Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Q: How can I view the status of my order?
A: Go to the Customer Service, Account Information page. This page lists all your orders. Click the date of the order whose status you wish to view.

Q: What are your shipping costs?
A: You can view an estimate of shipping costs by viewing your cart.However, final shipping costs will be displayed on the Invoice you see before confirming your order.

All items are shipped free of charge within the U.S. All international customers must pay shipping (which we calculate at a discount), as well as any import taxes or duty associated with the shipment. Many of these books are quite heavyand all international shipping must include insurance, please keep this in mind when looking at international shipping

Q: Can items be picked up instead of shipped?
A: If you are in Boston, you may arrange pickup by calling 617-424-9726. Please call at least 48 hours in advance so that we can have your items ready. All books are stored at another location in an archival climate controlled facility.

Q: Do you have a bookstore where I can browse through your inventory before I buy?
A: We do not have a physical retail bookstore. This allows us to guarantee the condition of the items we sell because they are not touched by other customers before you buy. This is an important consideration when purchasing collectible photography books. We try to give a complete and accurate description of each item. If you have any questions, please call or email us before you buy.

Q: Can orders be placed over the phone instead of through the shopping cart/checkout system?
A: We will be happy to take your order by phone at 617-424-9726. Business hours are 10-5, Monday through Friday, EDT. Please have your credit card or PayPal account information ready when you call. If you get an answering machine when you call, please leave your name, number and the reason for your call. We will call you back as soon as possible.

Q: What are the meanings of the ratings that are used to describe the conditions of books?
A: When 2 conditions are listed (e.g., very fine/fine), the first is for the book jacket and the second is for the book. Ratings used:

AS NEW (aka PRISTINE or MINT): To be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition in which it was published. There can be no defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dust jacket (if it was issued with one) must be perfect, without any tears. (The term As New is preferred over the alternative term Mint to describe a copy that is perfect in every respect, including jacket.) The term PRISTINE is sometimes used as proxy to AS NEW or MINT.

VERY FINE: Approaches the condition of As New, however may have one or two qualifications, which should be noted. The book must be crisp and just shy of As New condition. Any imperfection should be minor and non-distracting to the viewer.

FINE: Approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. For the use of the term there must also be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted. Sunning or clipped covers should be noted.

NEAR FINE: Close to Fine condition, however may have some describable imperfections and surface wear, especially on the cover boards or dust jacket. Binding must be near perfect and pages crisp. Sunning and page wear must be considered.

VERY GOOD: Can describe a used book that does show some small signs of wear – but no tears – on either binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.

GOOD: Describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.

FAIR: A worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc. may also be worn. All defects must be noted.POOR: Describes a book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.

EX-LIBRARY: Copies must always be designated as such no matter what the condition of the book.

BOOK CLUB: Editions must always be noted as such no matter what the condition of the book.

BINDING COPY: Describes a book in which the pages or leaves are perfect but the binding is very bad, loose, off, or nonexistent.

DUST JACKET: In all cases, the lack of a dust jacket should be noted if the book was issued with one.

SIGNED: Describes a book that has been signed by the artist, writer, or publisher. Some sellers describe the ink, quality, or method of signing. A signed bookmarker may also be considered as Signed.

NUMBERED: Describes a book of a limited print run. Typically this is hand written on the Colophon of the book, or the title page.

SEALED: A book that is still under publisher’s wraps, which is usually a cellophane or plastic wrapping.

OPENED ONLY FOR SIGNATURE: Sometimes publishers seal book prior to the artist’s signing them. In these cases, the plastic wrapping that seals the book is carefully opened to allow the artist to sign (and number) the book, and then is replaced and taped sealed.

INSCRIBED COPY: Describes a book that has been signed to a specific person, gallery, or institution. Inscribed books are generally treated as Signed, but not valued as much.

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