Frequently Asked Questions

How do you grade the books you sell?
Books are graded as follows:

MINT: The book is in perfect condition.  Complete with its dustjacket and is impossible to distinguish from a new copy. Dustjacket: As new.
FINE: The book appears to be in excellent condition.  On closer inspection, it will show evidence of ownership and storage.  There may also be a small inscription to or by the previous owner, but generally the book is in near perfect condition. Binding is tight, pages are clean and crisp. Dustjacket: As new, but with very slight rubbing on corners.
VERY GOOD: Slightly less than Fine condition.  Apart from slight foxing or fading, the book has no faults, binding is tight, pages are clean and sound. Will show light signs of wear. Dustjacket: Clean with excellent colouring, but with slight rubbing to most edges and corners.
GOOD: It is obvious that the book is secondhand.  Complete in all respects, unless described otherwise. Good reading copy. Dustjacket: Fairly clean with slightly less than perfect colouring, slight rubbing to most edges and corners.
ACCEPTABLE: This book will have significant reading wear. All pages and the cover will be intact. Pages can include notes or highlighting. Not for a gift. Dustjacket: Slightly grubby with colour loss, edges rubbed, minor tears and creasing.
POOR:  A book in this category is in really bad condition.  It may be warped, the preliminary pages may be missing and the spine irreparably damaged.  Text is complete but the book is only suitable to read. Dustjacket: Very tatty and grubby, and may be marked, stained, creased or torn.

Do you buy antiques and collectables from members of the public?
Although we are always interested in your items, it is very rare that we will be able to buy from you. We often take telephone calls or receive emails from people asking us to buy their antiques. It is almost impossible for us to give a valuation on anything from just a verbal description, or from a photograph. Our rule is never to buy anything unless we have personally handled the piece. However, we are reluctant to ask you to post any of your items to us for our opinion, as there is a chance that damage could occur in transit. If you do have a piece that interests us, we are usually happy to travel about 50 miles from our base to meet you at a mutually convenient place.

So, if you are not interested in buying my antiques, what should I do?
Our advice is always to contact your local auction house, who will give you an honest appraisal of your item(s), and will advise you on the best course to follow. Most auction houses hold free antique valuation days where you are under no obligation to sell you items with them.  Contact details of most auction houses are available on the Internet.

I am interested in Royal Crown Derby Paperweights. Are all those you sell First Quality?
All RCD paperweights we sell on this website are First Quality, and come complete with their original Gold Stopper. Usually the original box is supplied, unless noted in the description. All the RCD paperweights are in  excellent or"As New" condition. If any are slightly less than this we have noted the fact in the description.

I'm looking for a particular RCD paperweight. Can you help?
We are constantly looking in the secondary market for First Quality paperweights, especially those editions which have been closed by the factory. If you would like us to try to find a particular paperweight, please let us know and we will do our best to find one.