For those, like Brummell, who enjoy the experience of settling back with a good book in the added knowledge that you are experiencing a slice of history, the London International Antiquarian Book Fair is the event to attend this week.

In its 55th year, the fair takes place for the first time in the National Hall at Olympia, with more than 170 sellers of rare, old and classic books from around the world displaying their wares, making it unlikely that literature fans will fail to find something to take their fancy.