The books that I currently own are shown below.
It is only a small collection at present, but one I hope to build on in the future.
For details of how I started collecting books and what I’ve learned please click on the link here….
Otherwise, please browse the books below and add any comments or suggestions.
Nutshell, Ian McEwan. Signed. First Edition (2006).
This book was bought from Henry Pordes Books, Charing Cross Road, London.
Signatures are checked by the owner Rita to give some credibility and provenance to the books sold there.
I also obtained a typed receipt. This includes the price paid.
I am not sure if this is best practice when it comes to resale but thought I’d keep it as a souvenir regardless.
Amsterdam. Ian McEwan. First edition (1998).
Ian McEwan won The Man Booker Prize with this book in 1998.
As such it met both of my book collecting criteria; favourite authors, and Man Booker Prize winning books.
This copy was bought online and arrived in fine/near fine condition.
I am very pleased with the quality of this book and feel it was well worth the price paid.
The Pregnant Widow. Martin Amis. First edition (2010).
I made a mistake by buying an ex library copy of this first edition of this book initially.
That copy had library markings and stamps on the inside cover, spine, and across the top of the book.
This, my second purchase of the book, is a better copy.
The dust wrapper has a slight crease/bulge in the middle at the bottom.
Otherwise it is in very good condition.
I’ll use the spare ex library copy as a reading copy.
Inside Story, Martin Amis. Signed, First edition (2020).
This book was purchased from Hatchard’s, Piccadilly, London in 2020 prior to the author’s death.
It was given to me by my wife as a birthday present.
No doubt she is now regretting sowing the seeds of my book collecting habit.
It is in near fine condition (as is the wife).
The Only Story, Julian Barnes. Signed First edition (2018).
A signed first edition copy of The Only Story, Julian Barnes.
This was also given to me as a birthday gift.
As you can see from the price tag on the rear it was bought from Hatchard’s.
This is a fine copy.
This is an unusual buy for me.
I saw it advertised as a proof copy and did not know what they are.
I need to do some more research to see what proof copies are, and how many are typically produced.
According to ChatGTP proof copies are also known as an advance reader copy or galley proof.
They are early versions of a book that are printed before the final edition.
They are used for review, promotion, and feedback purposes, allowing publishers to make any necessary corrections or changes before the book goes into mass production.
These copies are often distributed to reviewers, booksellers, and sometimes even to select readers for promotional purposes.
The book I bought is a paperback (which is an exception in my collection).
It is in fine condition and was of minimal cost.
I bought this more out of curiosity and consider it more of a conversation piece than an investment.
England, England. Julian Barnes (1998).
This is a signed, first edition copy. I found it on ebay.
Having initially been reluctant to buy on ebay, it’s now one of my favourite places to go in search of new books.
When I find a book I like I then look at the other items that particular seller is selling.
Often you find collectors with a range of first edition books for sale and their collections, listings, and reviews indicate there are trustworthy sellers.
The Sense of an Ending. Julian Barnes (2011).
A gift from my wife, this book is a signed and dated, first edition copy of the Man Booker Prize winning novel.
It is a fine copy bought from Hatchard’s, Piccadily, London.
It has a Hatchard’s prize label on the outer protective cover.
This does not affect the dust jacket itself.
Similar signed copies on the internet sell for less than the price paid although they do not include the dated signature.
I’m hoping that signed and dated copies are rare and more collectable.
Either way this is a prized book in my collection and a beautiful gift.
The Da Vince Code, Dan Brown. First edition (2003).
I’ve started looking in charity shops and other second-hand stores for any first edition hardback books hiding in amongst the usual paperbacks.
In one store nearby I found this first edition hardback copy of The Da Vinci Code on sale for £2.50.
The title page suggested that it was a first edition.
A little research showed that there was an initial spelling mistakes made on first editions.
Namely that on page 245, line 25 the word ‘skitoma’ is printed instead of ‘scotoma’.
This copy of the book has that mistake present so, together with the number line I believe this to be a first edition.
It is somewhat yellowed but otherwise in tact.
It’s not the best preserved book in my collection and a bit of an anomaly.
It may not be of any value or interest to others.
Neither does it fit in to my usual collection criteria.
Despite this, I enjoyed finding the book, researching it, and at worst have only lost £2.50.
Atonement, Ian McEwan, First edition 2001.
This was the first book that I bought as a collector’s item rather than just as a novel to read.
It was bought from Hatchard’s, Piccadilly, London.
A quick check of Abebooks suggests that first editions are holding their value, whereas signed first editions have increased in value significantly.
Other signed Ian McEwan books do not seem to have increased in value as much as this novel.
I’m not sure how much this is due to the publicity from the film made from the book, and how much from the quality of the novel itself.
Possibly a combination of both.
As in my case, perhaps people admire the novel and the film.
(I noticed The Zone of Interest, Martin Amis is also becoming collectable. This may also be due to the release of a film based on the book).
Talking it Over, Julian Barnes, First (Canadian) edition (1991).
I came across this in Henry Pordes Books whilst visiting book shops in the Charing Cross Road, London area.
Staff there were very helpful in answering a few questions I had about my ongoing book collection.
This is a Canadian first edition which adds an international aspect to my Julian Barnes.
Again this is probably more of a curiosity piece and adds to my understanding of the different title pages to look out for.
I was however pleased to buy from Henry Pordes Books again due to the understanding and patient nature of the staff there.
Night Train, Martin Amis, First edition (1997).
I made a mistake in purchasing an ex library copy of this book initially.
I was unable to remove the library stamp across the top of that book.
I will keep that as a reading copy only.
The book photographed above copy is in much better condition and was bought from abebooks.
The Moor’s Last Sigh, Salman Rushdie, First edition (1995).
This was an impulse purchase.
I bought it whilst browsing at Any Amount of Books, Charing Cross Road, London.
It is in very good condition.
Success, Martin Amis, First edition (1978).
Another find on Abebooks.
This is the oldest book in my collection to date.
The spine is slightly faded but overall the book is in very good condition for its age.
I particularly like the photograph of Amis on the rear cover.
I have also added a celebrity section to my collection.
This contains signed books by former British Prime Minister, Theresa May; film star Michael Caine; and 1980’s pop icon Boy George.
The Innocent, Ian McEwan, Signed, First edition (1990).
I was pleased to find this signed first edition copy of The Innocent by Ian McEwan.
I remember reading this book when it was first published.
It, more than any other book, is the reason that I got back into reading after a number of years.
The novel inspired me to visit Berlin some years later.
This is still my favourite Ian McEwan novel, and one of my favourite books overall.
This copy was picked up at a reasonable cost on Abebooks.
It does have some signs of foxing and a very slight tear in the dustjacket but otherwise is in good condition.
The Ground Beneath Her Feet, Salman Rushdie, Signed, First Edition (1999).
I bought this copy on ebay.
I now have at least one signed book from each of the authors in my collection.