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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Comprising; Look Back In Anger, first acting edition, preceding the first edition for public sale published by Faber later the same year, publisher's dated ink, non-resale stamp denoting first issue (March 1957) wrappers toned with light marginal staining, crease to back panel otherwise very good, [together with] The Entertainer, first acting edition, wrappers age-toned with a few minor chips, near fine, [together with] Epitaph For George Dillon, written in partnership with Anthony Creighton, first acting edition, ownership stamp to front cover, otherwise near fine; uniformly slim 8vo., publishers printed wrappers, very good.
£225 -
First Canadian edition inscribed by the Author to Michael Coren, 8vo., publisher's cloth, dust-jacket, near fine.
£140 -
Limited edition number 349 of 376, signed by the Author, 8vo., publisher's cloth, the upper cover embossed with an image of a typewriter, matching slip-case, fine.
£100 -
First edition. 8vo., [x], 181 pp., photographic frontispiece and 6 illustrations, original blue cloth lettered in silver, original brown dust-wrapper, a fine copy.
£180 -
4to., pp. 572. Original pictorial cloth after Hollenstein's design, with mylar and slipcase.
£125 -
First edition. 8vo, (22 x 14 cms), 392 pp, black cloth, spine gilt lettered, pictorial black and white dust-jacket.
£16 -
First edition, first impression; 8vo; unmarked internally; publisher's black cloth, gilt lettering to spine, with the unclipped pictorial dust jacket by Linnet Gotch, very slight toning to jacket, minor shelf-wear to extremities; an excellent copy.
£65 -
First edition, first issue; 8vo; publisher's grey-black cloth with blindstamped skeletal hand on upper cover, spine lettered in gilt; dust-jacket by Richard Chopping, price-clipped, small clear tape marks to verso, a little rubbed at extremities, otherwise very good and internally fine.
£575 -
First edition, first impression, first issue dust-jacket without the Sunday Times review on the upper flap; 8vo. Publisher's black boards, heart device to upper board and titles to spine in red. With the dust jacket. Contemporary gift inscription to front free endpaper, spine just a touch rolled but a particularly bright copy in the internally repaired dust jacket, nicked at the edges and with some minor restoration at the top of the spine panel and a couple of corners.
£22,500 -
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
