The Collector's Book of Books

Studio Vista, London, first edition, 1971. Cloth, large 8vo,. 144 pp, colour plates, ills. From the blurb: "This is the first general work to be published which considers the entire history of English literature from the viewpoint of the book-collector.. The major auction houses regularly present book sales, and prices have risen dramatically; yet it is still possible for the poorest amateur to build a satisfying library at a modest cost. For the benefit of collectors and would-be collectors, Eric Quayle describes the points to look for and the pitfalls to beware, covering every area of this absorbing pursuit. Beginning with the earliest printed books, he discusses novels and romances, poetry, drama, science and medicine, travel, natural history, early children's books, detective fiction and a miscellany of specialised fields - old bibles, books on sport and cookery, and erotica. There is a chapter on binding, and a comprehensive glossary of technical terms. In some 20 years, the author has assembled a library of first editions of English literature which is well known to collectors and literary historians on both sides of the Atlantic. All the colour plates and the many black and white photographs were specially taken of items in his collection. Eric Quayle is singularly well equipped for discussing questions both of rarity and of literary merit, and The Collector's Book of Books will undoubtedly be an invaluable guide to the expert and the novice alike - indeed to everyone with an interest in books." Contents: Introduction; Points and Pitfalls; Earliest Printed Books; Novels and Romances; Poetry; Drama; Science and Medicine; Travel and Topography; Natural History; Early Children's Books; Detective Fiction; Bindings and Binding Styles; Miscellanea; Glossary of Terms; Abbreviations; Selective Bibliography; Index. Slightly rubbed at spine-ends, otherwise Very Good in a Good dustwrapper, the inside flaps of which are yellowed.