We received the following press release--RL

'Better and better'; each year the event is reported as 'the best yet', and this is the message from this year's Napoleonic Fair which was held last Sunday (see attached photo).

The number of visitors was excellent, with there being a line at the door for the 9.30am Sunday morning opening time. Visitors came for the event from the United States, France, Belgium, Germany, and for the first time from Spain and Italy. To recognise this the event will in future be called 'The International Napoleonic Fair'.

Presentations in the lecture theatre each had two hundred or more in the audience. The presentation for THE NAPOLEON OPTIONS had six of the contributors talk about their provocative alternative approach to the Napoleonic Wars, being presented as fact rather than fiction or discussion. There were a number of pointed questions from the floor. Colonel John Elting 'in conversation with' Dr Christopher Duffy was a delightful event, full of knowledge, humour, insight and perspective. Professor John Gallaher presented a masterful lecture on Marshal Davout, chaired by Colonel John Hughes-Wilson.

At this Napoleonic Fair the Napoleonic Association celebrated the start of their 25th anniversary, and presented six Silver Jubilee awards. The key 'Life Time Achievement Award' went to Dr David Chandler. Other Napoleonic Association Jubilee Awards included:

Most significant individual contribution to the study of Napoleonic history :Mr Ian Fletcher

The individual or organisation most responsible for raising the public profile of Napoleonic History within the UK: Mr Bernard Cornwell

The UK commercial organisation doing the most to promote Napoleonic History: Greenhill Books

There was considerable interest in the four war-games, presented under the direction of Stuart Asquith whose views on the Fair were:

The wargames were very well attended and each table had a good crowd throughout the day. The Ellis Room was bustling with an excellent atmosphere. The games ranged from the Naval Wargames Society whose display featured beautifully and painstakingly finished 1/1200 scale Napoleonic warships, the Napoleonic Wargamers presenting 'The British have lost at Vimeiro' using hundreds of 6mm figures on an extensive and eye-catching 12 foot by 6 foot terrain, to the Rayners Lane War Games Group putting on a 'French in Egypt' action, with an outnumbered French force fighting for possession of a vital oasis in the face of native hordes, and the Loughton Strike Force staging 'What if the French had rallied after Waterloo?'.

The exhibitors' stands ranged from booksellers, to model and print dealers, and associations including the Sharpe Appreciation Society. Dealers reported a very busy day.

Photos of the event will be going on to the Greenhill web site (www.greenhillbooks.com) within forty-eight hours.

(The above report is about the Napoleonic Fair 2000, held Sunday 20th February. The date and venue for The International Napoleonic Fair in 2001 will be anounced in due course.)

Other Comments

Yesterday the world's premier Napoleonic Wars annual event was held in London.

'This was the first Napoleonic Fair I have attended, and it was fantastic! Not only was it well organised, it was an interesting mix of vendors and authors and war games and re-enactors. I plan to return again, and again, and will recommend it strongly to my American friends.' - Dana Lombardy, Publisher, NAPOLEON Journal. 'The high spot of the year; a great event!' - Dr. Christopher Duffy.

'There is no other Fair like this, and this has been an excellent day for me. I've had a great experience.' - John G. Gallaher (author of THE IRON MARSHAL).

'The Napoleonic Fair is one date in the diary that I try and never miss.' - Charles S. Grant.

'The Napoleonic Fair is a wonderful 'shop window' - an opportunity to meet with friends old and new and further the period's appeal.' - John S. White, Honorary Secretary, The Association of Friends of the Waterloo Committee.

'The Napoleonic Fair is always a highlight of the year and gets better every year.' - Andrew Uffindell.

'The Napoleonic Fair in London remains the essential event for enthusiasts, scholars and publishers interested in the period. The team at Greenhill are to be congratulated on providing a first rate international forum.' - Colonel John Hughes Wilson, International Napoleonic Society.

A further report will be circulated later this week about this year's very successful Napoleonic Fair.

Greenhill Books,
Park House,
1 Russell Gardens,
London NW11 9NN.
Tel: 0181 458 6314
Fax: 0181 905 5245
E-mail: Greenhill Books

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