftspeople offer demonstrations of their products and services, and fascinating hands-on workshops (including family-friendly activities) give patrons a chance to dive straight into the world of fine printing, bookbinding, and calligraphy. Both newcomers and seasoned fair-goers will also enjoy guided tours of the show’s treasures led by our expert exhibitors.

> Click here to go LIVE!

London International Antiquarian Book Fair 2016

The London International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place at National Hall, Olympia, from Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th May, showcasing thousands of rare, unusual and unique items from across the globe.

Opening hours:

Thursday 2 pm – 8 pm
Friday 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday 11 am – 5 pm

For more information, please visit the offical website www.olympiabookfair.com