Friday, December 18, 2009

Top-Notch Comics 8 Key Golden Age Comic Book From 1940

What's it worth? This low grade copy of Top Notch Comics #8 at auction on Ebay for $39.17 in July of 2010.

Now up for sale on Ebay is Top Notch Comics #8. This scarce Golden Age comic book was published in 1939 by MLJ Magazines, which would later go on to become Archie Comics. Features the key first appearances of "The Firefly". Also contains the first appearance of "Roy the Superboy", who played sidekick to "The Wizard". In addition the book contains an early appearance of "The Wizard", who debut in Top-Notch Comics #1 and remained a mainstay of the title through out its run. MLJ's early costumed heroes did not have the kind of superpowers we have grown accustomed to in our super-heroes. Instead, they fought crime using superior mental abilities and physical prowess.

Click here to buy it on Ebay today!

Estimated grade: Definitely low grade, Poor to Fair condition. Complete, with cover and all pages present. However, the cover has become detached from the rest of the book. A number of pages are also detached, having split evenly away from the rest of the book along the spine fold. Also exhibits other issues typical of lower grade books - browning pages, tears, corners of pages missing, etc... These problems do not impact the readability of the story panels though.


Looking to buy or sell comic books online - check out www.mycomicshop.com!


Sunday, December 13, 2009

World War 2 Era Aviation Pulp Magazines

Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore has listed three vintage aviation pulp magazines published during the World War 2 era on Ebay. Aviation was popular a popular topic of pulp magazines during the period between World War 1 and World War 2, when the harsh realities of war were glossed over by tales of wartime heroism.

I have the following up for sale:

The Lone Eagle Fighting Ace, Vol. XVIIII, No. 1 - Published in February 1939 by Better Publications



AIR STORIES: AERIAL ADVENTURE IN FACT AND FICTION, VOL. 8. NO. 6 - Published in JUNE 1939 by George Newnes Ltd.


AIR STORIES AERIAL ADVENTURE IN FACT AND FICTION, VOL. 8. NO. 4 - Published in April 1939 by George Newnes Ltd.


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott - Published by William Milner in 1842, Cheapside Edition

I just listed an interesting and possibly quite rare miniature edition of Sir Walter Scott's classic poem "The Lady of the Lake" on Ebay.


Here is the publishing information listed on the cover page:

The Lady of the Lake

A Poem

By

Sir Walter Scott, Bart.

Carefully Revised And Corrected

With Notes,

And Life of the Author

Halifax

Printed and Published by William Milner,

Cheapside

MDCCCXLII (1842)

I searched on Abebooks and a number of the other websites specializing in antiquarian books, but could not find another one listed anywhere.

This is a quite attractive early edition of the poem, which was first published in 1810. The cover features gilt lettering and design. Gilt edges. Decorative frontispiece.

The book is in solid condition for its age, complete with all pages firmly attached. There is some tearing to the cover cloth along the spine. Blank page at front is signed by a previous owner.

Click here to purchase this book on Ebay today!



Sunday, November 1, 2009

Adventures of Superman by George Lowther 1st Edition 1942 Random House

Now up for auction on Ebay - The Adventures of Superman by George Lowther, published by Random House back in 1942. The book contains a novelization of Superman's early origin story and early adventures, with illustrations by creator Joe Shuster. This is the first edition of the book. A unique Superman collectible published just four years after the Man of Steel's first appearance in 1938's Action Comics #1!




The Adventures of Superman by George Lowther

Illustrations by Joe Shuster

1942

Random House, New York


Featuring gorgeous color plates and black & white illustrations. The illustrations capture the history of era. For example, one illustration depiction shows the Man of Steel catching a red hot shell in his hands as it hurdles towards a life boat full of stranded sailors and another shows a Clark Kent lifting an massive anvil over his head in a Paul Bunyon style pose.



Auction ends Saturday, November 9, 2009.


First publication of On Mr. Fechter's Acting By Charles Dickens 1869 Atlantic Monthly Volume XXIV



Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore is auctioning off the hard to find first publication of Charles Dickens On Mr. Fechter's Acting in the pages of Atlantic Monthly Volume XXIV, published back in 1869.





The Atlantic Monthly, Volume XXIV

1869

Boston: Fields, Osgood, & Co.

Marble and leather boards. Former library book, with book plate and library stamp on interior of front cover. Complete, with all pages present and firmly attached, with exception of title page and the black page proceeding it - which is loose at binding but remains attached. A previous owner used black tape on spine and yellow tape on the interior of the front and back boards along the book's bindings. Despite these amateur restorations, the book has great eye appeal for its age.


This seven day auction ends of Saturday, November 7.

