Buzz Books

bzbks.com -> Shop -> Fairy Tales

HELP! I’m drowning in books. I’ve been doing my best to make a dent in the back log but need to get some movement off these shelves. I’ve got at least 100 more books coming this week and quite literally nowhere to put them. So, here’s 15% off ANY book order from BuzzBookstore.com: just enter BIOGRAFIAS at checkout. Unlimited uses. Use it on one book or 100, just make sure to use it before midnight EST on Friday. And bonus karma points if you know why that’s the code I chose.

“The Master Key” by L. Frank Baum [Bowen Merrill, 1901]. First edition, third state in Very Good condition. A year after publishing “The Wizard of Oz”, Baum published this “fairy tale founded upon the wonders of electricity”. After experimenting with electricity and accidentally touching The Master Key, a boy summons the Demon of Electricity who grants him wishes. $300 via DM. Comparable copies range $350-$600+. Price includes free domestic shipping. Not yet listed anywhere else online for sale. Your chance to own a first edition Baum AND a very rare fairy tale that speaks to the early days and fears of electricity! #rarebooks #lfrankbaum #wizardofoz #fairytales #firsteditionbooks #bookcollecting #booknerd #bookporn #bibliophile #treatyourshelf #oldbooks #usedbookstore #vintagechildrensbooks #juvenalia #buzzinstock https://www.instagram.com/p/CNkzIy6hoCi/?igshid=1qeuqeyv5fhn0

Sunday in blue #shelfiesunday #rarebooks #shelfporn #bookporn #bookcollections #librariesofinstagram #booknerd #oldbooksmell #oldbooks #usedbookstore #vintagebooks #vintagebookstagram #bibliophile #fairytales #booknerd #treatyourshelf (No, The Blue Fairy Book isn’t for sale yet.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNiBjzDB5OF/?igshid=zo2ubg7z94of

As previously previewed: “La Divine Comédie” by Dante Alighieri [Jean de Bonnot, 1988]. Three volume set in both Italian and French. Genuine sheep leather, 22 karat gold embellishments, and illustrated by Sandro Botticell. Fine condition all around. Unbeatable shelf presence, to be sure. $200 via DM. Price includes free domestic shipping. Headed to bed shortly but will honor first DM so message quickly. #divinecomedy #dante #dantesinferno #rarebooks #bookset #bookcollecting #booknerd #italianliterature #bibliophile #bookporn #shelfporn #treatyourshelf #bookish #vintagebooks #vintagebooksforsale #jeandebonnot #treatyourshelf #buzzinstock https://www.instagram.com/p/CNY3iCFBSg1/?igshid=eyu4zpxvvifj

“The Poetical Works of William Cowper” with biographical notice by the Rev. H.F. Cary* [Leavitt & Allen, c1860]. Large format Cowper with elaborate gilt portrait on spine and deeply embossed cover. See final photo for size comparison vs some other Cowpers. Rubbing to top of spine, front hinge partially cracked, some foxing to early pages. All in all, an imposing piece with significant shelf presence. $85 via DM. Price includes free domestic shipping. Not yet listed anywhere else online for sale. #cowper #williamcowper #vintagepoetry #edwardianpoetry #victorianbindings #rarebooks #oldbooks #oldschoolcool #booknerd #bibliophile #bookishglee #bookworm #poetrynerd #treatyourshelf #buzzinstock https://www.instagram.com/p/CNYfoobBM5q/?igshid=15wqxf7b53y2b

Yes, I’ve been posting rare fairy tale books for weeks now. But, well, there’s “rare” and there’s “RARE”. How about a set from the author that quite literally invented the term fairy tale? “Les Contes des Fées” by Madam d’Aulnoy aka Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d’Aulnoy [La Compagnie does Libraires, 1774]. Complete in four sheep leather bindings with cat’s paw design. Marbled endpapers in the classic 18th century French swirl of blue, pink, and yellow. Marbled edges. Some loss of spine gilt, rubbing/fraying to top spine edges, rubbing to raised bands. Bindings all solid. Volume 2 missing pg 13/14. Else, Very Good. $875 via DM. Price includes free domestic shipping. Not yet listed anywhere else online for sale but still be closer to $1,000 when/if it hits eBay. #rarebooks #antiquarianbooks #madamdaulnoy #fairytales #shelfporn #bookporn #fairiesofinstagram #bibliophile #bookcollecting #booknerd #bookset #frenchbooks #bookish #bookworm #treatyourshelf #oldbooks #bookstagram #buzzinstock https://www.instagram.com/p/CNYEBiYBx4n/?igshid=14ml3l8am0zl2

“More Books in More Places” (What, not vibing my 2012 AT&T ad references? I dig deep.) An unintentional Christmas shelf; my 1880s books always seem to be red & green. I think all but the Les Mis are up in the eBay shop with additional photos and condition notes. @att #rarebooks #christmasshelf #ilovethe1880s #charlesdickens #fairytales #divinecomedy #dante #lesmis #lesmiserables #morebarsinmoreplaces #booknerd #bibliophile #bookporn #shelfporn #bookobsessed #usedbookstore #shelfie https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKEhaVh213/?igshid=1fyy7r8sbif60

