Bookfair: Firsts London Rare Book Fair

 Battersea park entrance to the fair

The London Rare Book Fair is one of the largest events on the Antiquarian Book Dealer’s Calendar. With over 150 of us flocking to Battersea Park from all around the World, it has a buzzing atmosphere, and we were delighted to exhibit some of our rarest and most exciting books, manuscript materials, prints, original art work and signed first editions earlier this month.

Set up began on Thursday afternoon, with two of our most enthusiastic staff members working well into the evening to transform our stand from a bare skeleton to a treasure trove of delights!

Setting up the Sotheran's stand

With some of our highlights including an original manuscript poem penned by Leonard Cohen to a mystery woman, a copy of Spike Milligan’s ‘Rommel? Gunner Who?’ with one of Stephen Hawking’s last recorded signatures, and a first deluxe edition of ‘House at Pooh Corner’ available for sale, there was plenty from our 188 items to choose from. We were delighted that so many new and prospective customers wanted to speak to us, and of course to meet the many old friends who happened to pop by. Thanks to all of you for your support!

Perhaps top on this book dealer’s list of experiences, however, was hearing Mr Stephen Fry open the whole shebang.