FIRST LOOK ⚜️ Beyond books

Today we're looking at some highlights which expand the definition of book art into games, ephemera, and creative housing, from Marlborough Rare Books, Douglas Stewart, Camden Lock Books, ABA, ILAB & IOBA

Browse all our highlights ahead of Firsts: firstslondon.com/highlights

A copper plate engraving of the Heart in Vol.II. 1789, of the Memoirs of the Medical Society of London. I will have the first 4 volumes on offer at the ABA's Flagship Book Fair Firsts at the Saatchi Gallery, King's Road, Chelsea, May 16-19. Follow us @FirstsLondon, c u there!

We look forward to attending, too! Bib Soc will have a stand at this year's fair. Please do come and say hello.

Our partners make it possible to bring you the fascinating items you can get up close and personal with at Firsts London.

We would like to thank our 2024 partners ILAB, AbeBooks, AntiquesTradeGazette and Biblio: Used & Rare Books Marketplace for their continued support!

Join us Firsts London, the UK's premier bookfair for rare books.

We'll be joining over 100 leading booksellers from Antiquarian Booksellers' Association & ILAB to showcase the finest rare and antiquarian books, manuscripts, ephemera, maps and more.
👉🏾 firstslondon.com

FIRST LOOK ⚜️ Embroidered bindings

This magnificent example in black velvet is being shown by Maggs Bros. Ltd.

Browse all highlights: firstslondon.com/highlights

So excited about Firsts London at the Saatchi Gallery in May - you can see full details and a sneak peak at highlights which will be on our stand here: firstslondon.com/exhibitors/pro…

Join us at Firsts London next month. For those unaware, Firsts is the premier rare book event in the calendar, with dozens of dealers from across the world showcasing their finest items. We have a couple of tickets for the preview evening left, so get in touch if you want one.

In this tour of Firsts London, Clare Marshall of Marshall Rare Books will explore the popularity of illustrated natural history books, their relationship to science and exploration, and why books on birds are some of the most beautiful examples.

Register: firsts.artsvp.com/6cfa21?link=ab…

Come join us at the Art of the Book fair in Saatchi Art from 16-19 May!

Don't miss out on the chance to say hello to us Firsts London. See you there!

#ArtOfTheBookfair #SaatchiGallery

📌 Save the Date! We will be exhibiting at Firsts London at the Saatchi Gallery from 16-19 May. More information incl. tickets and highlights: antikbar.co.uk/news_and_event…

#AntikBar #VintagePosters #Books #FirstsLondon [all our Upcoming Events are listed at antikbar.co.uk/news_and_event…]

Attention to detail 🔍

You can now browse highlights ahead of Firsts London on our website. Get up close and personal with some of the extraordinary items that will be on display in just under a month.

Browse all highlights: firstslondon.com/highlights

FIRST LOOK ⚜️ Modern first editions

The art of the book is demonstrated through the colourful and iconic designs for 20th century dust jackets, many of which can be found on display at Firsts London.

Browse all highlights: firstslondon.com/highlights

Get to know Firsts exhibitors ⚜️

Firsts is just one month away and our list of exhibitors at this year's fair is now live on our website.

Browse exhibitors: firstslondon.com/exhibitors

What happens when hi-res 3D recording tech focuses on the material culture of books?

Join Senior Photographer John Barrett to explore recordings of copper printing plates, Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints and more at the @FirstsLondon rare book fair!
firstslondon.com

FIRST LOOK ⚜️ The art of the miniature

Today's highlight is from Camden Lock Books, ABA, ILAB & IOBA, who specialise in miniature books. This copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream is from a 40-volume miniature book set of Shakespeare's works.

Get your tickets for Firsts now: firstslondon.com/about/tickets

Have you got your tickets to Firsts 2024 yet?

Don't miss this unique cultural event.
📍 Saatchi Gallery, London
📅 May 16 – 19, 2024
🎟️ Get your tickets: firstslondon.com/about/tickets

Events at Firsts | Dressed For Success: Judging a book by its cover with Jeremy Knight
Saturday 18th May, 15:00
This tour will be led by Jeremy Knight, of the The Book Collector

Find out more and register for your ticket: firsts.artsvp.com/1775c3/link/so…

Our artwork for Firsts this year is from a 14th century French manuscript illumination depicting court writer Christine de Pisan presenting her book to Jean, Duc de Berry

Special thanks to Bodleian Libraries for this image

Find out more about our theme here: firstslondon.com/about/2024-the…

We're delighted that Friends of the Bodleian is partnering with Firsts London this year!

Register for curator talks on our current 'Write, Cut, Rewrite' and 2023 'Gifts & Books' exhibitions.

And learn about hi-res 3D recording tech focusing on the material culture of books 👇