Chris Fessler, Bookseller
2960 Byron Rd.
Howell, MI, U.S.A.
48855
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Joined March 17, 1998
About this seller
....It can be very difficult to tell if a book is a BOOK CLUB EDITION (BCE). It often does not say at all on the book that it is. Nowadays book club editions are often of the same quality in regards to paper, binding, covers, ink, illustrations and plates etc...as standard trade editions. Sometimes there is a little indentation on the rear cover at the bottom near the spine but not always. Sometimes there is no price on the dustjacket but then many publishers issue trade editions with no price on the jacket, being kind enough to let the bookdealer decide what to charge for a book....so how can you tell? It's hard sometimes...When you acquire the book second hand, how are you supposed to know ? If I think a book might be a book club edition I mention it just to be safe.... These are some of the ABBREVIATIONS you may find in my book descriptions : sd=same date=same date is on the title page and the copyright page, used to identify first printings of first editions. nap=no additional printings =no additional printings indicated, used to identify first printings of first editions. I check the books out using McBride's Guide To First Editions and Zempel & Verkers First Editions, A Guide...that is where the terminology comes from. dw=dust wrapper. (dust jacket). 12mo= small book (approx. 4" 8vo= average book size(6x lO" approx.) 4to=larger size book (12xlO"approx.). folio = giant size (over 12" ta11) book. t.e.g.= top edge gilt. a.e.g= all edges gilt. dec.= decorative. illus.=illustrated. cl.=clothbound.wraps= paperback.(a trade paperback is a large expensive paperback, also known as a Quality paperback; a massmarket paperback is the smaller variety) drknd=darkened.t.pg.=title page. flyl.=flyleaf (blank pages at front and back of book) glt.gilt (gold ink used in printing) cov.=cover. frontis.=frontispiece(plate or illus. facing t.pg.) ex lib.= ex-library (book has library markings stamps,numbers, etc.... sl.=slight (ly) sp.=spine. n.d.= no date. repr.= reprint .chron.=chronology. append.=appendix. tr.=translated. 1st ed.=first edition. pr.=printing. e.p.=endpapers(the paper on the inside of the cover ).emb.=embossed. biblio.= bibliography. b&w.=black &white.BCE= book club edition.obl.=oblong (book is wider than it is tall) These are the guidelines I use to describe the CONDITION of a book. VF= Very Fine= mint condition. clean, bright, as new.like new. /Fine=Ex.=Excellent;clean but not quite new. almost new. /VG+=near fine= almost perfect but may have bookplate, previous owner's signature, etc... may have minor smudges, soiling, spots. VG=Very Good, book may be soiled , marked. edges may be rubbed.still sound. may have underlining or highlighting but it will be noted in the description. /Good=hinge trouble,shabbiness,tears.'reading copy'./Fair= book isn't completely falling apart but you'd better be careful reading it./Poor=book is a complete wreck (looks like it was shot out of a cannon )and may be missing pages or illustrations or have other major defects which will be noted. Books are generally priced for domestic USA standard SHIPPING. International and priority shipping can often cost extra if the item is very large, or heavy or is a set of more than one book. Shipping costs are impossible to predict for every order and destination.
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Terms of Sale
ABEBOOKS processes ALL my credit card orders. I can also take Paypal. Pay direct
by check or money order.
Always, books are returnable with no questions asked, for any reason.
Shipping Terms
All books with dustwrappers are shipped with a Brodart protective book jacket cover unless otherwise noted.
Oversize (quarto, folio or really heavy) books, and sets often require a request for additional shipping if the order is a priority or international order.
address all inquiries to clfessler@sbcglobal.net