Birkin & Books

Birkin & Books Bygone and Bespoke books, ranging from antiquities, to decorative, to classics.

Apologies for the lapse in posts; I’ve been busy with some of my other commitments, as well as trying to do some more of...
15/06/2024

Apologies for the lapse in posts; I’ve been busy with some of my other commitments, as well as trying to do some more of my hobbies like music, writing, and gaming.

Still got plenty of volumes to post; and will be getting back into getting them regularly, at least one a week, with some other bits as I feel.

Going to get back into it with some of the books I’ve been distracted by reading, some might be familiar going forward.

Happy browsing!

Readers Digest Condensed Books, British Condensed Version, Volume: Unknown. Collectors Library Edition.Various AuthorsPu...
13/05/2024

Readers Digest Condensed Books, British Condensed Version, Volume: Unknown. Collectors Library Edition.
Various Authors
Published by Readers Digest Association Ltd
1979
AN.

Hardback. First Edition. Cover design by Jeffery Matthews M.S.I.A. Noticeable foxing on the top of the pages, no other damage.

As with the volume posted previously, this too proved somewhat of an enigma, so I've not much to say about it other than stating the obvious in its lovely design. One of the few I'd pick out for display from my collection. Four stories in one wrapped in a beautiful book, what's not to like!

Price: £25

Readers Digest Condensed Books, British Condensed Version, Volume: UnknownVarious AuthorsPublished by Readers Digest Ass...
13/05/2024

Readers Digest Condensed Books, British Condensed Version, Volume: Unknown
Various Authors
Published by Readers Digest Association Ltd
1996
AN.

Hardback. Slight mark on top of pages but nothing major.

When researching this volume, I struggled to find any information about the British condensed versions. The list of volumes I could see on Wikipedia for example seemed to be the American versions, where some of the authors in this book appeared in others, and not together. Even so the four stories seem interesting, plus its in good nick, an interesting one.

Price: £20

SilverviewJohn leCarrePublished by Penguin Books2022NF.First Edition of the Penguin publishing run. Slight dog-ear on bo...
10/05/2024

Silverview
John leCarre
Published by Penguin Books
2022
NF.

First Edition of the Penguin publishing run. Slight dog-ear on bottom of the cover, as well as minor bit of damage on the cover side of the spine. Presumable bought once as a gift, there's an inscription of "Ted", and a tick mark on the title pages.

The last book from legendary author leCarre was published posthumously by his son Nick Cornwell, who notes it was "more like retouching a painting than finishing a novel" in his afterword. With some familiar themes of espionage, the plot follows a story of an encounter between innocence and experience, and and between public duty and private morals.

Price: £25

This Thing of DarknessHarry ThompsonPublished by Headline Review2006VG.Paper First Edition. Wear on spine from reading a...
09/05/2024

This Thing of Darkness
Harry Thompson
Published by Headline Review
2006
VG.

Paper First Edition. Wear on spine from reading and a slight dog-earing of the cover.

The plot tells the fictionalised biography of Robert Fitzroy, who became captain of the HMS Beagle halfway through her first voyage, and its second voyage, in which they had an interesting passenger; one Mr Charles Darwin.

Price: £20

The Wheel of FortuneSusan HowatchPublished by Pan Books1985VG.Well read paperback novel. Some minor damage on cover high...
08/05/2024

The Wheel of Fortune
Susan Howatch
Published by Pan Books
1985
VG.

Well read paperback novel. Some minor damage on cover highlighted by my camera flash, with some decent wear on spine. No other damages to note.

Set in the Georgian era in Wales, the book follows the hardships of the owners of Oxmoon house. Split into six parts, the book follows the point of view of different protagonists.

Price: £10

High AdventureEdmund HillaryPublished by Hodder & Stoughton1955G.Hardback, First Edition. Missing Dust Jacket, and disco...
07/05/2024

High Adventure
Edmund Hillary
Published by Hodder & Stoughton
1955
G.

Hardback, First Edition. Missing Dust Jacket, and discolouration on spine. Ex-Library copy from Terra Nova Library, with inscriptions/stamps inside cover. Dog-earing of the covers as well as some foxing of the pages. Title page slightly loose, but still attached.

A memoir of the first ascent up mount Everest conducted by Hillary himself and Tenzig Norgay. An amazing piece of human history.

Price: £20

Our Man in HavanaGraham GreenePublished by Heron (with William Heinemann Ltd).1981VF.Hardback. Minor damage to inside f...
06/05/2024

Our Man in Havana
Graham Greene
Published by Heron (with William Heinemann Ltd).
1981
VF.

Hardback. Minor damage to inside front cover, akin to a burn mark. Uninscribed ownership sticker on title page, possibly removable with the correct knowledge, which I don't posess.

Set in 1950's Cuba, the story follows a vacuum salesman turned Intelligence Serviceman. With Soviet attention drawn to them by his untruths, he concocts a convoluted plan to save himself and his daughter.

Price: £30

Hello, welcome to the shop!Nice little haul of some recent books over the weekend. While they’ll all get a spotlight eve...
06/05/2024

Hello, welcome to the shop!

Nice little haul of some recent books over the weekend.

While they’ll all get a spotlight eventually, there’s a couple of my favourites in there. Eoin Colfer’s Airman was a big one, I love that book. And the Mister Monday and How to Train your Dragon series were great, so I’m going to enjoy reading these I’m sure.

Small disclaimer post!I run this in my spare time by myself, and though I strive to reply to inquiries as soon as possib...
04/05/2024

Small disclaimer post!

I run this in my spare time by myself, and though I strive to reply to inquiries as soon as possible, I obviously have other commitments such as my “real” job which may hinder the response time.

I am also by no means a professional book historian, or anything of that ilk. Due to this, I would encourage taking my gradings with a pinch of salt, as they may not be as accurate as a professional’s. However, with the addition of pictures of any and all damages, along with relatively in depth descriptions I don’t think what I say the state is matters all that much, as you’ll be able to see the state for yourself.

Happy browsing!

Far From the Madding CrowdThomas HardyPublished by Tiger (with HarperCollins)1991As New.Not much to say about this one, ...
04/05/2024

Far From the Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardy
Published by Tiger (with HarperCollins)
1991
As New.

Not much to say about this one, as stated, its in pristine condition. Some lovely design on the cover and spine. Only thing I would note is the stock of paper it has been printed with is very thin, which makes it more impressive that there has been no damage to it.

The plot follows a protagonist managing her late uncle's farm in the Victorian era, with her romantic antics with a shepherd, a farmer, and a soldier forming the crux of the narrative.

Price: £7.50

03/05/2024

Over the coming weeks I’ll be posting listings of the books in my collection. They’ll include pictures of the state, and any damages to the books, as well as have a description with all relevant information.

They will also include a price. The price is based off my research into the books value elsewhere, plus an estimation of delivery cost within the UK via Royal Mail, with the cost I paid factored in.
(Royal Mail tracked delivery was around £6-£8 for medium and large parcels in April 2024. They do also list the prices for every zone in the same pdf I just can’t remember them off the top of my head).

Prices can be adjusted on inquiry depending upon location.

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