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.
The 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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First edition, first impression. Presentation copy to Edith Sitwell. 8vo. Publisher's burgundy boards, device to upper board in blind, titles to spine in yellow. With the pictorial dust jacket. Some partial browning to the terminal leaves, an excellent copy in the price-clipped dust jacket.
£250 -
First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author; 8vo; publisher's blue-grey boards, titles to spine gilt, with the dust jacket. A very nice copy in the dust jacket with some mild browning to the verso.
£2,250 -
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Second printing, presentation copy inscribed by the artist; 8vo; Publisher's photographic wrappers. With the original unprinted glassine. Very minor blemish ton the upper wrapper, but excellent in the little worn glassine.
£325 -
First combined edition, first printing, SiGNed by the author, 8vo. Publisher's grey cloth, title to spine in black on a brown ground. With the photomontage dust jacket. An excellent copy in the somewhat browned dust jacket with a couple of minor scuffs.
£1,750 -
First edition, first impression, presentation copy inscribed by the author; 8vo; publisher's blue boards, titles to spine in silver, with the dust jacket. An excellent copy in the dust jacket.
£375 -
Limited edition, inscribed by Douglas Cooper to William McCarty, one of 500 copies; oblong 4to, (24.3 x 30.5 cm); inscription in blue ink to front free endpaper, frontispiece, 24 full-page hors-texte illustrations, very light spotting to prelims, some minor marginal toning, otherwise unmarked internally; publisher's grey paper-backed boards, front cover lettered in black, stain to bottom edge of front cover, board edges and spine slightly toned, overall an attractive copy; 21pp text, 24pp descriptive text.
£750 -
First American edition, first printing, author's presentation copy; 8vo; publisher's black cloth, titles to spine gilt, rose device to spine in pink, with the dust jacket. A very nice copy in the dust jacket.
£375 -
First edition, first impression, presentation copy inscribed by the author; 8vo; publisher's orange cloth, titles to spine gilt, spine faded and a little cocked, boards slightly bowed. Overall a very good copy.
£950 -
First edition, third printing; presentation copy inscribed by the author; 8vo; publisher's black cloth, titles to spine gilt, red topstain, with the dust jacket; slightly shaken but an excellent copy in the lightly frayed dust jacket somewhat faded at the spine.
£475 -
First edition, first impression; presentation copy inscribed by the author; 8vo; publisher's orange-red boards, spine gilt and turquoise, with the dust jacket. An excellent copy in the somewhat toned dust jacket.
£475
