About us
The business was founded by Christian White in 2006 and has its home in northern England, close to the Yorkshire Dales, in Ilkley. We sell books via this website, through ABEbooks and Alibris. We are members of the PBFA and exhibit regularly at bookfairs in London and across the UK.
Modernfirsteditions ranges widely across the field of rare books and manuscripts. We offer carefully selected items of quality and enduring importance. We believe in the timeless value of rare books and manuscripts, and recognise that by owning and passing them on they enrich our lives with the values that they embody.
Our specialist areas include the works of William Shakespeare, the photo-books of the English photographer P H Emerson, those almost unobtainable examples of early Dustjacketed books, and literary letters. To borrow the words of the biblio-mystery writer, John Dunning, we look for 'Unusual Associations, Offbeat Signatures, and Pristine Condition'.
Christian welcomes visits from customers new and old, and is always happy to discuss book sales and purchases in person.