London International Antiquarian Book Fair, 22nd to 24th May 2014
Heavenly Treasures to be Found in London
For three days in May (22nd to 24th) the airy halls of Olympia will once again play host to the London International Antiquarian Book Fair. Now in its 57th year, the Fair is presented and managed by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA), in collaboration with the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). The highlight of the year for book lovers and collectors, this major event brings together over 180 leading dealers from across the globe, offering thousands of rare, unusual and unique items. From the seasoned first-edition fanatic to the novice visitor there’s something for everyone here.
Alongside the glorious historical items from the early days of printing are highly collectable more modern pieces - the flawless first edition of David Copperfield; the rare signed Eliot; the inscribed Shackleton; and the very latest authors’ first editions - not to mention numerous other items to fascinate and tantalise: prints, photographs, manuscripts, ephemera and original art works spanning the centuries, with prices ranging from the accessible £10 to half a million - and occasionally more. You could purchase a text that came off the printing press hundreds of years ago or a photograph of Alfred Hitchcock in a frock!
The happy visitor might discover this extraordinary oil can which houses a catalogue for Poppetgom, an anarchic theatrical production created and performed by Theater Scarabee in 1970, a group of artists led by director Adri Boon. The 224-page book documents the production. Renowned graphic designer Jan Van Toorn proposed the idea of concealing the book inside an oil tin, which had to be opened at the bottom using a can opener (this is an unopened copy). The bulky volume tended to fall apart when removed, and was held in place inside the can by a yellow plastic pillow.
There’s a previously unrecorded photograph album containing holiday snaps of the 23 year old Alfred Hitchcock positively frolicking at Shoreham-by-Sea with his future wife, Alma, and his boss and mentor, the director, Graham (Jack) Cutts - then a leading figure in the British film industry. In this particular photograph Hitch is to be spied preening himself on the tennis court wearing a borrowed dress. Who knows why? Certainly it gives a completely unexpected insight into the young Alfred Hitchcock.
And there is as much to entertain and amuse as to buy. At the heart of the Fair is the dedicated LIVE! area, where our carefully chosen experts will be giving fascinating demonstrations and talks on their specialist subjects. On Saturday there will be activities devised especially for children and families. There will also be themed guided tours of the Fair led by several of our expert exhibitors, offering a deeper look at the Fair’s many treasures, rarities and curiosities.
Live!
If you want to learn more about the fascinating world of antiquarian books then the London International Antiquarian Book Fair is the place to go. At the heart of the Fair is the dedicated LIVE! area. Here carefully chosen experts will be giving fascinating demonstrations, talks on their specialist subjects, and expert guided literary tours, offering a deeper look at the Fair’s many treasures, rarities and curiosities.
Perhaps you’re intrigued by book collecting but fear you can’t afford to indulge then try: Parsimonious Bibliophily: Affordable books and an introduction to book collecting with Roger Treglown. Or for those who’d like to collect contemporary works but don’t know where to begin, there’s Collecting Modern First Editions; What to look for, and why it's not insane with Neil Pearson. For those interested in travel and the book Clive Farahar’s Around the world in eight books: Works on voyages and travel is a literary voyage of discovery.
Talks, Tours, Workshops
Digital Photography for Booksellers and Collectors
Demonstration by Tom Dupré and Austin Farahar of Creative Computing (Stand L04). An overview of various issues which booksellers need to deal with in relation to images, in particular for websites and email marketing.
Historic Japanese Bookbinding Structures
A demonstration by Midori Kunikata-Cockram, Fellow of Designer Bookbinders (Stand L09), of four different Japanese sewing styles accompanied by a display of traditional decorative papers.
Edge Decoration on Miniature Bindings
Demonstration by Designer Bookbinders (Stand L09). Different styles of decorated edges will be created on miniature bindings. Members of Designer Bookbinders will demonstrate solid painted edges, reverse transfer printing, gold leaf transfer, marbling and sprinkled edges.
