LINKS
A new project
A few links to get you started
The UK Antiquarian Booksellers Association offers useful information on UK book fairs and booksellers, interesting articles, resources and links on their new, easy to use website.
The Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies has US members and International Affiliates, of which the PLA is one. You may find on their website the address, contact details and link for each of their member clubs, from the Alcuin Society to the Zamorano Club. They offer public access to their newsletter and their blog – which gives details of events and fairs among other news.
Copac brings together the catalogues of over 90 major UK and Irish libraries (and growing). In a single search you can discover the holdings of the UK’s national libraries (including the British Library), many university libraries, and specialist research libraries.
The British Library not only offers on-line access to their immense general catalogue but provides access to hundreds of other databases, digital image repositories, catalogues and bibliographic resources.
The Wellcome Library, membership of which is also free, provides free on-line access to their catalogue and other bibliographical resources. 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE.
The Bookplate Society purpose is to encourage the production, use, collecting, and study of bookplates. The BS achieve this through their publications, members’ auctions, visits to collections, social events, talks, and exhibitions.
‘The Private Library’ blog although not associated with our own organisation, offers excellent resources, links and interesting articles for the book collector.
The Centre for Printing History and Culture is a joint initiative between Birmingham City University and the University of Birmingham and consists of researchers, heritage professionals and librarians. It seeks to encourage research into all aspects and periods of printing history and culture, as well as education and training into the art and practice of printing.
A quick guide to Book Fairs and news sites
There are many web sites dedicated to specific aspects of the book trade and specialists will know of them. Listed below are a few that give an overview of fairs and news:
The Australian & New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers – Represents the antiquarian book trade in Australia and New Zealand.
Lithub — American based daily update on all aspects of the book trade, authors, news, publications and even scandal.
International Book Fair Calendar – Details of international book fairs and festivals.
The Society of Bookbinders — events, competitions and news.
Literary Festivals – gives details of literary events mostly in the UK and Ireland but good coverage of overseas events
The Book Guide – overview of fairs, news, bookshops.
The Bookseller — modern authors and trade news.
Bookfairs.com — North American book fair, literary events and auctions information site that also has international information.
ATypI, Association Typographique Internationale – The global forum and focal point for the type community and business.
Overseas:
There are other European literary events and details of these can be found on 2seasagency.
The book fair schedule in the USA can be accessed vis BookFairs.com based in America has a useful list of book fairs, auctions and literary events listed that are held in North America and overseas.
Bookshops and services to the trade
There are many web sites dedicated to specific aspects of the book trade and specialists will know of them. Listed below are a few that give an overview of bookshops and services to the trade:
Lettering Arts Trust — Site for calligraphy, letterpress, linocut and letter carving workshops.
North Press – Letterpress printers offering training courses.
Vialibri – sourcing rare and out of print books but with insights into the market, pricing and regulations.
The Centre for Printing History and Culture run by the two Universities of Birmingham.
Oxford Guild of Printers – Britain’s leading Fine Press printers, a wide range of design, printing and publishing amateurs and professionals.
Type and Press – International letterpress and printmaking information from a Belgium graphic designer
Watch the experts at work
Videos of proprietors of presses and publishers talking about their art and creative path can be found online with:
Vimeo— a broad brush coverage of the arts including publishers but mostly of painters and installation artists.
Writers and Artists has a comprehensive advice and how to do and who does what in publishing for writers and artists.