Oh hello: A few months ago, I found what I described as “the straight up sexiest copy of The Count of Monte Cristo I [had] ever seen.” And then it promptly sold within 30 minutes for $375. Before I had a chance to become covetous and decide to keep! But lo and behold, of course another 1894 set comes my way. Should I keep it or sell it? #thecountofmontecristo #countofmontecristo #alexandredumas #revengestories #bookset #bookporn #shelfporn #rarebookcollector #rarebooks #bookcollecting #shelfie #booknerd #oldschoolcool #shutupandtakemymoney #bibliophile #bookworm #bookobsessed #vintagebookstagram #vintagebooks #usedbookstore #bookenvy #treatyourshelf https://www.instagram.com/p/CK2aBm2hgID/?igshid=1hqw758mufieh

I missed the anniversary of publication by a couple days (whoops) but here’s a lovely copy of Pride & Prejudice in gilt and green. Just arrived a few minutes ago so it’s not listed anywhere for sale yet. Printed in 1892 by Little, Brown and Company, it’s not nearly my oldest copy but by far my most attractive. Gilt top edge, bright gilt on cover/spine, minimal shelfwear, strong binding. Happy belated publishing anniversary, Jane. #prideandprejudice #janeausten #janeite #edwardianfiction #victorianbinding #ilovethe1890s #rarebooks #bookporn #shelfporn #thisjustin #mrdarcy #vintagebooks #vintagebooksforsale #vintagebookstagram #bookcollecting #booknerd #bibliophile #bookworm #bookish #bookobsessed #treatyourshelf https://www.instagram.com/p/CKrPC7ABWpV/?igshid=gmtf2ro94qlb

Back in stock after USPS Priority Mail 2-Day failed to arrive two states away after three weeks. I even had to pay them $15 to find it and ship it back to me. “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London [Macmillan, 1903]. First edition, 4th printing in Good+ condition. One of four first editions still in inventory as of now. $125 on BuzzBookstore.com or via DM; $150 on eBay. #callofthewild #thecallofthewild #jacklondon #firstedition #firsteditionbooks #rarebooks #americana #bibliophile #bookcollecting #shelfporn #bookporn #adventurestories #booknerd #bookobsessed #bookish #usedbookstore #vintagebooks #vintagebookstagram #oldschoolcool https://www.instagram.com/p/CKW6ZcOhSho/?igshid=6e4djpn257og

Revisiting one on my favorite copies currently in inventory: “Notre-Dame de Paris” by Victor Hugo, aka “The Hunchback of Notre Dame [Euguene Renduel, 1836]. 8th edition of this classic; very early illustrated edition. Modern rebind in burgundy leather with gilt spine titling and tooling. New gilt on page edges and new marbled + cream endpapers & FFE. Half title, engraved title, and typographical title pages all present + 631 pps (11 full page illustrations). Significant foxing, small tear in tissue preceding engraved title. Otherwise, condition is VG+ due to rebind. Rebound by Arno Werner Bookbinders of Maine, per the binder's ticket in the back. $500 on BuzzBookstore.com or $600 on eBay. #victorhugo #hunchbackofnotredame #notredamedeparis #earlyedition #leatherbooks #manyleatherboundbooks #manyleatherboundbooksandrichmahogany #rarebooks #antiquarianbooks #booknerd #frenchlit #bibliophile #bookish #bookworm #bookobsessed https://www.instagram.com/p/CKIIhWUh_JT/?igshid=b4u9uj7dzio2

Had to move the 1834 Miltons to make room for the 5th edition “Wealth of Nations”. Sorry fellas. Still looking good though. #shelfie #thursdayshelfie #rarebooks #firsteditions #wealthofnations #adamsmith #johnmilton #bookset #leatherbooks #manyleatherboundbooks #aliceinwonderland #downtherabbithole #bookcollecting #bookcollection #treatyourshelf #antiquarianbooks #antiquarianbookshop #shelfporn #bookporn #booknerd #bibliophile #bookgasm https://www.instagram.com/p/CJwkzhzhT9k/?igshid=39mecazzqc75

Did you break your cow? Well I’ve got you, fam. #cattle #rarebooks #bovinediseases #departmentofarchitecture #bookcollecting #ireallydohaveALLthebooks #vintagebooks #vintagebookstagram #usedbookstore #cowsofinstagram #cowsmakemehappy https://www.instagram.com/p/CJuBoVLBUwA/?igshid=196xhqvv52s54

Jack London sure loved his dog stories. Over a decade after writing the more famous “The Call of The Wild” and “White Fang”, London penned two novels about Irish terriers named Jeremy and Michael, set in the Solomon Islands. #jacklondon #irishterrier #solomonislands #themoreyouknow #vintagebooks #todayilearned #vintagebookstagram #usedbookstore #rarebooks #bookcollecting https://www.instagram.com/p/CJcCKB3hqdL/?igshid=g2pib4fw208y

Just 364 more sleeps until Christmas! If you will begrudge me one final Christmas post, this lovely c1910s “A Christmas Carol” just arrived today (better late than never) due to the whole mail backlog everyone is experiencing. While the bookstore is not closed for the holidays this year, I am taking a bit of a break from listing new books to spend time with my family so you won’t find this one my site yet. #achristmascarol #christmascarol #charlesdickens #dickensian #bookcollecting #colorillustration #rarebooks #booknerd #christmasbooks #dickens #bibliophile #treatyourshelf #christmas2021 #redandgold https://www.instagram.com/p/CJSJrTUBXFD/?igshid=10fuwm9hxnrku