As revealed in this supplement – the third instalment in ATG’s annual series on the sector – it’s a market that’s quietly but confidently evolving, defying those who thought the digital era would relegate it to obsolescence.
The key to survival in all markets is accessibility, a reality appreciated particularly by players in this sector. They share a determination to shed the perception that their collecting area is fusty, masculine and strictly for connoisseurs. To this end, bold moves by fair organisers, dealers and auctioneers are opening books, maps and prints to a wider range of collectors.
Of all these developments, perhaps the most transformative will be what fair organisers are doing, as they reinvent live events to ensure they continue to weather the digital storm.
The relocation of The ABA Rare Book Fair London to the Battersea-based Evolution venue was an intelligent decision, providing more pitches at less cost for exhibitors. Indeed, the range of prices at the umbrella Rare Books London festival of events is huge – starting at £30 and rising to £500,000 and more.
Other market drivers include the emergence of newer collecting fields, such as travel, modern firsts and photobooks. Smaller but increasingly dedicated markets such as private press books are experiencing a fillip too, thanks to the enduring popularity of the artists in this medium.
All these aspects of the collecting zeitgeist are covered in the following pages. For our part in the accessibility drive, we have worked hard to make the supplement as engaging as possible. We hope you enjoy reading it.
