Judging a book by its cover

Second edition, published by Mills & Boon, 1936.Aren’t these vintage books wonderful? Often when scavenging in charity shops I stumble upon quaint vintage books, falling in love with their worn bindings, the torn paper dust jackets with their retro designs; even the foxed interior pages hold charm. I totally judge them by their covers and buy them – but rarely read them (except in the case of the Georgette Heyers, which are so much fun).

But I am intrigued anew by Love Pirate. What a title! First published by Mills & Boon in 1935, it was obviously part of a circulating library at one time, as it has numerous stamps on the inside front cover, indicating that it had been lent out between September 1936 and February 1950. After this time it must have been withdrawn, and then the book passed through two different newsagents in Sydney Rd, Brunswick before it somehow made its way into my hands.

It has languished for years on my bookshelves, buried behind a front row of books, but it may now migrate to my bedside table to be dipped into one sleepless night. 

Amongst the selection below are two versions of Frederica, by Georgette Heyer, both published in the same year, and an interesting comparison of two different imprints. 

© 1963 by Georgette Heyer. Edition issued by The Book Club, published by The Bodley Head, 1963. Inscribed: Diane Roberts

© 1965 by Georgette Heyer. Published by The Bodley Head, 1965. Inscribed: To June, from Joan Arthur, Xmas 1966

© 1965 by Georgette Heyer. Edition issued by The Book Club, published by The Bodley Head, 1965. Inscribed: Diane Roberts

Published by Hurst & Blackett, 1960. Inscribed: Diane Roberts