Earth to be unveiled in Abu Dhabi

The participation of the unique 20-kg never-to-be-repeated world atlas at the 5-day Book Fair will mark its final public appearance in the country. The award winning Australian publisher said that increasing global demand will soon take it to the exclusivity of collectors' shelves.

The hand-bound "time capsule" of Planet Earth will be exhibited in Hall 4, Stand B - 18 of the Book Fair along with Earth Concise and some of the other high quality, exclusive reference books that Millennium House publishes.

Gordon Cheers, Managing Director of Millennium House and the brain behind the creation of Earth, will attend the fair and will be at the pavilion to personally sign the copies.

Returning to the UAE for a second time, Earth's participation in the Abu Dhabi Book Fair has evoked great anticipation among book lovers, collectors and leading libraries in the region.

"We are fascinated by the interest Earth has created here. This makes the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair all the more important for us and the ideal platform to introduce
Earth Concise to the region,"

Mr. Cheers commented prior to the opening of the event.

Earth Concise has become very popular as an educational tool, the reason that Millennium House decided to launch it at the 19th Abu Dhabi International Book to enable schools and families own copies of this award winning publication. This move reflects Gordon Cheers' belief that every child should grow up with an atlas at home.

Earth Concise won the International Map Trade Award (IMTA) for Best Book in 2008, while Earth won global acclaim for its excellent designer quality and incomparable content value. Created for a highly exclusive group and priced accordingly, the atlas is a one-stop print destination for almost every possible detail of Planet Earth. The 355 maps in it covering 170 countries are of the highest standard. A team of 100 cartographers have taken the art of cartography to a higher level through the 580-page atlas. The printing and packaging have been designed to take Earth across several generations.

Its return to the country to take part in Abu Dhabi International Book Fair marks a milestone in its journey around the world inspiring book lovers to reach out to Planet Earth even without leaving their reading rooms. The interest with which Earth was received in this region has encouraged the publisher to produce it in Arabic.

"In response to the increasing number of enquiries from the Arab World, Millennium House is considering the possibility of producing an Arabic version of Earth. The Arab people are extremely proud of their history and heritage even while they embrace the future. This strengthens our belief that an Arabic Earth will reach out to the discerning collectors of the region," Mr. Cheers disclosed.

Earth was originally produced in two editions: The Royal Blue and Imperial Gold editions which have been attracting book fans through two stunningly different variations in binding and packaging - both personally certified by Gordon Cheers for authenticity. The Dhs15,000 Royal Blue Earth is hand bound in royal blue leather with silver-gilded cover and pages. Millennium House is printing only 2,000 copies of this edition.

Earth, Imperial Gold collection, an upgraded version of the atlas, is targeting an even more exclusive group of connoisseurs. The 1,000 copies of this gold leather bound edition are not available through book shops and are sponsored by individuals, corporate houses, libraries and organisations. A highly discerning group of people and institutions in the UAE have added Earth, Imperial Gold edition to their collection including Sorouh Real Estate PJSC.

"Earth is an absolutely impressive compilation and a must-have for everyone," commented Mounir D. Haidar, CEO, Sorouh Real Estate PJSC.

Millennium House introduced Earth in the UAE for the first time in 2008 at the Sharjah World Book Fair, while the 19th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will witness this unique publication's final public appearance.