Between the Covers Rare Books

Collectors' Terms

A selection from BTC's Illustrated Glossary - part of our new, online reference guide.

Inscribed

A personalized sentiment or message in a book, usually from the author to another specific person. We distinguish this from a simple, unpersonalized signature, which we would refer to as "signed," rather than inscribed. We also distinguish an inscribed book from one that is signed by the author with a sentiment but is not clearly addressed to a specific individual (such as "Best wishes, J.D. Salinger" - who would want that?). Some authors will plow through a stack of their books at a bookstore, writing in each one a generic sentiment for the bookstore to sell afterwards. In very recent years some unscrupulous individuals have claimed that signed books are preferable to inscribed books because usually the inscribed book is inscribed "to some stranger." What they aren't telling you is that it is easier to forge a signature than it is to forge an entire inscription. If you would prefer a book allegedly signed by Thomas Pynchon to this copy of his first book genuinely inscribed by him to the parents of his friend and classmate, the author Richard Farina, (offered in our second Classic Book Cards set), you're just not getting it. For perhaps the best explanation of the entire signed versus inscribed argument, refer to the excellent article by Ken Lopez. In short, the more that has been hand-written by the author into a copy of his book, the better.

All BTC Rotating Books in Stock

SORT BY:

SHOW ONLY:

Showing: BTC Rotations

$2,500.00

Old Gold Book

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas: Hot Springs High School 1962-1964. Three volumes. Folios. Some modest wear, student inscriptions, mostly fine in custom cloth clamshell box. All three of Bill Clinton's... more>>

$850.00

The Blue and White 1916 Vol. 1 Published by the Class of 1917 Fisk University Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville: Class of 1917 Fisk University 1916. First edition. Quarto. Blue cloth gilt. 111pp., (16pp. ads), photographs. Corners a little bumped, a nice, near fine example. Lists... more>>

$475.00

The Yale Banner

New Haven: Yale University 1947. 1947 edition. Quarto. Ownership signature of a Yale freshman, else fine. Yearbook from former President George Bush's freshman year.... more>>

$35.00

United States Naval Chronology, World War II Prepared in the Naval History Division Office of the Chief of Naval...

Washington: Government Printing Office 1955. First edition. Blue buckram gilt. Small ownership stamp of a Naval officer, else very near fine. Issued without dustwrapper. more>>

$7.50

(ABBEY, Edward). The Staff of Quill and Brush, Inc.

Bibliography, First Edition and Price Guide (APG - Author's Price Guide Series)

Dickerson, MD: Quill & Brush 2004. 2004 (current) edition. 10 page bibliography and price-guide. A thorough guide to identifying and collecting first editions, advance... more>>

$450.00

$315.00

(ADAMS, Franklin P. as F.P.A.), editor

The Second Conning Tower Book

New York: Macy-Masius (1927). First edition. Fine in an attractive, very good plus dustwrapper slightly soiled on the spine and with a couple of tiny nicks at the... more>>

$3.00

(AGEE, James). The Staff of Quill and Brush, Inc.

Bibliography, First Edition and Price Guide (APG - Author's Price Guide Series)

Dickerson, MD: Quill & Brush 2004. 2004 (current) edition. 4 page bibliography and price-guide. A thorough guide to identifying and collecting first editions, advance... more>>

$5.25

$5.50

(ALBEE, Edward). The Staff of Quill and Brush, Inc.

Bibliography, First Edition and Price Guide (APG - Author's Price Guide Series)

Dickerson, MD: Quill & Brush 2004. 2004 (current) edition. 7 page bibliography and price-guide. A thorough guide to identifying and collecting first editions, advance... more>>

$4.50

(ALGREN, Nelson). The Staff of Quill and Brush, Inc.

Bibliography, First Edition and Price Guide (APG - Author's Price Guide Series)

Dickerson, MD: Quill & Brush 2004. 2004 (current) edition. 6 page bibliography and price-guide. A thorough guide to identifying and collecting first editions, advance... more>>

$3.00

(ALLEN, Woody). The Staff of Quill and Brush, Inc.

Bibliography, First Edition and Price Guide (APG - Author's Price Guide Series)

Dickerson, MD: Quill & Brush 2004. 2004 (current) edition. 4 page bibliography and price-guide. A thorough guide to identifying and collecting first editions, advance... more>>

1 to 10 of 1201

12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>

Related Reference

From our library — search- related authors and titles, images of the best copies we've offered, collecting tips, and more.

First Books

For some authors, their first book is the highlight of their careers. Others are just warming up.

Book Bargains

Our staff cat, Admiral Muffin, has selected thousands of books for special discount from all areas of our stock.

> Anthologies

> Poetry

> Plays

> Westerns

> Aviation

VAN DOREN STERN, Philip

The Other Side of the Clock: Stories...

ORIG. $85.00 SALE $59.50

member ABAA, ILAB