Antiquarian Booksellers Association

A trade body for the UK’s antiquarian and rare book dealers, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) was founded in 1906. It runs the annual London International Antiquarian Book Fair at Olympia as well as the Chelsea Book Fair, with other events organised throughout the UK by the Provincial Book Fairs Association (PBFA).

ABA works closely with the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), the umbrella organisation for 32 countries.


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Collector interview: Cold War propaganda is book buyer's hot topic

18 February 2019

In the latest of our occasional series of collector interviews, we talk to Musa Igrek, who won the ABA Book Collecting Prize 2018 for his assemblage of secretly funded government-sponsored works during the Cold War.

Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe and ABA partner for June fair

11 February 2019

The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) has joined forces with Shakespeare’s Globe as its charity partner for the next edition of its June flagship fair.

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Dealers' association partners with US books portal Biblio for annual fair after dropping AbeBooks

28 January 2019

The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association has signed up US online marketplace Biblio as chief sponsor of its flagship annual fair on June 7-9.

Harrington

Q&A with London’s rare book fair chairman Pom Harrington

28 January 2019

With Biblio as partner and a rebrand of its annual fair, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association is expecting a spike in visitors and exhibitors at its flagship event.

Books

Bookseller boost as number of independent shops grow in the UK

08 January 2019

The decline in independent bookshops in the UK appears to have been halted with growth recorded for the second year in a row.

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Volume with cover illustration by Edward McKnight Kauffer attracts collector at ABA Rare Books fair and other sales from the November event

23 November 2018

A collector of books illustrated by Edward McKnight Kauffer (1890-1954) inched nearer to a complete set at the ABA Chelsea Rare Book Fair.

AbeBooks website

Global bookseller protest against Amazon-owned AbeBooks begins after decision to quit four countries

05 November 2018

The backlash against Amazon-owned AbeBooks over the online book portal’s decision to quit selling in four countries has escalated to an online protest.

AbeBooks website

AbeBooks ‘not suitable sponsor’ for ABA as giant quits four markets

05 November 2018

The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA) has scrapped its sponsorship deal with Amazon-owned AbeBooks after the online book portal chose to quit selling in four countries.

ABA Rare Book Fair

ABA and PBFA fairs change to June dates to align with other summer book events

23 August 2018

The ABA and PBFA rare book fairs as well as ‘The London Map Fair’ and Etc Fairs’ ‘Bloomsbury Book Fair’ will all open during the second week of June next year, realigning dates after around 10 years.

Stationers Hall

Congress for rare book trade set for London in November

11 July 2018

The Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) has released details of the 40th Annual Conference on Book Trade History.

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ABA Fair’s move to Battersea results in invigorated event

15 June 2018

The ABA Rare Book Fair London’s move to Battersea Evolution was marked by a 20% increase in visitor numbers last month, fulfilling organisers’ hopes for an invigorated event at the trendier location.

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Skilling up the book trade

03 May 2018

How do aspiring dealers acquire the skills and expertise needed to enter the rare books or works on paper trade?

Brussells

Proposed EU cultural goods bill ‘unworkable’ say trade bodies

16 April 2018

Book dealers seek change to 250-years-old clause in proposed import licensing law.

ABA Books

Sir David Attenborough will open the ABA Rare Book Fair in new Battersea venue

22 February 2018

The ABA Rare Book Fair will be opened by Sir David Attenborough this year as it launches in its new Battersea venue.

ABA exterior

A tale of two book fairs: ABA and PBFA kick off Rare Books London

05 June 2017

Two antiquarian book fairs held by the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) and Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA) kicked off Rare Books London last week. The ABA’s London International Antiquarian Book ran from June 1-3 and the PBFA’s London International Premier Fair ran from June 1-2. Here, ATG takes you on a journey through the two west London events.

Books body rebrands training scheme after employment law shift

02 May 2017

The Antiquarian Bookdealers’ Association is to rebrand its young booksellers’ apprenticeship scheme as a training programme following a change in employment law.

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Industry bodies and the common bonds that tie the antiquarian book trade together

02 May 2017

From the earliest days a common bond has bound the antiquarian book trade together. And, more than ever, professional standards matter.

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A brief history of book dealing associations

02 May 2017

ATG’s timeline chronicling the history of book dealing associations from 1906 to 2016…

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New chapter for two major books events in London

02 May 2017

For the second year running, two major events – the ABA’s London International Antiquarian Book Fair, running from June 1-3 at the National Hall, Olympia, and the London International Book Fair organised by the PBFA at the ILEC Conference Centre in SW6 on June 2-3 – will run under the marketing umbrella Rare Books London.

Beaux Books

A sneak peek at Rare Books London as ABA takes stand in BADA 2017

27 January 2017

The Antiquarian Booksellers Association will participate in its first BADA fair as it gears up for its summer festival of old and rare books later this year.

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