Trying to source hard-cover Chalet School Books

[daisychain01]

Has anyone bought any hard-cover Chalet School Books from Girls Gone By Publishers?

I'm just wondering whether their reprint books are reasonably authentic (for example the dustcovers) and whether they would blend in reasonably well with old 2nd hand versions of the books. I'm thinking of trying to build up my collection and keen on hard-backs rather than paperbacks.

... but I know originals in reasonable condition are going to be frightfully expensive so I'll have to ask for a few as birthday and Christmas presents.

Any recommendations and comments would be much appreciated, thanks!

[CMOTDibbler]

GGBP books are lovely, and the ladies that run it are fabulous and dedicated CS fans.

If you are looking to collect hardbacks, it would be worth joining Friends of the Chalet School as then you get lists of books for sale

[daisychain01]

Hi CMOT - thanks so much for your advice.

They do seem lovely people reading their website and my heart warmed, Clarissa looks a bit like my form mistress at my old school (not in Austria, only Ealing, ha-ha). What an amazing job they have.

I shall join the Friends, thanks for the recommendation.

There is an old bookshop near me, which I will visit after the holidays, but I'm thinking they will probably charge an arm and 3 legs for second hand copies, if they even have any - I'm thinking they must be like gold-dust!

You mentioned the list of books for sale - do you mean second-hand? or just the books sold by GGBP? I wonder if people ever part with their CS books

Thanks again, happy 2015!

[CMOTDibbler]

Yes, second hand. There are a few dealers who specialise in school stories - Topsy Turvey and Gill Bilski are people I know, but there are others.

People do sell their books - for instance, at some point I'll have to sell my mums collections - and there are those treasures that pop up in charity shops, and I think many larger shops know to check with specialist dealers on some authors

[daisychain01]

Thanks for those 2 links - It has given me a reality check, I'd have to have deep pockets to afford a CS collection from those dealers!

I'm sure they have priced according to rarity and condition, a lot of leg-work must be involved in sourcing those book collections. I will keep an eye out on the 2ndH book lists

I've ordered Books 2, 3 and 4 from GGBP, and I'm sure they will be great. I will see if I can find Book 1 elsewhere - may have to settle for a poorer condition.

It's a wrench having to dispose of books that have been in the family for a long time - we had to do that when my parents moved house. I have kept a few volumes that mean a lot, but the others had to go unfortunately .

Thanks so much for helping, it has set me off to a good start!

[lemonpuff]

Hi Daisy chain, are you in London? I have a number of duplicate hardbacks.

[daisychain01]

Hi lemon puff, thanks so much for your suggestion.

It would be great if you could PM me with the books you have and we can take it from there. I'm keen on non-abridged versions if possible, as I understand there are the older traditional texts but also modern versions where they have modernised the language etc. but would be delighted to talk further.

[hels71]

GGBP reprints are all unabridged and the covers tend to be copies of the dustwrappers. they are all paperbacks though. You can get hardbacks on e bay for varying prices...