There are book fairs both large and small. Many annual book related events have storied histories, storied participating dealers and occasionally famous collectors. The Boston book fairs have all of them. The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is about to make its annual appearance at the Hynes Convention Center November 7-9. If you have an interest or, if you are lucky enough to have a bibliophilic obsession, when you join the scrum, you’ll know you are in the right place. Twenty-five years ago, you could get a jolt by walking into Goodspeed’s. Anymore the dealers and their everyday stock live online. The book fairs have become the once-a-year opportunities to meet and discuss what they have and what you are pursuing.
Equally important, if you have interesting material but have no idea what to do with it, plan to walk the show with a list of what you have. Have 7 copies because your list is going to be eagerly evaluated and your copies will quickly disappear. Be sure your contact information is clear and complete. If your material is appealing, expect requests for appointments.
It turns out, book fairs are about buying AND selling. Have a great time.
Now here is the fair’s official release.
THE BOSTON INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR, RETURNS TO THE HYNES CONVENTION CENTER IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON, NOVEMBER 7-9, 2025
Rare book collecting is experiencing a resurgence, particularly among younger generations,
who are drawn to the physicality and historical significance of these unique items
BOSTON, MA – The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (BIABF) celebrates its 47th year at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston’s Back Bay, November 7-9, 2025. This annual fall event features the top international dealers offering the most sought-after collections of fine and rare books, maps, illustrations, and ephemera available on the global market.
Sanctioned by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the fair’s specialties encompass art, design, music, science, medicine, literature, history, gastronomy, fashion, philosophy, and much more. For information, visit www.abaa.org/bostonbookfair or call 617-938-8879.
More than 100 rare book dealers from Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Serbia, and 22 U.S. states will exhibit an alluring treasure trove for seasoned bibliophiles and first-time attendees. Prices range from the millions to the eminently affordable. Whether immaculately preserved or intriguingly weathered, each item tells its own story. Booksellers hold a seemingly bottomless wealth of knowledge, both artistically and historically, about each item in their collections. A complete list of exhibitors can be found at https://www.abaa.org/bostonbookfair/exhibitor-list1
Whether browsing or buying, the Fair offers something for every taste and budget—books on art, science, fashion, politics, travel, cooking, sport, natural history, first editions, Americana, music, children’s books, and much more—appealing to a range of collectors and casual browsers. From the historic and academic to the religious and spiritual, from the exotic to everyday—the Fair represents every conceivable genre and subject. Attendees will have the unique chance to view and buy rare and historic museum-quality items, offered by some of the most prestigious members of the trade. The event features fine and rare printed materials from around the world, including illuminated manuscripts, modern first editions, ephemera, photographs, maps, and autographs, as well as antiquarian books on a vast array of topics.
“Rare book collecting is taking on new life among younger and more diverse audiences, drawing everyone from rare book connoisseurs to new audiences intrigued by the power of the printed word and image,” says Julie Roper, CEO of Capricorn Event Management, who has managed the Fair since 2015. “Younger collectors are redefining the concept of collecting and rare books as a whole. What once catered largely to scholarly circles has grown into a full-fledged cultural showcase, elevating itself well beyond a bibliophile’s paradise—this is an event where literary collectibles, academic, and high-end art sensibilities collide.”
For anyone with a passion for rare books, the Fair is an event that pulls you in with the promise of rediscovering the past in ways you never expected. Fairgoers can expect to find one-of-a-kind manuscripts, groundbreaking scientific works, historical Americana, centuries old atlases and bibles, and signed first editions that hang in the balance between cultural artifact and high-end collectible.
With 100+ dealers, each with their space filled to the brim with offerings, there is something for everyone, from an impulse-friendly $50 gem to multi-million-dollar rarities. Regardless of the cost, it is the thrill of discovery that unites them all—finding something rare, beautiful, and timeless. For those wanting to start a collection without breaking the bank, there will be dealers offering “Discovery” items priced at $100 or less. Remarkable finds remind us that at the Boston Book Fair, serendipity is half the thrill—there’s always a corner table or hidden shelf waiting to impress even the most seasoned collector.
A weekend of special programs will kick off with an Opening Night celebration on Friday, November 7, from 4-8pm; and feature in-person talks all weekend. For a complete list, visit www.abaa.org/bostonbookfair/speakers-and-programming
HOURS & ADMISSION
Friday, November 7, Opening Night, 4PM-8PM. Tickets: $25 (available online or at the box office)
Saturday, November 8, 12PM-7PM. Free admission.
Sunday, November 9, 11AM-4PM. Free admission.
LOCATION
Hynes Convention Center (Hall A), 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115
The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is sponsored by the New England Chapter of the ABAA.