Bid now on Ebay!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Memoirs of Maximillion de Bethune, Duke of Sully, Prime Minister to Henry the Great, 1763



Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore has just listed a wonderful set of antiquarian books containing the memoirs of the prime minister to Henry the Great on Ebay!

Memoirs of Maximillion de Bethune, Duke of Sully, Prime Minister to Henry the Great

Volumes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 (5 of 6 original volumes)

The Fourth Edition

London

Printed for A. Milar, in the Strand; R. and J. Dobsley in Pall-Mall; and W. Shropshire, in New-Bond-Street

1763 (MDCCLXIII)

Leather bindings

Condition: All five volumes are complete, nice tight bindings with boards and covers firmly attached. Leather boards shows scuff marks and stress lines along spine, but all in all has held up quite well over the years . Labels missing from spine on Volumes 1, 4, 5, 6.

Complete sets of this edition list for $350-$1000 online.

This is a three day auction ending on Tuesday, October 13. Bid now on by visiting our online store on Ebay:

http://myworld.ebay.com/portsmouthvintagebooks/

Friday, May 15, 2009

The Works of Charles Dickens Illustrated

Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore is auctioning off a number of finely illustrated antiquarian editions of the works of Charles Dickens on Ebay this weekend. All auctions end on Sunday May 17, 2009. 


Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Plays and Poems of Shakespeare Antiquarian Book Set Edited by A.J. Valpy 1844




Just arrived at the Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore: A unique antiquarian set of the works of William Shakespeare. This set contains 11 of 15 volumes from the The Plays and Poems of Shakespeare, published in 1844 by Henry G. Bohn, London. A coveted edition of Shakespeare's works edited by A.J. Valpy. Beautifully bound by 
Zaehnsdorf.




Description:

Tan/brown boards, which I believe to be morocco. Tooled leather spines featuring gilt lettering and design. Front and back boards feature a gilt emblem featuring the initials "WS". Marbled end papers bordered by gilt dentelles. Each volume is illustrated and features a decorative frontispiece.  



The set features many of Shakespeare classics and includes:

Volume I: Life of Shakespeare, Dr. Johnson’s Preface, The Tempest, The Gentlemen of Verona

Volume II: Merry Wives of Windsor, Measure for Measure, Comedy of Errors

Volume IV: Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It

Volume VI: Macbeth, King John, King Richard the Second

Volume VII: King Henry IV – Part I & Part II, King Henry V

Volume VI: King Henry VI Part I, II, III

Volume IX: King Richard III, King Richard VIII

Volume X: Troilus and Cassida, Timon of Athens, Titus Andronicus

Volume XII: Antony and Cleopatra, CymbelineFive of the eleven volumes are in Good condition, with nice tight spines and covers and all pages attached. A blank page at the front of Volume VII is detached at spine and still present. Front boards/end papers of Volumes I, VIII, IX, XIII are cleanly detached at spine and still present. Front board of Volume X appears to be glued along spine.

Decorative leather bands along the spines are brittle with age, with some pieces missing. Some bumping to corners, edges and scuff marks/scratches in surface of boards.

Pages are lightly tanned. Very little foxing found in these volumes, mostly limited to fly leafs and plates. Plates have acquired an attractive gray-purple hue. Frontispieces and plates have acquired an interesting gray/purple hue over time. Some minor chipping, tears found along a few individual page edges.

Volume XIII: King Lear, Romeo and JulietThis set includes:

Volume XV: Venus and Adonis, The Rape of Lucrece, Sonnets, The Lovers Complaint, and The Passionate Pilgrim

Condition:

Five of the eleven volumes are in Good condition, with nice tight spines and covers and all pages attached. A blank page at the front of Volume VII is detached at spine but still present. Front boards/end papers of Volumes I, VIII, IX, XIII are cleanly detached at spine but still present. Front board of Volume X appears to be glued along spine.

Decorative labels along the spines are brittle with age, with some pieces missing. Some bumping to corners, edges and scuff marks/scratches in surface of boards.

Pages are very lightly tanned. Very little foxing found in these volumes, mostly limited to blank sides of end papers and plates. Plates have acquired an attractive grey hue. Frontispieces and plates have acquired an interesting gray/purple hue over time. Some minor chipping, tears found along a few individual page edges.

Buy it today on Ebay!



Friday, March 6, 2009

The Works of Charles Dickens 14 Volume Antiquarian Book Set Collier 1900

Today I am listing a partial set containing 14 out of 30 volumes of The Works of Charles, published in 1900 by Peter Fenelon Collier. Each book in this collection is beautifully illustrated, and features an attractive frontispiece and tissue guard. Speckled edges and dark blue-green boards.  8” tall by 6” wide. 


I’d estimate the grade of these books to range from good to very good. The exception is Volume XXIX, which I’d rate as being in Poor/Fair condition. Boards and cloth are in nice shape, with some bumping, scuff marks, and minor staining to exterior. All books are complete with all pages and boards attached. Pages are lightly tanned with no foxing. See below for condition details for individual books.


