ANTIQUARIATSMESSE STUTTGART
ALL EXHIBITORS CAN BE VIEWED HERE
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60 years a fair: "A treasure hunt with a connoisseur's eye" or "Gutenberg is to blame for everything"
These were some of the headlines in the press in earlier years for the opening of the Stuttgart Rare Book Fair, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
After the launch of fairs in London and New York, the German Antiquarian Booksellers Association ran their first fair in 1962 which makes the fair one of the oldest and most successful of its kind worldwide.
"It is actually quite unusual for antiquarian booksellers to go public. Last year's success, however, justifies the undertaking: Not only is a larger group of interested parties and buyers made aware of the work of the antiquarian booksellers. The market generally gains a stronger, independent weight alongside the book and art markets," wrote the German Handelsblatt in 1963, for example.
60 continuous years of this rare book fair are also 60 years of German antiquarian and book trade history.
The Stuttgart Rare Book Fair, Germany's leading fair for the rare book and prints trade, is now taking place again after a longer break due to the pandemic. Since it was founded in 1962, the fair has been an annual meeting place for the German trade but also international visitors and exhibitors. Due to ongoing renovation work and pandemic-related postponements at its traditional venue, the fair will be held this year in Ludwigsburg's "Forum am Schlosspark", in close proximity to its traditional location in Stuttgart.
The baroque city of Ludwigsburg is not only the perfect backdrop, but also stands out as an ideal host for this year's fair. A city between modernity and a strong sense of history, art and literature, where literary and bibliophile masterpieces, graphic art, cartography, autographs, manuscripts, incunabula or works of modern will find a fitting sales venue.
59 rare bookshops and galleries will present the entire spectrum of the rare book and graphic arts trade from 16 to 18 June 2023. In addition to the German participants, the German Association of Antiquarian Booksellers also welcomes numerous international exhibitors this year: rare booksellers from Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom and Denmark.
"Finally, a fair again! This simple phrase has been heard again and again in conversations in the trade over the past few weeks. After a three-year interruption, compensated for by two virtual trade fairs, the fair will once again be the highlight of our trade. To this end, the Stuttgart Rare Book Fair is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, a feast for book gourmets! Rare booksellers have prepared a wonderful meal for all bibliophiles and laid the table lavishly. Let yourself be tempted to devour great literature in splendid first editions, wander through the fascinating world of old prints from all fields of knowledge and all times. Rare prints, manuscripts, autographs, manuscripts will make your eyes light up - and certainly whet your appetite."
Dr. Markus Brandis, Chairman of the Association
Every year, German and international rare booksellers and galleries present rare books, prints, autographs, maps and illustrated works. Since 1962, the fair has provided a framework for the German rare book trade and reflects Germany's long history of the art of printing as well as the publishing and book trade. The fair is an integral part of the regional cultural calendar as well as the fair calendar of the international antiquarian book trade.
The 60th Antiquarian Book Fair Stuttgart will not take place at its traditional location in Stuttgart, but at the Ludwigsburg "Forum am Schlosspark".
Address:
Forum am Schlosspark
Stuttgarter Str. 33
D- 71638 Ludwigsburg
A printed catalogue will be available from 16 May and can be purchased from the Association's office at a price of 10 euros.
The catalogue is also available for Download HERE.
Since 1949, the VDA has been the most important network of the German rare book trade. The members of the association are committed to serious and professional trading in accordance with the guidelines of the international umbrella organisation, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, ILAB.
Every year, the VDA organises the Stuttgart Rare Book Fair as the largest showcase for the antiquarian and print trade in Germany.
Office:
Norbert Munsch, Seeblick 1, 56459 Elbingen
Tel.: +49 (0) 6435 90 91 47
E-mail: buch@antiquare.de
Please contact our press officer for print-quality image files and further information or fair entry requests.
Angelika Elstner
Public Relations
Tel.: +49 (0) 6435 90 91 47
E-mail: elstner@antiquare.de
Geschäftsstelle: Norbert Munsch
Seeblick 1, 56459 Elbingen
Fon +49 (0)6435 909147
Fax +49 (0)6435 909148
E-Mail buch[at]antiquare[dot]de