THE CONCLAVE

Each year the Miniature Book Society hosts an annual gathering of its members referred to as a Conclave. The Conclave — typically a three-day event — is held every autumn in a different city and is eagerly anticipated by the members. Conclaves have been held in Princeton (NJ), San Diego (CA), Seattle (WA), New Orleans (LA), Dublin, Ireland, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Most recently, our Conclave was held virtually with a full schedule of events and presentations. Attendees look forward to guest speakers, tours, workshops, book auctions, a book swap and an all-day book fair, but most of all, connecting with fellow miniature book enthusiasts and the camaraderie that miniature book lovers share.

Miniature Book Society Conclave XL

Los Angeles, California
August 22-25

All Miniature Book Society members are hereby invited to attend a major celebration. This year’s annual Grand Conclave will convene in Los Angeles, California for our fortieth gathering, the Big 4-0! Conclaves have been held in California six times before but never in downtown Los Angeles.

California is home to the largest contingent of our membership and has played a major role in the production of miniature books. Many of the most appreciated print houses, binders, authors, collectors and miniature book enthusiasts were and are based here.

Official Conclave activities begin on Friday, August 23 at 2pm with registration and end on Sunday, August 25 with the evening Award Dinner. Consider arriving by Thursday, August 22 so you can enjoy the pre-Conclave dinner at a local restaurant. Some items on the agenda will include a tour of the Los Angeles Central Library and a viewing of some of their miniature books in the rare book room, a tour of Marianna Blau’s workshop, and a post-conclave visit to the Huntington Library. The keynote speaker will be Nina Schneider of the UCLA William Andrews Clark Memorial Library. 

We are planning to stay at the beautiful Omni Los Angeles at the California Plaza. It is perched on a rise above the business district and mere steps from a variety of local landmarks and entertainments. The room block is for August 23-25, with an extended stay availability for three days on either side of the event. A link was sent via email to all MBS members to reserve the special rate room block, but you can also call the hotel at 213-617-3300 and ask for the room block rate as well.

No Conclave is complete without two exciting auction events, and you will have a chance to bid in both, one Silent, one Live. Don’t miss the Conclave Bookfair, with table after table full of miniature books to buy and early access for Conclave attendees.

Our roster of eminent speakers is under development. Included will be our former MBS President and dear friend, Stephen Byrne who brings an unrivaled depth of knowledge on many subjects, including miniature books. The invitation is open to you all to bring your special skills and knowledge to the Conclave.

To download the registration form, click here.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a family or business membership, those family or business members you signed up for membership are considered MBS members. There is no need for MBS members to pay $75 for the banquet. The banquet and all other activities are included in the Conclave fee. If you have an individual membership and bring someone along who is not a member, you can pay $450 for your own Conclave registration but the fee of $75 is for your non-MBS registered guest to attend the banquet if they so wish. They cannot attend any of the other Conclave activities. Please contact Kim Herrick (books@thebooklair.com) if you have any questions about the registration form.

RECENT PAST CONCLAVES

2023 - Conclave XXXIX; Asheville, North Carolina, USA
2021 – Conclave XXXVIII; held online with worldwide participation
2020- Conclave canceled.
2019 - Conclave XXXVII; The Lilly Library, Indiana University Campus, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
2018 - Conclave XXXVI; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
2017 - Conclave XXXV; Oakland, California, USA
2016 - Conclave XXXIV; McKinney, Texas, USA
2015 - Conclave XXXIII; Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2014 - Conclave XXXII; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
2013 - Conclave XXXI; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
2012 - Conclave XXX; Asheville, North Carolina, USA