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Modern First Editions

Modern First Edition books represents one of the most exciting and dynamic areas of book collecting at Shapero Rare Books currently, attracting collectors of literature across a range of ages and catering to a very broad church of tastes and enthusiasms.

Modern First Editions at Shapero Rare BooksThe relatively contemporary nature of the authors that tend to be encompassed by the term Modern First Editions (the exact definition of which varies remarkably depending on with whom you speak) means they resonate with many current book collectors. Collecting modern first editions appeals equally to those with established book collections and those just beginning to start building their own collections, and the vast variety of price-points allows for collectors at all levels a point of entry.

Literature, particularly that of the 19th & 20th centuries, has branched out into a wealth of sub-genres, notably, perhaps science fiction, detective fiction, horror & gothic, weird & supernatural literature, and this is mirrored by collecting habits. Collectors of modern first editions can range from those seeking perceived high-spots of 20th & 21st-century fiction to those who are thrilled by dust-jacketed genre titles, runs of prize-winning books (such as the Booker Prize), solely inscribed books and individual author collections.

For similar reasons modern fiction can also make for very good gifts, particularly signed and inscribed books by popular (or even highly specialised) authors.

Modern First Editions to Collect

Collecting first editions can be fun and challenging, but if you would like to find out more please contact our specialists Adam Blakeney and Angus Robb. They will be more than happy to advise you further, and their knowledge of issue points, condition factors and relative scarcity should help those both looking to start collecting or further develop upon existing rare books collections.

If you're in possession of a first edition to sell, please contact us for more information.

See below to buy first edition books, available at Shapero

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  1. First edition, inscribed to the poet's brother and sister-in law on the front free endpaper; 8vo (225 x 145 mm); publisher's blue cloth, illustrated dust-jacket after a painting by Frieda Hughes (the poet's daughter), very mild rubbing to extremities, otherwise near fine.

    £2,500
  2. Fourth edition, second Dolmen Press edition; map frontispiece; publisher's boards, pictorial dust-jacket, a fine copy.

    £110
  3. First edition, first printing; 8vo (20.8 x 15 cm); original pale green cloth, title to spine in black; original dust jacket; a good copy.

    £150
  4. First edition, first printing, signed presentation copy from the author; 8vo; toning to free endpapers; publisher's cloth, slight rolling to spine, otherwise a very good copy, dust-jacket tanned and rubbed lacking very small pieces at the ends of the spine panel and with slight tanning to same, but overall very good.

    £675
  5. First edition, number III of 12 copies reserved for the publisher and author, from an overall edition of 116 numbered & signed copies; 8vo; publisher's morocco-backed marbled boards, t.e.g., in matching marbled slip-case, a fine, sharp copy.

    £375
  6. First edition, first impression; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); signed by the author on title page; original quarter blue cloth with lighter blue boards, titles in gilt to spine, with the dust jacket, a very nice copy.

    £1,250
  7. First edition, first printing; 8vo; 7pp. advertisements; publisher's green cloth with swirling pattern containing a key blocked in black and gilt lettering, minor rubbing and bumping to corners but overall very good.

    £195
  8. First edition, first impression, publisher's advance review copy; 8vo; publisher's presentation stamp to title, with printed slip presenting this book for review loosely inserted, 8pp. advertisements at end, a little minor spotting mostly to extremities of text-block, contemporary ink name to front free endpaper; publisher's green cloth lettered in gilt to spine, a very good copy, dust-jacket with artwork by Frank Wright, chipped at corners and foot of spine with slight loss, some rubbing to edges, but overall very good.

    £9,500
  9. First edition; 8vo; original publishers sage cloth binding, lettering in metallic blue to spine, unclipped dust-jacket, slight rubbing to extremities, a few short closed tears, light stain affecting fore-edge of lower panel.

    £675
  10. First edition thus, signed and inscribed by the author with an original doodle; 4to; publisher's cloth, dust-jacket, a very good copy.

    £975
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