Preface to the 9th Edition

 

This is still a work in progress.  I regret that I still have not been able to locate a reasonably priced database that will make searching and sorting easier.  In the meantime, the Google search feature with all its deficiencies will have to serve.

 

The general rating system for rarity used in this work has been standardised.  It works this way:

 

Scarce	Under 1000 copies believed to exist as of the year 2004
Very scarce	Under 500 copies
Exceptionally scarce	Under 100 copies
Rare	Several copies
Very rare	One or two copies
Exceptionally rare	No copies

 

Where the number of copies printed existing is not known, I assume as follows:

 

19th century	US and UK published books	Scarce
19th century	US and UK pamphlets	Very scarce
19th century	WI books	Very scarce
19th century	WI pamphlets	Exceptionally scarce
18th century	US and UK published books	Very scarce
18th century	US and UK pamphlets	Exceptionally scarce
18th century	WI books	Exceptionally scarce
18th century	WI pamphlets	Rare
17th century	US and UK books	Exceptionally scarce
17th century	US and UK pamphlets	Rare
17th century	WI books	Rare
17th century	WI pamphlets	Very rare

 

Where the evidence shows that a different rating should be applied to a particular item, that evidence has been followed.

 

I have again to thank the many dealers, book collectors, and West-Indian-book lovers and other correspondents who have suggested many of the changes that have been made since the last edition.

 

I look forward to continuing to hear from those of you who have used the work and have any comment to make or information to share.

 

Don Mitchell CBE QC

February 2007

 

idmitch@anguillanet.com