Christmas Book Fair December 5, 2009

A rare signed copy of Douglas Adams’ A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is one of the star attractions at a Christmas Book Fair to be held at Chawton House Library on Saturday 5 December. It is just one of hundreds of collectable and contemporary second-hand books being sold to help the library to acquire new items for its unique collection of early women’s writing.

The books on sale range from good quality recent bestsellers of all genres to non-fiction and poetry, the latter including a signed copy of a collection of John Betjemen’s works. Prices range from 50p upwards. Entry is free and tea and cakes will be available to purchase in the Old Kitchen.

Visitors to the Book Fair, which takes place from 10.30am-4pm in the Great Hall, will also be able to view an exhibition about women’s education during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. One of the women featured is Mary Astell , often called the first English feminist, who famously wrote in 1700: ‘If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?’

For more information about the Christmas Book Fair, call 01420 541010 or email: [email protected]