One of the main purposes of ANZAAB is to hold Rare Book Fairs open to the public.
The inaugural Australian Antiquarian Booksellers' Fair was held at Monash University in August 1972. Nine local booksellers, and one London bookseller, Bernard Quaritch, exhibited.
Fifty-two years, and some 51 fairs later, despite a global pandemic and several world crises, ANZAAB continues to hold Annual book fairs.
In past years, the Fair has regularly alternated between Sydney and Melbourne venues. In 1979 and 1992 the Fair was held in Perth and in 2004, the 20th Australian Antiquarian Fair coincided with the 37th ILAB Congress in Melbourne and was held at the historic Royal Exhibition Building in the Carlton Gardens.
For the past few years, there have been two Australian Antiquarian Book Fairs each year - Melbourne in July coinciding with Melbourne Rare Book Week and Sydney in late October/early November.
The Melbourne Rare Book Fair 2023
The 51st Australian Antiquarian Book Fair was held at Wilson Hall at The University of Melbourne in July 2023 over three days.
28 rare and antiquarian booksellers exhibited a wonderful array of rare, beautiful and compelling books, prints, ephemera and works on paper.
The Melbourne Rare Book Fair is held every year in July at Wilson Hall at the University of Melbourne.
Visit the Melbourne Rare Book Fair website for information about the next Melbourne Rare Book Fair
The Sydney Rare Book Fair is held every year in late October/early November at MacLaurin Hall at the University of Sydney
Visit the Sydney Rare Book Fair website for more information about the next Sydney Rare Book Fair
International book fairs run under the auspices of ILAB are held throughout the year by ILAB member Associations.
ANZAAB members exhibit at a number of these fairs.
Visit the ILAB website to see a calendar of all the upcoming international book fairs.