Where the community lives

The book fair circuit is the essential community event. New York in spring and California and Boston in the autumn are the major American fairs. London Book Fair and the Chelsea Book Fair are the major UK events. These are where serious dealers gather with their best inventory and where the conversations that form the market happen

Fine Books Magazine and Rare Book Review cover the market with depth and seriousness. The ABAA website publishes educational resources including guides to collecting specific authors and periods. AbeBooks maintains a community of collectors and dealers with guides and market commentary. Specialist bibliographic societies for major authors, including the Grolier Club in New York, provide access to expertise and community at the serious end.

CollectorGrade take

The book fair circuit is irreplaceable. The conversations with specialist dealers at a fair, in front of specific books, build knowledge faster than any other activity. Attend fairs as an observer before you attend as a buyer.