Book Fairs

Fairs have become a main source of business for many booksellers. These range from high-end fairs such as Firsts London where the rarest books are typically offered, to more relaxed events such as the long list of those organised by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association.

Fairs that focus on specific sectors of the books and works on paper market like maps, ephemera and photographs are also held throughout the year.


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Booksellers team up at New York fair to sell major collection chronicling the first Europeans in America

05 April 2024

Four dealers are behind the sale of the R David Parsons collection at the New York book fair

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BAFTA awards accepted for American fair

25 March 2024

Norfolk dealer Voewood Rare Books will offer two prototype BAFTA awards at a US book fair where the UK is well represented this year.

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Obituary: Book dealer Gerald William Mosdell (1935-2024)

26 February 2024

Friends, family, customers and booksellers from across the UK gathered in Colwyn Bay on February 12 to say their last goodbyes to Gerry Mosdell.

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Books and photos boom but ephemera fairs down in number

26 February 2024

Themed fairs are an added reason to head for Etc Fairs’ events held in London at the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury WC1.

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California fair reveals a 19th century version of AI

29 January 2024

Catalogue of ‘mechanised thought’ counts as one of the stand-out items for sale at San Francisco event

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Spa town’s book fairs boom again

02 January 2024

Revived event in Tunbridge Wells is full with a waiting list, reflecting the strong national trend

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Price helped by ‘voice beyond the grave’

13 November 2023

A first edition, first impression presentation of WB Yeats’ first book, Mosada (1886), was among the standout sales at the Boston Antiquarian Book Fair.

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Bumper selection of British dealers among Boston exhibitors

16 October 2023

Among the highlights at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (BIABF) is a first edition of a 19th century German children’s book.

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‘Long live York’ is the books cry

09 October 2023

Increased private buying plus overseas trade purchases boost the huge annual extravaganza of the York National Book Fair.

Brockholes Nature Reserve

PBFA marks 50th with launch of Bath showpiece

11 September 2023

The PBFA (Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association) will celebrate its 50th anniversary in style next year with two new fairs: in Bath and Tunbridge Wells.

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Books begin new chapter with a binder

11 September 2023

An ex-fashion buyer book lover turned bookbinder is one of the stallholders at Home and Vintage Living, organised by Jules Langley.

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New PBFA fairs launched and rise in membership create positive vibes in books sector

09 September 2023

The membership figures for the PBFA (Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association) are looking robust with 25 new members in the past 12 months, bringing the total to around 400.

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Books fair report: Take the natural approach in Preston

07 August 2023

A setting with lots of water next to valuable books may not seem an obvious fit but it was a successful match

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Very early printed work to be found down south

17 July 2023

'Antipodum, nobis, incognita': how a great southern land is labelled (“the Antipodes unknown to us”) in one of the first mentions in print.

Witchcraft book

PBFA returns to north west with Preston fair

19 June 2023

The Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA) has launched a new two-day premier book fair to take place in Preston this summer.

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Book fairs in London post encouraging results

05 June 2023

London’s two big book events running simultaneously reveal major sales with visitors to Firsts up by a third.

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Not quite in Stuttgart but Germany’s leading book event returns

05 June 2023

The Stuttgart Rare Book Fair, Germany’s leading fair for the rare book and prints trade, is returning after the pandemic for an anniversary event from June 16-18.

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PBFA event: They’ll love it in London

08 May 2023

The PBFA’s London International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place on May 20-21. Book dealer and PBFA publicity manager Jeremy Carson explains to ATG what to expect this year

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Firsts fair commits to spring slot in future

08 May 2023

'Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair' is returning to its usual May schedule this year and is committed to a spring date.

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Two’s company in Cambridge

08 May 2023

Sarah Key and Phil Salin celebrated 30 years at the helm of the PBFA’s Cambridge Premier book fair in February. They chat to ATG about changes facing the fair, recent trends in the trade – and working together as a married couple

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