Posted by Roger Wardale on December 06, 2014 at 05:55:14 user RogerW.
I do not know whether this is a 'proper' Tarboard message, but if it is not, it will be properly removed.
It must be 40 years ago that I began searching every secondhand bookshop I could for Ransome Firsts — and there were a great many more secondhand treasure houses in those days. I avoided book fairs because the fun of the chase and the very occasional success was what spurred me on. Sometimes I 'improved' the set when I found a better copy, but I have only ever seen one first of PD, CC (with jacket!!) and WH and these were snapped up on the spot. Some have original jackets which, of course, put the price up.
It must be 20 years since my last 'find' with SA and SD still missing from the shelf. I could complete the set from the internet, but that would defeat my original intent. Instead I have compiled a set of 'best early copies' 1930s and 1940s firsts, without jackets.
I wonder if any Tarboarder would be interested in acquiring and possibly completing the set of 'firsts'. Obviously I can supply mre detains in that event.