The fall book show in London, the Chelsea Book Fair, is set to take place on November 2-3. The Chelsea Fair is not a huge show like the spring London fair, but offers a more intimate setting where dealers and collectors can get together to talk and trade in their specialties. Indeed, fair organizers speak of Chelsea as a place where you won't be inundated with dealers and books, but as a place where lengthy conversation and opportunities to carefully examine books is still possible. Now in its 22nd year, Chelsea will bring some 70+ booksellers to the floor to display and talk books with the show's visitors.
The Chelsea Fair organizers promote it not just as place for established collectors, but a great place for potentially new collectors to learn about the field. For those who don't know what “yapp edges, pochoir plates or slightly foxed,” means, it is a place to learn. Along with the booths, there are always exhibitions presented to educate the book collector.
The Chelsea Fair is staged by the ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association) of England, in conjunction with ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers). Chairman of the fair committee Leo Cadogan said about the Fair, “The Fair is now in it’s 22nd year and attracts a wide range of enthusiastic buyers, old and young – whether you are looking for that key book to start or finish your collection, or want to buy a memorable and unique Christmas gift for a loved one, the Fair has something for everyone.”
The Fair will be open from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 2, and from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3. It will be held at the Chelsea Old Town Hall on King's Road in the Chelsea section of London. Tickets are £5 for a single, or £7 for a pair, but if you sign up online, you can get your tickets free. Just go to their website and click the link for Complimentary Tickets.
The Chelsea Fair website is found at www.chelseabookfair.com.
