FIRSTS: LONDON'S RARE BOOK FAIR
Saatchi Gallery 15 - 18 May 2025
"I adore gardens and I love books — especially those about plants and gardens. I have collected such books for more than fifty years and ‘Firsts’ brings together some of my favourites and many of the finest. The combination of fine binding, fine printing and botanical wisdom makes such books simply irresistible to me."
- Alan Titchmarsh CBE DL V
Firsts London is one of the most popular and prestigious rare book fairs in the world. Whether you're a collector looking for the next masterpiece to add to your library, or a bibliophile who loves browsing second-hand classics, Firsts London is the event for you. Discover titles by distinguished authors, ephemera from celebrity readers and manuscripts from history's great moments, all in the heart of Chelsea.
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| 15 May 2025: | 5pm - 9pm | |
| 16 May 2025: | 11am - 8pm | |
| 17 May 2025: | 11am - 6pm | |
| 18 May 2025: | 11am - 5pm |
Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York's Square, King's Road, London SW3 4RY
Exhibitor Highlights
Events at Firsts London
Curiosity and Travel: Mark Catesby's Natural History
This talk will introduce the naturalist Mark Catesby (1683-1749) and his work, focusing on the making of his Natural History of the Carolinas, Flora and the Bahamas (1729-1747). The talk will be given by Professor Stephen Harris, Druce Curator of the Oxford University Herbaria.
Old Books, New Knowledge: Three hundred years of the Chelsea Physic Garden Library
library of Chelsea Physic Garden, our Charity Partner for Firsts London 2025. Library Volunteer Rosalind Lintott will give a brief history of the CPG collection, with an overview of some of the more unusual discoveries she has made while cataloguing the Inner Library.
Magna Carta: A legacy
800 years ago, versions of Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest were confirmed by Henry III. Today, we remember and celebrate these iconic documents, but why were they so important? This talk, with Professor Anthony Musson, head of research at Historic Royal Palaces, will examine what they meant for people in the medieval period and explore their legacy in the twenty-first century.
SUPPORTERS
Firsts London is presented by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association under the auspices of ILAB. Our booksellers are committed to dealing at the very highest levels, with expertise second to none
Firsts London 2025's Charity Partner is Chelsea Physic Garden, London's oldest botanic garden.
We are delighted to be working again with the FT Weekend as our media partner for Firsts London 2025.
Firsts London is kindly supported by the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the Antiques Trade Gazette, Biblio, Partners&, and Abe Books.