Common wisdom holds that one should never judge a book by its cover, but at this month’s edition of Firsts London, the focus is on appearances.
‘The Art of the Book’ is the theme at the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association’s (ABA) flagship fair, which runs from May 16-19 at Saatchi Gallery.
Illustration, illumination, calligraphy and bookbinding are celebrated alongside the contents of great and collectable volumes.
It is in part a reaction to the times says Pom Harrington, chairman of the fair and owner of Peter Harrington Rare Books.
“In an era dominated by digital technologies, modern books have transcended their traditional role as mere reading material or items of record to become cherished physical objects, reminiscent of fine art,” adds Harrington.
“But this is something that has always resonated within the rare book world where illustrations, wood cuts and illuminated works have held a prominent place. Interest in fine bindings and rare private press works is another area we continue to see growing interest, not just in historical private presses, but also modern private press works.”
The fair embraces the trend, seen over many years now, towards one-off volumes rather than, say, first editions, which today can be comparatively easy to track down online - although there are plenty of these available during the event too.
One-of-a-kind appeal
Available for £15,000 from Christian White Rare Books is this wartime sketch-book in which artist John Piper recorded his 1943 summer tour of Devon and Cornwall.
Some of the highlights at the fair are these one-of-a-kind offerings.
Christian White Rare Books features a wartime sketch-book by John Piper which chronicles in pictures his 1943 summer tour of Devon and Cornwall. There is also a book elaborately illustrated with needle-work samples commemorating Queen Victoria’s first trip to Ireland as monarch (£25,000 from Antiquates).
Others are more familiar but renowned for their artistic prowess. A set of the Gould folios of bird illustrations in magnificent Zaehnsdorf binding is available for £2m from Peter Harrington. Paul Foster brings ‘the first interactive book’ ever published, Livre Joujou by M Bres. It was the first to use movable tabs and the third issue from 1875 on offer at the fair features 13 hand-coloured illustrated plates that can be changed by pulling the tabs (£6500).
Something for everyone
Harrington adds that the theme “means every dealer will have something on their stand that is relevant” (previous themes have included banned books and Shakespeare). He also expects it to appeal to visitors.
Just over 100 exhibitors are taking part in the fair, including PY Rare Books, Maggs Bros, Jonkers Rare Books and The Keel Row Bookshop.
Several bring major collections.
AntikBar’s collection of posters, magazines, brochures and other publications by the USSR travel company Intourist, 1929-80s, includes this poster for the USSR Dance Festival, 1936, produced in 1935. The collection is available as a whole for £700,000.
AntikBar, for example, offers its substantial Intourist Collection of Soviet travel posters. Intourist was a Soviet tour operator which ran from 1929-2019, and the collection has been built for 30 years. It includes travel brochures and luggage labels as well as posters, all issued by the travel company during the 20th century, and is offered as a group for £700,000.
Another significant collection on offer is a group of works by Cecil Beaton amassed over a number of years by Beaux Books.
It includes first edition examples of all his books, several with his dust jacket designs, photographs, a drawing and other ephemera, all offered separately.
Elsewhere at the event Lucius Books offers a full set of James Bond first editions for £147,500 - including one signed by Ian Fleming and another by Ian Chopping who designed the dustjackets - and Sophie Scneideman offers for £120,000 a complete set of Doves Press books, which, during nearly 17 years of operation produced many notable examples of 20th century typography.
As well as the host of stands, a series of events takes place. This includes a tour for prospective and previous students of the York Antiquarian Book Seminar, a talk on dust jackets by curator Jeremy Knight, a presentation on colour plate natural history books by dealer Clare Marshall and a discussion of gift books with Oxford professor Nicholas Perkins.
