About the Fair
The London International Antiquarian Book Fair, Olympia is the only truly international fair of its kind in the UK and attracts over 3,500 visitors every year.
The Fair is run by the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) as its flagship event. In the 52 years since its launch in 1958 it has grown into the largest quality antiquarian book fair in the UK.
The mix of dealers from 18 countries around the world creates a genuinely intercontinental flavour which is of course reflected in the stock on view.
Visitors will enjoy an unparalleled choice of highest quality collectors’ items ranging from Modern First Editions to Incunabula, from Plate Books to Maps and Atlases, from Pamphlets to Poetry, from Photography to Illustrations, to name a few.
All of the book dealers exhibiting at the Fair are members of national antiquarian booksellers associations from all over the world. This means that they are affiliated to the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) and as such have agreed to be bound by a code of ethics and good practice.
The fair is held in the well known London venue, the Olympia Exhibition Centre, easy to reach by public transport and car (outside the congestion charging zone) and with excellent catering facilities.
A series of events will be held at the fair and details will be announced on the website.
Buying with Confidence
Your Assurance of Professional and Ethical Standards
The Fair is organised by the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) and is officially sanctioned by the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), the largest trade organisation of its kind in the world.
This means that the customer can rely upon the experience and professionalism of participating dealers and the authenticity of items available for purchase.
Simply stated all books, manuscripts and related material have been carefully examined for completeness and bibliographical accuracy.
The level of inspection will ordinarily depend upon the value of the items offered.
Any item is returnable for a full refund if defects or bibliographical inaccuracies are found, provided that material is returned in the same condition as when it was sold and that the request is made within thirty days of the purchase.
All fair exhibitors are obliged to abide by this warranty.
Downstairs at Olympia
After the successful launch of this new area in 2009 the Downstairs section, the fair will once again provide space to bookbinders, private presses and other affiliated trades.
Book Fair Roadshow & Lectures
We are pleased to announce a series of lectures on Friday 4 June 2010 between 1-5pm in the Lecture Theatre at the Fair.
Saturday 5 June from 1-4 pm will see the Book Fair Roadshow.
Visitors are encouraged to bring in books and manuscripts for appraisal by a panel of experts.
For detailed information, go to our Events section.
Charity Preview
The fair will host a Charity Preview on Thursday 3 June from 2 - 4pm before the official fair opening in aid of the Royal Society of Literature, supporting their mission to promote and extend the knowledge and love of English literature. Through public lectures and debates, awards and master classes, the Society encourages writers at all stages, and campaigns on issues affecting readers and writers.
Charity Preview Tickets are £25 per person and can be purchased from the ABA office.
For all information about the Preview and how to purchase tickets, please click here.
Fair Patron
Melvyn Bragg, Patron of the 53rd London International Antiquarian Book Fair, is widely recognised as both author and broadcaster, particularly well known for the late, much lamented, South Bank Show. He is a Fellow and supporter of the Royal Society of Literature. Lord Bragg will open the Fair on Thursday 3 June during the Preview.
