All books in this list are second-hand, unless otherwise stated.
The books are described as fully and as accurately as possible using the following grading terms.
The book is described first, followed by the dustwrapper where applicable. (Eg. F/VG)
M: Mint: As new. In the condition you would expect in a shop selling new books.
F: Fine: Almost as new, no major blemishes but showing signs of being previously owned. No major faults.
VG: Very Good: A book showing signs of previous ownership. Expected blemishes to include:- lightly bumped corners or spine; pages dusty or lightly browned. The dustwrapper may have some closed tears, chipping or shelf wear but nonetheless will be complete.
G: Good: A sound book but well used, showing various signs of wear such as bumped corners and scuffed edges. There may be a lean to the spine, whilst the text block may show increased signs of use and may be grubby or slightly loose. The dustwrapper may be more heavily worn, faded and chipped and may have small portions missing.
Books in a condition less than Good are unlikely to be listed unless they are of particular rarity in which case their condition will be fully described.
An Explanation of Signed Book Terms
Signed: Means that the author, subject of the book or other relevant person/s has signed their name directly onto one of the pages of the book.
Inscribed or Inscription: Means that the author has dedicated the book to a specific person as well as signing it. An author’s inscription can greatly increase the book’s value if the inscription includes something relevant about the book or the author or if it is inscribed to a well-known person. (Also see Presentation and Association copy). Although some collectors do not like ordinary inscriptions to unknown persons in their books, many other collectors believe that an inscription makes it far easier to authenticate the handwriting of the author, and ipso facto, the signature. Thus, the dictum applies, “the more words from the master’s hand, the better.”
Presentation Copy: A copy of a book that has an inscription written by the author that indicates that the book was a gift to the recipient from the author/subject together with a signature.
Association Copy: A book which belonged to someone close to the author or a famous or noteworthy person, or someone especially associated with the content of the work.
Signed Bookplate: Means that the author or relevant person has signed a bookplate, which is either laid loose into the book or permanently affixed to one of the pages.
Mounted Signature: Means that that the author, subject or relevant person’s signature has been attached to a page of the book or onto a bookplate stuck into the book.
Previous owner’s inscription: Means that a previous owner of the book has written their name or a dedication somewhere in the book.
Autographed Letter, Signed (ALS): A hand-written letter signed by the writer.
Typed Letter Signed (TLS): A typewritten letter signed by hand.
An Explanation of Some Other Commonly Used Book Terms
Binding: The cover of the book.
Chipped: Usually referring to the dustwrapper, where small pieces are missing along the edges.
Closed Tear: A clean tear in which there is no paper loss. This may have been repaired.
Cocked: A condition resulting from storing a book on a shelf so that it leans and rests against its neighbour or the side of a bookcase. Gravity deforms the bookbinding. Cocked also refers to a book in which the spine no longer remains at right angles to the covers.
Dust Jacket or Dust Wrapper: The decorative paper wrapper placed around a book to protect the binding.
End Papers or Free Endpaper: The sheets of paper pasted onto the inner covers, joining the book block to the covers. One side of the sheet is pasted to the inside cover, the other is left free.
Ex-Libris: A bookplate printed with the owner’s name or initials. Latin for “From the library of…”
Ex-Library: A term used to indicate a book was once in a library and usually contains associated marks or stamps.
First Edition: Generally used by book dealers and collectors to mean the first appearance of a work in book form, in its first printing.
Flyleaf: A blank leaf, sometimes more than one, following the front free endpaper, or at the end of a book where there is not sufficient text to fill out the last few pages.
Foxed, Foxing: Brown spotting of the paper caused by ageing when acid in the paper reacts with the atmosphere around the book.
Half-Title: The page carrying nothing but the title of the book, usually preceding the title page.
Laid In: Means a bookplate, photo, letter or other item is placed within the pages of a book but is not glued to the book.
Limited Edition: Any book whose publication is deliberately restricted to a comparatively small number of copies, usually numbered and often signed by the author and/or illustrator.
Loose: The binding of a new book is very tight; that is, the book will not open easily and generally does not want to remain open to any given page. As the book is used, the binding becomes looser until a well-used book may lay flat and remain open to any page in the book.
Price Clipped: The price has been clipped from the corner of the dust jacket.
Repaired: Repairs to damage, usually tears, in the book or to the dustjacket.
Shelf Wear: The wear that occurs as a book is placed onto and removed from a shelf. It may be to the bottom edge of the covers as they rub against the shelf, to the dust jacket or exterior of the covers (when no dust jacket is present) as the book rubs against its neighbours.
Sunned: Faded or darkened from exposure to light or direct sunlight.
Tight: The binding of a new book is very tight; that is, the book will not open easily and generally does not want to remain open to any given page. As the book is used, the binding becomes looser until a well-used book may lay flat and remain open to any page in the book.
Tipped-in: Means the bookplate, autograph, letter, photo, etc., is actually attached to the book.
Title Page: The title page lists the title and subtitle of the book, the authors, editors, and/or contributors, the publisher or printer, and sometimes the place and date of publication.