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 thus, signed and inscribed by the author with an original doodle; 4to; publisher's cloth, dust-jacket, a very good copy.
£975 -
First edition, this copy unnumbered but stated 'Presentation Copy' on limitation page, with 34 signatures (plus one faded) on front and rear endleaves, 4to. 224pp., photographic reproductions of actors and film posters, publisher's quarter tan leather over grey cloth, mounted with a facsimile of the poster for the film of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', a tad rubbed on outer edge of upper cover, otherwise a fine copy.
£450 -
First edition, 8vo; slight age-toning, bookplate to upper pastedown, else fine; publisher's black cloth gilt, geometric design to upper cover, printed dust-jacket, the upper panel bisected into boxes containing appraisals of the author's literary skills and the rear one with reviews of this title from literary luminaries such as Ford Madox Ford, John Dos Passos and Waldo Frank, some age-darkening, more so to spine, chipped on corners and spine-ends with short split to inner edge of upper panel, otherwise in a remarkably good and original state; [1-15], 16-214, [215, blank] pp.
£15,750 -
First edition, first impression (with Random House's standard number line commencing with '2'), number 17 of 50 special copies for presentation, signed & inscribed by the author, 8vo, original cloth, slightly dulled at spine but otherwise very good, plastic jacket and slip-case.
£950 -
First edition; 8v;, toned, slight residue and offsetting to upper endpapers from excised bookplate (ý), else near-fine; publisher's dark green cloth stamped in red, dust-jacket, professionally restored, damp-stain on rear flap, spine panel darkened, otherwise very good.
£3,250 -
First editions of this publication, 6 volumes, 8vo;, small, contemporary ownership name to each front free endpaper, else fine, publisher's orange cloth, printed dust-jackets, slight age-toning, otherwise a very fine set.
£975 -
First edition; 8vo; publisher's cloth, pictorial dust jacket, slight fading to spine, a hint of rubbing to corners, small blemish to top edge of text block, near-fine otherwise.
£850
