More Exhibitors Than Ever Before at London Antiquarian Book Fair
The ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers' Association), who organise the London International Antiquarian Book Fair is delighted to announce that 161 exhibitors have now signed up for this year’s fair. Now in its 55th year, the biggest and oldest fair in the UK will take place for the first time in the larger National Hall at Olympia (London W14) in May (Thursday May 24, Friday May 25 & Saturday May 26, 2012).
This year’s fair will be truly international with exhibitors from 15 countries taking part. 41 new exhibitors will be attending for the first time and they will be travelling from all corners of the globe. These comprise: 7 from Germany; 8 from the USA, 1 from France and Belgium, 2 from Sweden, Italy and Denmark and 3 from Australia (including Tasmania), plus 7 London-based dealers, 8 from throughout England and 1 from Northern Ireland.
Among the new exhibitors is Neil Summersgill, who is based in Lancashire. He said: “This is my first ABA summer fair, a pinnacle to which I've aspired for much of my bookselling life, and one of the main reasons for recently joining the ABA. I was fortunate to be a last minute exhibitor at the ABA's Chelsea fair in November and it was vibrant, enjoyable, and for me successful. I've been exhibiting at various London fairs for nearly 20 years but at Chelsea met many buyers new to me, and at Olympia I hope for more of the same.”
The fair will also have more ‘Graphics’ exhibitors than in previous years. 2012 will see 10 exhibitors of visual materials such as maps and prints compared to previous years, where there have been two. New exhibitors include Classic Bindings and Daniel Crouch Rare Books LLP, who are both based in London.
Fair Chairman, Brian Lake of Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers commented: “Stepping up to the National Hall is a big leap for the ABA in these uncertain economic times and I am really delighted with the trade’s reaction - making this the third biggest book fair in the world. I am really pleased that the committee's policy for Olympia 2012 has encouraged a record number of exhibitors - we still have more than two months to go and there is space in our new venue to accept late applicants. Our aim was to bring in new exhibitors with the offer of very reasonably priced 'taster' stands and this seems to have worked with 17 exhibitors taking advantage of this opportunity. We have also kept stand rents overall close to the 2011 prices and the new venue means that we have provided more stand and circulation space.”
Full details of opening hours, location, and travel to Olympia can be found on www.olympiabookfair.com
Tickets to the Fair are free if you register in advance, or may be purchased on the door for £10 each, £15 for two.
This year’s fair will be truly international with exhibitors from 15 countries taking part. 41 new exhibitors will be attending for the first time and they will be travelling from all corners of the globe. These comprise: 7 from Germany; 8 from the USA, 1 from France and Belgium, 2 from Sweden, Italy and Denmark and 3 from Australia (including Tasmania), plus 7 London-based dealers, 8 from throughout England and 1 from Northern Ireland.
Among the new exhibitors is Neil Summersgill, who is based in Lancashire. He said: “This is my first ABA summer fair, a pinnacle to which I've aspired for much of my bookselling life, and one of the main reasons for recently joining the ABA. I was fortunate to be a last minute exhibitor at the ABA's Chelsea fair in November and it was vibrant, enjoyable, and for me successful. I've been exhibiting at various London fairs for nearly 20 years but at Chelsea met many buyers new to me, and at Olympia I hope for more of the same.”
The fair will also have more ‘Graphics’ exhibitors than in previous years. 2012 will see 10 exhibitors of visual materials such as maps and prints compared to previous years, where there have been two. New exhibitors include Classic Bindings and Daniel Crouch Rare Books LLP, who are both based in London.
Fair Chairman, Brian Lake of Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers commented: “Stepping up to the National Hall is a big leap for the ABA in these uncertain economic times and I am really delighted with the trade’s reaction - making this the third biggest book fair in the world. I am really pleased that the committee's policy for Olympia 2012 has encouraged a record number of exhibitors - we still have more than two months to go and there is space in our new venue to accept late applicants. Our aim was to bring in new exhibitors with the offer of very reasonably priced 'taster' stands and this seems to have worked with 17 exhibitors taking advantage of this opportunity. We have also kept stand rents overall close to the 2011 prices and the new venue means that we have provided more stand and circulation space.”
Full details of opening hours, location, and travel to Olympia can be found on www.olympiabookfair.com
Tickets to the Fair are free if you register in advance, or may be purchased on the door for £10 each, £15 for two.
