ABA News
Firsts London 2025: Books in Bloom
Firsts London always features an impressively broad selection of books, ephemera, prints, objet on every subject imaginable, but each year we choose a theme to inspire our exhibitors to bring some special items.
Our theme for Firsts 2025 is taking a decidedly floral turn. From the herbalist’s drive to classify plant species, to the binder’s eye for the sinuous vine in a decorative motif, books and botanicals have a long and intertwined history. At Firsts London 2025, we join the celebration of all things horticultural that sweeps along the Kings Road ahead of the iconic Chelsea Flower Show, offering a new bookish angle on this floral festival. Bringing together over a hundred international rare book dealers in the Saatchi Gallery, Firsts London will display a showcase of floral and botanical examples from print history, from early herbals to contemporary art books.
The history of botanical books is as rich and diverse as the flora they depict. Early plant illustrations found in medieval manuscripts were primarily for medicinal purposes but over time, botanical art evolved into a form of scientific documentation and aesthetic expression. From the 15th century onwards, the expansion of global trade and exploration facilitated the exchange of plant and flower specimens across continents, leading to the discovery of countless new species. The Victorian era witnessed a surge in interest in natural history, with collectors and scholars alike eager to classify and catalog the vast array of plant species discovered during the Age of Exploration, resulting in a proliferation of beautifully illustrated botanical books. Literature featuring plants and gardens has also contributed to our cultural understanding of flora. From Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to children's books such as Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, novels, plays, poems, and memoirs have celebrated the beauty and symbolism of plants. More ephemeral curiosities, such as flower sprigs pressed between the pages of beloved books, or home-made seaweed albums showcasing preserved specimens, have the capacity to delight and intrigue. Prints of plants and flowers have long held decorative and scientific appeal, while floral motifs form a staple of fine and decorative bindings, transforming books into collectible and beautiful treasures.
Join us at Firsts London 2025 as we transform the Saatchi Gallery into a hothouse of botanical beauty.