The 1996 Napoleonic Fair took place on 4 February at The Royal National Hotel in central London. This was the third such annual event presented by Lionel Leventhal of Greenhill Books, the publisher of the Napoleonic Library series. Several personalities were in attendance, including Richard Moore, the technical advisor on the popular Sharpe's BBC television series, as well as the series producer.

Historian Christopher Duffy, whose revised edition of The Army of Frederick the Great was recently released by the Emperor's Press, attended as he took a break from his upcoming book on the Russian General Suvarov. Many were happy to see David Chandler, winner of the 1995 Literary Award of the International Napoleonic apparently making a steady recovery from his stroke.

More than 60 companies exhibited books, prints, figures, etc., covering a wide mix of interests. Examples of period clothing were available from several traders, and there were some interesting re-enactment units and supporting stands. A number of re-enactors attended the Fair, including members of the 42nd Highland Regiment. Their recently added Pipes and Drums were in fine tune.

Also providing music on period instruments was the Royal Artillery Band Re-Enactment Group. Other re-enactment units represented included the Foot Guards, Hussars, 95th Riflemen, and a few French regiments. These participants added color to the event, and the great deal of care and effort they take with their uniforms seemed to be genuinely appreciated by the crowd.

Fifteen book dealers provided both in new and used volumes for the Napoleonic bibliophile, including Anchor Books, Michael Bartlett, Buttercross Books, Caliver Books, R. M. England, Greenhill, W. E. Hersant, Steven Hopkins, Paul Meekins, Spellmount, Victor Sutcliffe, Ken Trotman, Robin Turner, Turner Donovan, and Worley Publications.

Pictorial reference material was available from such traders as Alix Baker, Battle Scene i Pictures, Classic Images, Military Fine Arts, J. C. Mummery, and The Pompadour Gallery. Military miniatires were sold in the large collector scales by Bonaparte's, C.K. Supplies, G. N. M. Miniatures, Hussars Military Miniatures, Kitney & Company, Sarum Soldiers, and Tradition of London. The smaller wargame figure suppliers included AB Figures/ Wargames South, Bicorne Miniatures, Connoisseur Figures, Ellerburn Armies, Front Rank Figurines, Old Glory, SHQ Miniatures, and Wargames Foundry. Other traders at the Fair included re-enactment groups and their suppliers, medal and collectibles dealers, painting services, battlefield tours, magazine publishers, wargame clubs, and historical research societies.

Among the three wargames on display was a 25mm game organized by Charles Grant and The Rayners Lane Group (one of the UK's best known outfits) featuring Bonaparte in Egypt, 1799. The game portrayed a fictional but typical desert encounter between the French and the Mamelukes.

The League of Gentlemen, with Peter Heath and Stephen Ede-Borrett, staged a vast rendering of the battle of Austerlitz, 1805. Using thousands of 15mm figures on a hand-made, accurate terrain board, the group refought this famous battle step by step. Much attention was paid to detail, including masses of cotton balls laid out at the start of the game to portray the fog which initially concealed the French deployment from the Austrians and Russians.

Military miniatures of various scales were entered in a painting competition judged by Ken Jones, the editor of Military Modeling magazine. In addition to the prizes earned by these artists, there were five drawings throughout the day based on the numbers on each visitor's catalog or program book.

The atmosphere was very convivial, the hotel's catering facilities stood up well to the needs of the crowd, and the bar seemed to do a roaring trade all day. If you are interested in attending next year's Napoleonic Fair, contact Greenhill Books, Park House, 1 Russell Gardens, London NW11 9NN, England. Telephone 0181-458-6314, fax 0181-905-5245.

About the author:

Stuart Asquith is an honorary member of many British historical societies, as well as an editor or contributing editor to Regiment, Practical Wargamer, and Military Modeling magazines. He has authored more than a dozen historical books or wargaming rules.

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