Volume XIII: A Tale of Two Cities, Miscellaneous: The Perils of Certain English Prisoners, The Wreck of the Golden Mary, The Begging-Letter Writer. 18 Illustrations. 3” tear in title page. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 


Volume XIV: Dombey & Son Part One. 18 Illustrations. Front board/fly leaf detached from frontispiece, but still attached to binding. Name “Charles Dickens” written in pencil on front fly leaf – certainly this is not an authentic signature given that author had been deceased for some time when this edition was printed. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XVII: The Old Curiosity Shop Part Two, Hard Times, Miscellaneous – Sketches of Young Couples. 18 Illustrations. Small pencil mark on back of fly leaf.

Volume XVIII: Christmas Books, Miscellaneous – The Haunted House. 26 Illustrations. Tearing along spine at front hinge, cover remains attached. Front section up through title page is starting to come loose, but remains attached. This volume has a good deal of ink & pencil writing in it from previous owners, particularly in the front & back of book. Some pencil in margins, text – does not affect readability of stories. Small black stain across bottom edge. 

Volume XX: Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club Part One. 28 Illustrations. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XXI: Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Party Two. 26 Illustrations. Small 1/4” tear on bottom edge. Small pencil mark on back flyleaf.

Volume XXIII: Bleak House Part II. 30 Illustrations. Small pencil mark back fly leaf.

Volume XXIV: Pictures From Italy, Uncommercial Traveller. 30 Illustrations. Front board & fly leaf separated from frontispiece but still well attached. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 

Volume XXV: Barnaby Rudge Part I. 28 Illustrations. Top corned of back fly leaf folded over. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 

Volume XXVI: Barnaby Rudge Part Two, Master Humphrey’s Clock & Other Stories. 24 Illustrations. Cracking along gutter between fly leaf and frontispiece. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XXVII: American Notes, Reprinted Pieces. 12 Illustrations. Minor tearing along front hinge. Small pencil mark back fly leaf.

Volume XXVIII: Child’s History of England. 13 Illustrations. A few tears in cloth along backstrip, with a small ½” section of cloth detached and dangling at top of spine. Name/Date (1900)/Address written in pencil on interior of front board. Hinged – some tearing along front hinge. A few minor tears and chipping present in blank pages in back of book. 

Volume XXIX: Christmas Stories. 13 Illustrations. Hinged – Some tearing in paper along front hinge. Small pencil mark back fly leaf. 1/2” section of top corner back board is damaged – seems to have been bumped pretty hard. 

Volume XXX: No Thoroughfare, The Mystery of Edwin Droor. 16 Illustrations. 1/2” piece of cloth dangling loosely at top of backstrip. Shaken. Cracking along back of title page. 2” tear paper where interior of front board meets fly leaf. Some page corners folded over. 

This wonderful set of antiquarian books is available for purchase now for just $74.95 on:



If you have any questions about these books, please feel free to contact me at!

Best,

David Anderson
Portsmouth Vintage Books
davewanderson@care2.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Works of Charles Dickens Collier's Unabridged Edition

Welcome to the Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore blog! Today I am listing a complete set of the Works of Charles Dickens, Collier's Unabridged Edition. This unique oversize edition features an ornate gilt cover design and is profusely illustrated throughout. The set includes six volumes, each containing several Dickens classics. Each book is 7 1/2 " wide by 10 1/2" tall. The books are undated, with the exception of the date 1870 located beneath the frontispiece of Volume I. 


Included in this set:

Volume I: Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Our Mutual Friend - 20 Illustrations;

Volume II: Great Expectations, Little Dorrit, Martin Chuzzelwit - 20 Illustrations;

Volume III: Nicholas Nickleby, Christmas Books, A Tale of Two Cities, Dombey & Son - 24 Illustrations;

Volume IV: Old Curiosity Shop, Sketches by Boz, Hard Times, Miscellaneous - 16 Illustrations;

Volume V: Pickwick Papers, Pictures From Italy, American Notes, Bleak House;

Volume VI: The Uncommon Traveller, A Child's History of England, Barnaby Rudge, Miscellaneous, The Mystery of Edwin Drood - 21 Illustrations;

I'd estimate the grade of these books to range from Poor/Fair to Good. Exterior: Gilt design has faded, particularly along spine. Some staining/scuff  marks typical of books this age. Interior: Cracking along interior of cover by spine. Minor foxing, writing by previous owners. Some volumes have loose/missing/torn pages. 

You can own this unique set of antiquarian books today!




I'm always willing to answer any questions you might have about the books featured on this blog. Feel free to contact me at davewanderson@care2.com

Happy reading!

David Anderson
Portsmouth Vintage Books