About the Associations
The PBFA The Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association was founded in 1974, with just 20 members, in order to provide provincial bookdealers with a shop window in London by holding a regular book fair. A central office was established and staffed in Cambridge during 1986 and five years later the Association purchased its own administrative headquarters in Royston. Fully computerised since 1988, and with a membership established at over 600, those early days over twenty five years ago seem far away; yet the spirit of the enterprise, co-operation and friendship which emerged amongst those few early fellow-travellers continues to identify today's Association, for - computers, staff, headquarters and committees notwithstanding - today's PBFA is still a co-operative organisation, supported and managed voluntarily by its members. The PBFA website provides a full listing of all the upcoming Fairs with details of exhibitors updated regularly. There is also a book-finding/buying service provided by the PBFA. This website is one of several sites commissioned for the PBFA's Premier Book Fairs, designed & maintained by webSEOlive. The ABA The Antiquarian Booksellers Association was founded in 1906, and is the oldest organisation of its kind in the world. Its membership also extends to many of the leading booksellers overseas. Members are elected solely on the basis of proven experience, expertise and integrity. The ABA is governed by an annually elected President, Vice-President and Treasurer (the Officers), together with an elected Council drawn from the membership. Work in specific areas of the ABA's activities is delegated by the Council to various Committees. The Association also maintains a full-time professional secretariat working from its London office. Apart from both representing and monitoring the rare book trade in the United Kingdom, the ABA also stages major annual international book fairs designed to bring the world of rare books to a wider public. The Association also maintain close links with the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), an umbrella organisation of similar national associations, all committed to upholding the same highest standards of expertise, honesty and professionalism.
