We are delighted to welcome the return of Firsts, London’s Rare Book Fair on October 21-24 at its new home at Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. This fair is the flagship of the Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association and is considered the most prestigious rare book fairs in the UK.
Biblio is proud to continue its partnership with ABA through the sponsorship of Firsts London 2021. Book fairs are invaluable as a venue for book collectors, book dealers, and other bibliophiles – a venue that extends far beyond the buying and selling of extraordinary books. They also serve as a unique platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and a shared passion for printed material. As the trade continues to expand and evolve, they also represent an unparalleled opportunity to introduce and educate new or would-be book collectors to the deep, rich world of rare books and ephemera.
Just as in previous years, Firsts London 2021 is bringing together leading international dealers exhibiting rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera from ancient times to modern. The Saatchi Gallery’s inspiring setting matches the unrivaled quality of works presented by the experts at the fair, with three floors of gallery space and catering by Canapé Box throughout the venue.
“This October Firsts London will offer booksellers and visitors a well-deserved and much-anticipated opportunity to reconnect, meet and trade in Saatchi Gallery’s inspiring setting, which I am sure will be particularly appreciated by dealers and rare book enthusiasts alike following an eighteen-month period of only being able to attend online fairs and events,” said ABA President and Fair Chairman Pom Harrington.
“While the success of the online fairs proved the format has a permanent place in the antiquarian book-selling landscape, there is nothing that compares to the atmosphere and sense of discovery that a real-life fair provides. This year’s fair artwork, created by children’s book illustrator Korky Paul, captures the spirit of this sentiment with his signature colourful characters meeting at our fair’s iconic new venue. We are looking forward to meeting old friends and welcoming new ones at the fair’s new home.”
Visitors to the fair can expect to find dealers from Europe such as Antiquariat Inlibris Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH (Austria), Librairie Clavreuil (France), Charlotte Du Reitz (Sweden), and Antiquariat Michael Banzhaf (Germany); the United States including Tamino Autographs, Bauman Rare Books, and Imperial Fine Books (all New York), as well as many well-loved names from across the United Kingdom such as Blackwell’s Rare Books, Justin Croft Antiquarian Books, and Daniel Crouch Rare Books.
The new venue is not only an attractive one but a safe one, as well. Saatchi has recently installed a new ventilation system, and additional measures are being made to ensure as safe an in-person fair as possible, including a one-way entry and exit system and hand-sanitizing spaces throughout the gallery.
Kindly note, the Thursday 21 October session is invitation only (or £50 at the door), Friday 22 October is £10 at the door without a ticket, and the weekend sessions are free entry. Those interested in attending may reserve free tickets in advance of the fair.
Amber is the marketing coordinator at Biblio. A lifelong love of the written word brought her to Biblio and she happily spends her days talking about books and delving into the wide world of antiquarian books.
