Ephemera Events, News & Exhibitions

The Ephemera Society Summer & Winter Fairs 2024

A window into the past for both the curious and the collector find rare, unusual and historic paper items, priced from 2 to over 2000. A huge range of ephemera will be on display. The fair will be on for one day only so make a note in your diary now.

• Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury
• Coram Street
• London WC1N 1HT
• United Kingdom
• Entry 3 11am - 4pm All welcome
• Members from 10am

London Map Fair

The 2024 London Map Fair will be the fifteenth to be held in the historic surroundings of the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington Gore. Established in 1980, it is the world’s oldest and largest specialist antique fair and attracts visitors and exhibitors from across the globe

This year leading international dealers from as far as the United States and Australia, as well as the EU and, of course, here in the UK. Every year the fair offers an unparalleled opportunity to see, handle and discuss a vast array of original cartographic material. It is the ideal place for beginners as well as curators and collectors, and as always admission is Free.

This year's London Map Fair lecture will be given by the Royal Geographical Society's own Cartographic Collections Manager, Dr Katherine Parker: ‘Blaeu Hondius and Ricci: the wall maps of the Royal Geographical Society’.

In addition, throughout the weekend author and map expert Ashley Baynton-Williams will be giving talks on map collecting for beginners.

• Royal Geographical Society
• 1 Kensington Gore
• London SW7 (Entrance Exhibition Road)
• UK

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Dressed to Deliver

You can spot your postie by their brightly coloured get-up, but what is the history of their uniform and how has it changed?

This exhibition at The Postal Museum explores Britain's famous postal uniform and how it has evolved throughout history.

From smartly dressed Victorians to modern posties and their activewear uniforms have helped make postal workers an iconic feature of life in the UK.

• The Postal Museum
• 15-20 Phoenix Place
• London
• WC1X 0DA
• UK

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Toulouse-Lautrec & the Masters of Montmartre

From troupes of cancan dancers to the legendary 'Chat Noir,' and the unforgettable characters of the Moulin Rouge, Toulouse-Lautrec & the Masters of Montmartre will feature 100 original posters from 1890s bohemian Paris in a fresh look at this era of artistic fervour and social revolution.

This is the only chance to see Lautrec’s complete collection of posters exhibited together in the UK before it moves to its permanent home at the Musée d’Ixelles in Belgium, following a five-year international tour.

With bright colours and bold lines, Lautrec's striking artwork captured the essence of turn-of-the-century Parisian nightlife. More than 30 pieces from his esteemed career, including his first poster of the Moulin Rouge, and the cancan dancers of La Troupe de Mademoiselle Eglantine will be shown alongside works by other celebrated artists of the day. Steinlen’s iconic Tournée du Chat Noir, an advert for Ruinart champagne by Alphonse Mucha, and theatre posters by Jules Cheret will feature eye-catching work by other masters of Belle Époque Paris.

• Victoria Art Gallery
• Bridge Street
• Bath
• BA2 4AT
• UK

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Great Escapes: Remarkable Second World War Captives

A major new exhibition from The National Archives exploring the human spirit in times of captivity during the Second World War.

The exhibition reveals iconic and under-told stories of prisoners of war and civilian internees.

From famous escape attempts such as the escape from Stalag Luft III that we know as the Great Escape and British officer Airey Neave s escape from Colditz Castle dressed as a German soldier, to remarkable stories of individuals seeking escape through art, music and finding love, the exhibition offers glimpses of the courage and ingenuity that is possible in desperately hard times.

The exhibition is free to visit and you do not need to book a ticket.

• The National Archives
• Kew, Richmond
• TW9 4DU
• UK

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