The 2025 ILAB Presidents Meeting in Melbourne – A Celebration of Rare Books Down Under

Image above: The "La Trobe" reading room at the State Library of Victoria

Australia has long held a deep appreciation for the printed word. Records go back to the 17th century with reports from explorers, scientists and settlers, followed by scientific voyages in the 18th century by the French and the English and the later age of the colony in the 19th century. The convict transport ships that set out from England in 1787 to establish the colony brought books of all kind and a printing press, with the first professional printer, George Howe, arriving in 1800.
By the mid-19th century, collectors like Sir Redmond Barry, one of the early trustees of the State Library Victoria, and David Scott Mitchell, whose private holdings formed the heart of the Mitchell Library in Sydney, were building world-class collections of rare books, maps, and manuscripts.

This strong bibliophilic tradition lives on to this day with a thriving book trade, modern and antiquarian.
Some of the key ambassadors of the printed word in Australia are the booksellers of its antiquarian booksellers' association, ANZAAB members, who uphold the highest standards of professional and ethical bookselling. It also shows in the country’s dynamic calendar of book fairs and public festivals, highlight among them, the Melbourne Rare Book Week.

Now in its 13th year, Melbourne Rare Book Week is a unique event: a week-long, city-wide celebration of books, scholarship, and collecting, with all events free and open to the public. It brings together authors, historians, librarians, booksellers, and collectors in an atmosphere of learning and discovery. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of Australia's literary calendar and a powerful reminder of the role that books continue to play in shaping cultural life.

The 2025 programme is filled with engaging talks, exhibitions, and special events. To name a few:
On 26 July, Museums Victoria will host Women in Natural History, a panel featuring a historian, an artist, and a librarian discussing women’s contributions to natural history, followed by a display of rare books featuring scientific illustrations by women.
On 29 July, visitors will be able to explore rare illuminated manuscripts from the medieval and Renaissance periods in a special viewing hosted by State Library Victoria (Illuminated Manuscripts from Around the World).
Another highlight is the acclaimed World of the Book exhibition (open throughout Rare Book Week; runs until 18 May 2026), presented at the State Library Victoria’s magnificent Dome galleries, a visual journey through the history of bookmaking and collecting.

ILAB is proud to participate directly in this year’s Rare Book Week Programme with two dedicated events:

On 30 July, the ILAB Symposium 2025: Old Books, New Perspectives will be held at The Wheeler Centre. This half-day event brings together curators, booksellers, and scholars for a timely exchange of ideas on the evolving rare book trade.
REGISTER NOW: Entry is free of charge but bookings essential, please use >> THIS LINK

On 2 August, ILAB and ANZAAB will co-host a practical workshop, Starting a Career in the Rare Book Trade?, introducing aspiring booksellers to the ILAB International Mentoring Programme and offering insight into entering the antiquarian profession

More information about the full programme can be found at rarebooksmelbourne.com.

ANZAAB – Australia & New Zealand’s Voice in the International Trade

Founded in 1977 and a member association of ILAB since 1978, ANZAAB continues to be a leading voice for the rare book trade in Australia and New Zealand. The association not only organises the Melbourne and Sydney Rare Book Fairs but also fosters high standards of expertise and ethical conduct among its members: anzaab.com.

Over the decades, ANZAAB members have contributed greatly to the international bookselling community.
Kay Craddock (Kay Craddock Antiquarian Booksellers) was the first woman to serve as ILAB President (2000–2002) and was later named President of Honour for her outstanding service. She also served as president of ANZAAB and has left a legacy at both organisations. Besides these commitments, Kay was the founder of Melbourne Rare Book Week and will be in conversation with Melbourne author and Age columnist Jane Sullivan on 28 July at her premises in 188 Collins Street for the talk "Sixty years a bookseller".

Many highlights and anecdotes from her fascinating life as a bookseller are preserved for the public in the 2011 volume Rare: A Life Among Antiquarian Books by Stuart Kells.

Paul Feain (Cornstalk Bookshop) served for many years as ILAB’s General Secretary and Treasurer.

More recently, Sally Burdon (Asia Bookroom) held the ILAB presidency from 2018 to 2022 and continued her service as General Secretary through to 2024. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the ILAB Medal in 2024.
Although Sally Burdon stepped down from the ILAB Committee in October 2024, she has played a key role in co-organising this year’s ILAB Symposium.

Kay Craddock will also contribute to the Presidents’ Meeting, hosting a special event at her historic bookshop and giving a presentation on Melbourne Rare Book Week to the international trade.

We warmly invite colleagues and friends from across the global antiquarian community to join us in Melbourne.
In the coming weeks, we’ll share more about the book events taking place around the ILAB Presidents’ Meeting and highlight further aspects of the Australian book trade.