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 and only edition, 8vo, 47, (1) pp., text browned, very short, closed tear to edge of half title, publisher's printed wrappers, advert on rear panel for the author's 'Soviet Russia, As I Saw It', light browning to spine, closed split to base of spine otherwise very good.
£3,750 -
Limited edition of 585 numbered copies, 8vo., [6], 2976, [5 pp., ten hand-coloured engravings by Pierre Brissaud, captioned tissue-guards, a few spots to endpapers, otherwise fine, near contemporary full navy blue morocco by Hubel and Denick, Leipzig, gilt panelled with stylised floral onlay to upper cover, silk linings, top edge gilt, others untrimmed, a few unopened, linings starting to perish, else an excellent copy.
£250 -
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 edition, 8vo, publisher's black cloth, spine and upper side stamped in silver and metallic red, dust-jacket designed by Richard Chopping, unclipped, rear panel a little dust soiled, slight rubbing at extremities, otherwise a bright and very good-plus copy.
£4,750 -
First edition, first issue, number 508 of 750 copies, signed by Maugham on the limitation page, publishers salmon cloth, gilt and black lettering piece to spine, top edge gilt, others untrimmed, as issued, minor rubbing to extremities and slight fading to spine, otherwise a near-fine copy.
£3,500 -
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 UK edition. 8vo, 361pp., usual age-toning to paper, otherwise fine, modern full red morocco with navy blue lettering pieces gilt, navy blue endpapers and all edges gilt, fine.
£1,200 -
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 -
First edition, 8vo, darkened strip to gutter of half-title from earlier bookmark, otherwise fine, modern navy blue morocco with maroon lettering pieces and endpapers, all edges gilt, a lovely copy.
£475 -
First edition, one of the limited issue, number 183 of 250 large paper copies signed by the author, large 8vo., plates and illustrations by the Author not included in the trade edition, original mauve cloth, fading to spine and margins of boards, printed dust-jacket, spine slightly darkened, some very minor fraying to head and tail of spine, but a near-fine example overall, top edge gilt, others untrimmed, preserved in custom-made slip-case.
£3,200
