M Blakeley, Bookseller

The short answer is yes. However until all of the present inventory is uploaded I am not currently buying books.

When  I buy books, I'm looking for nice, clean copies with a minimum of wear. I prefer books with no highlighting or stamps or writing inside them.

1. Ex-libris (ex-library). Your ex-library books are most likely fine. I've seen some ex-library books that look like they've never been read.

Here are the reasons why:

Library books have usually travelled  heavily between readers and suffer more damage along the way. It's a simple matter of wear and tear. Also, libraries put all kinds of stamps, stickies, etc. all over their books. The risk is too high that ex-libris books may not have been cancelled from the library system.

.2. Musty, moldy smelling books.

Currently I accept charge cards, debit, e-cheques and instant payment through PayPal. Just select this method on check out.

I also accept money orders and bank drafts. Please email if you wish to pay using this method.

All orders must be prepaid.

Shipping and handling are kept to the minimum and are charged to the purchaser at cost. Shipping and handling includes the actual cost of mailing plus packaging materials.

Shipping is normally by Canada Post. To the USA standard shipping is by small packets light or small packets.

Email me your city/prov. or state and I will send you an estimate of the shipping cost.

Shipping costs include packaging and actual shipping costs.

We use the minimum packaging materials and shipping services necessary to ensure that your purchase reaches you safely and in the condition stated...

Shipping times vary depending on the volume of mail going through the system. Shipping times may increase around the holidays especially Christmas time. Order early to avoid disappointment.

Shipping times are also influenced as your order crosses the border. USA customs may slow delivery especially during times of high alert. Neither this shop nor the Postal systems can do anything to speed delivery times across international borders. Shipping by air or g round will not make much difference.

For many years, the grading system defined by AB Bookman (now sadly defunct) was the standard in the antiquarian book trade. IOBA's standards, listed below, do not fundamentally differ from those standards though they have been expanded upon, and defined a bit more specifically.

(Condition normally shown as __/__, i.e., F/F, denoting first book & then dustjacket condition)

AS NEW (AN) or VERY FINE (VF) or MINT (M): Without faults or defects, unread, in the same immaculate condition in which it was published (Note: very few "new" books qualify for this grade, as many times there will be rubs/scuffs to the dustjackets from shipping, or bumped lower spine ends/corners from shelving).

FINE (F): Approaches the above, but not crisp. May have been carefully read and dustjacket may have been slightly rubbed or spine ends slightly bumped from shelving/shipping, but no real defects or faults.

(NOTE: From here on, there may be "+" and "-" in a grade, which will mean that it is above the grade noted but not quite to the next higher grade for "+", and that it is below the grade noted but not quite to the next lower grade for "-".

NEAR FINE: Also used, although not contained in Bookman's Weekly definitions, meaning a book or dustjacket approaching FINE but with a couple of very minor defects or faults.

VERY GOOD: A used book showing some small signs of wear on either binding or dustjacket. Any defects/faults must be noted.

GOOD: 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 page, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, dustjacket, etc. may also be worn. All defects/faults must be noted.

POOR or READING COPY: A book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. May be soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted, and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.

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

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

BINDING COPY: A book in which the pages or leaves are perfect but the binding is very bad, loose, off, or non-existent.

Always, if issued with one, the lack of a dustjacket or slipcase should be noted.

Copyright 2000 by Independent Online Booksellers Association

This site does not store or sell shoppers' private information. Personal information collected will be limited to that necessary to complete the purchase of products listed (name, address, phone number).

I will never sell or share information about my customers with any third party.

Information gathered is not used for any other purpose than to process your order and shipping it out to you. 

I will keep your name and address on file, but this information is used only in the case of future orders.

All credit card information is destroyed after your order is processed.

If you have any concerns or questions about this privacy policy, please write to me at mblakeley.bookseller@hotmail.com