The Boardgame Book by R. C. Bell (1983 Hardcover)

 

• Author: Robert Charles Bell (1917-2002)
• Illustrators: Over 50 photographers & illustrators
• Publisher: Exeter Books, New York, NY U.S.A. 1983

'The Boardgame Book' has over eighty games of skill and chance with rules and diagrams arranged for playing on an open page of the book. A 20.5"x30.75" sheet of full color playing tokens/markers and artwork is laid-in.

 

This book describes games from all corners of the earth, gives a brief description of rules, history and strategy. A glossary and bibliography included. Text enhanced with extensive artwork including line drawings and photography by multiple artists.

 

Robert Charles Bell (1917-2002) was a consultant plastic surgeon and was on the editorial board of the British Journal of Plastic Surgery. Outside of medicine, Bell became an international authority on board games and also wrote books for collectors on Tyneside Pottery and Trade Tokens. As of 2007, much of his extensive collection of games and game paraphernalia resides at the University of Durham, UK.

 

Hardcover has full color laminated boards in a good DJ. Jacket has tears and is missing chips at foot. Tears stabilized with tape. Interior is tight and unmarked. Has been used to play some games. The token/markers sheet laid-in is as new, so you can either cut out pieces to play games or frame sheet as art.

 

• Size: Folio - over 12 - 15" tall, 160 pp.
• Condition: Good Plus Hardcover in Good Dust Jacket

 

No copyright date given. 'Board And Table Games From Many Civilizations' (a revised edition of 1960 & 1969 volumes of same name numbered 1 & 2, but bound into a single book) was published by Dover Publications, in 1979. This copy, with the name modification 'The Boardgame Book', is from Exeter Books, (who essentially reprinted Dover's edition) 1983. No edition/printing info given. ISBN: 0-671-06030-9. No LCCN. MSR is not stated, but implied less than "Originally Published at $35.00."

 

Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:

 

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new”.  Booksellers needed some word to describe this...

 

Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show ownership.

 

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” The most likely condition

for books of this age, shows the book has been read or previously owned.

 

Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure

someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or

a book that has been damaged.)

 

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have

missing pages (you should ask).

 

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

 

1^st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1^st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1^st edition. A collector

might desire this copy.

 

Thanks for looking!