There are several major international and regional book fairs scheduled between now and April 1st. The “Big Three” of the spring season – London, Leipzig, and Taipei – all fall in the first months of 2026, and when you look just a bit later the Bologna Children’s Book Fair begins April 13th. The Salon du Livre de Geneve escapes mention but certainly deserves to be added. These fairs don’t focus on rare and collectible books.
When adding the terms” rare and collectible” the list of upcoming fairs, the “Rare and Antiquarian” circuit appears instantly. These are smaller, very focused fairs that support those involved in collectible paper:
Stuttgart Rare Book Fair, Stuttgart, Germany January 23-25
Rare Book LA, Pasadena, California described as a massive gathering of West Coast dealers and collectors: February 21-23. 70-80 specialist booksellers are expected for a “boutique” experience. Here’s their website: rarebooksla.com
And then there is the ESA Ephemera 46 Fair, Greenwich, Connecticut, that is described as “The gold standard for paper ephemera (postcards, posters, etc.)." It’s on March 21-22 with 60+ specialists dedicated specifically to paper and ephemera. As to the expected traffic, it’s described as “a highly dedicated niche crowd of several hundred to a thousand serious collectors.” Here’s their website: www.sanfordsmith.com/esafair
Net-net, while the world of both new and old books (and paper) has adapted to the online experience, the in-person experience remains highly valued. If you feel the urge to go, then go. And if you are a Rare Book Hub member, remember your subscription is live on your cellphone. Use our 175 years of auction experience to make
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary pair of books from George Washington’s field library, marking the conjunction of Robert Rogers, George Washington, and Henry Knox. $1,200,000 to $1,800,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary letter marking the conjunction of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin. $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: Virginia House of Delegates. The genesis of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. $350,000 to $500,000.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: (Gettysburg). “Genl. Doubleday has taken charge of the battle”: Autograph witness to the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, illustrated by fourteen maps and plans. $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: President Lincoln thanks a schoolboy on behalf of "all the children of the nation for his efforts to ensure "that this war shall be successful, and the Union be maintained and perpetuated." $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9d2762bc-9f26-47ef-96de-1c28070e19f6.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.")