Sewing and Endbanding
Demonstration by Designer Bookbinders (Stand L09). Demonstrations of a range of historic and contemporary sewing structures and endbanding in different styles.
Demonstrations and Talks by Members of the Fine Press Book Association (Stand L05):
Book Construction, Care and Conservation for Beginners. A talk and demonstration by Extraordinary Editions
Tibetan Woodblock Printing. A demonstration of Tibetan wood block printing by Mark McMurray, Curator of Special Collections, St Lawrence University Libraries, Canton, New York and proprietor of Caliban Press"
Typography & Letterpress. A demonstration by Hand & Eye Letterpress
Illustrating Alice in Wonderland. A talk by Inky Parrot Press
How Gutenberg Inspired the Design of a Recent Book. A talk and demonstration by The Old Stile Press (Stand L10) on the elements of historic design brought into the modern display of dense text and woodcut imagery.
Printing by Letterpress from Woodcut and Photopolymer. Demonstration by The Old Stile Press (Stand L10). A discussion of direct three-dimensional printing of original work by contemporary artists.
Making Paper for Printing a Book. Talk by The Old Stile Press (Stand L10) on making paper by hand and achieving the quality and quantity necessary for printing around 150 copies of a fine press book.
A complimentary book wrapping service by R F Shipping (Stand L03)
Have you purchased an item at the Fair that needs extra protection for your homeward journey? Then please visit the R F Shipping stand where staff will be happy to wrap your purchase for you.
Letterpress Printing
Demonstration and workshop by the St Bride Foundation (Stand L07) of letterpress printing with examples and explanations of hand setting and an introduction to the Adana table top platen press.
Wood Engraving and Linocut
Demonstration and workshop by St Bride Foundation (Stand L07) on the process of wood engraving and linocut from preliminary drawings and design; transferring drawings to blocks; cutting blocks; choosing papers and proofing to printing a small limited edition of black and white prints on a small Galley Press.
Bookselling on the internet: sales, marketing and social media workshop
Seminar by Online Galleries for members of the antiquarian book trade (unsuitable for the general public), covering the best ways to grow and maintain your online presence that will help drive online sales.
Shepherd's Bookbinders
Demonstrations by Shepherd's Bookbinders presenting a selection of archival products aimed at the world of book collecting and library conservation. Eri Funazaki, chief designer at Sangorski & Sutcliffe and fellow of the Designer Bookbinders, will also be demonstrating the art of leather paring and preparing leather for binding.
Free, Fun and Fascinating: Events for Children at the London International Antiquarian Book Fair
At this year’s London International Antiquarian Book Fair, there will also be exciting entertainment specifically for children. Take them along to the drop-in Bookbinding Workshops for Children. Here, very young children can learn how to make a ribbon-threaded scrap book; those who are a little older can make beautiful covers for books, whilst older children will be shown how to make a simple accordion book with folded paper covers.
The workshops will be held on Saturday 24th May, between 11am and 5pm near the Designer Bookbinders stand in the LIVE! area.
Or, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, visit the St Bride Foundation (stand L08) who will be presenting Relief Printing Workshops for Children and Young People where they will learn how to create a simple alphabet from easily obtainable materials. Discover the thousands of rare, unusual and unique items on offer – such as the gorgeous Wind in the Willows original watercolour - and amuse and educate your little darlings too.
London International Antiquarian Book Fair 2014
THE London International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place at National Hall, Olympia, from Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th May, showcasing thousands of rare, unusual and unique items from across the globe.
Opening Hours:
Thursday 22nd May, 2pm - 8pm
Friday 23rd May, 11am - 7pm
Saturday 24th May, 11am - 5pm
Advance Tickets are free of charge via online registration at http://www.olympiabookfair.com/. Tickets available on the door - £10 each or £15 for two. Children - admission free when accompanied by an adult.
The pictures show highlights of this years’ London International Antiquarian Book Fair. Click here to see more or to already buy books before the fair opens!
For more information, please visit the offical website www.olympiabookfair.com
