Journey

Expertise in 19th and 20th Century Literature
We specialize in the acquisition and sale of rare and collectible first editions, with a particular focus on significant literary works from the 19th and 20th centuries. Each volume in our inventory is selected for its historical importance, condition, and bibliographical significance.

Meticulous Cataloging and Description
Every book is physically inspected and described with professional rigor. We provide detailed condition reports noting any specific flaws, previous ownership marks, or restorative work. For first editions, we prioritize the identification of "points" and issue states to ensure our customers receive exactly what is described.

Authenticity and Provenance
Authenticity is the cornerstone of our business. We guarantee the stated edition and printing of every item. Where notable provenance exists, it is clearly documented within the listing. Collectors can purchase with the confidence that each item has been vetted against standard bibliographical references.

Commitment to the Physical Object
We understand that for the serious collector, the dust jacket, binding, and paper quality are as important as the text itself. We aim to preserve the integrity of these objects through archival-grade storage until the moment they are dispatched to their new homes.

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Alexander David Fine Books, Ashtead, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

1. The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
2. The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Professional Archival Packaging

We understand that rare books are fragile and often irreplaceable. To ensure your investment arrives in the exact condition described, every order undergoes a rigorous four-stage packaging process:

1. Archival Protection: Each book is fitted with a fresh, removable Mylar sleeve to protect the dust jacket (where applicable).
2. Acid-Free Barrier: The volume is wrapped in premium acid-free tissue paper to prevent any chemical transfer or scuffing.
3. Moisture & Impact Shield: The book is enclosed in a dedicated bubble-wrap pouch to provide a cushioned, moisture-resistant barrier.
4. Structural Defense: Your order is finally secured in a heavy-duty, corrugated book-wrap featuring "crumple zones" designed to absorb impact during long-distance transit.

Shipping Methodology & Insurance

• Domestic (UK): All orders are sent via tracked services to ensure secure delivery.
• International: We ship worldwide via tracked and signed-for options.
• Insurance: High-value items (£100+) are provided with full insurance coverage as standard.

Weight Basis
Our shipping rates are calculated based on allowing for an average book weight of 400g to 1kg. For exceptionally heavy volumes, multi-volume sets, or oversized folios, we may contact you to request additional postage via the AbeBooks system.

Customs and International Transit
We provide accurate customs declarations for all international shipments to ensure smooth transit through border controls. For items sent to the EU, we utilize the IOSS system where applicable to streamline the import process.

If you have any specific requirements regarding your shipment or need a bespoke courier quote, please contact Alexander David through the "Ask Bookseller a Question" link.

Privacy Policy: Alexander Porter t/a Alexander David Fine Books

1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy describes how Alexander Porter t/a Alexander David Fine Books ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you purchase an item from us, contact us, or otherwise use our services through AbeBooks.com or its related sites and services.

2. Personal Information We Collect
To fulfill your order, you must provide us with certain information (which you authorized AbeBooks to provide to us), such as:

Your name and email address.
Your shipping address and phone number (for delivery and customs purposes).
The details of the book(s) you are ordering.

Note: We do not see or store your credit card or payment details; these are handled exclusively by AbeBooks.

3. Why We Need Your Information and How We Use It
We rely on a number of legal bases to collect, use, and share your information, including:

Contractual Necessity: To provide our services, such as fulfilling your order, settling disputes, or providing customer support.

Legal Obligation: To comply with tax, customs, or trade laws (e.g., retaining records of sales for HMRC).

Legitimate Interests: To improve our services and ensure the security of our transactions, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights or interests.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
Information about our customers is important to our business. We share your personal information for very limited reasons and in limited circumstances, as follows:

AbeBooks: We share information with AbeBooks as necessary to provide you our services and comply with our obligations under the AbeBooks Seller Policy.

Service Providers: We engage certain trusted third parties to perform functions and provide services to our shop, such as shipping companies (Royal Mail, DHL, UPS). We share your personal information with these third parties, but only to the extent necessary to perform these services.

Tax & Customs Authorities: We may share information with customs or tax authorities (including IOSS reporting for EU orders) to comply with international trade laws.

Compliance with Laws: We may collect, use, retain, and share your information if we have a good faith belief that it is reasonably necessary to: (a) respond to legal process or government requests; (b) enforce our agreements, terms, and policies; (c) prevent, investigate, and address fraud and other illegal activity, security, or technical issues; or (d) protect the rights, property, and safety of our customers or others.

5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide you with our services and as described in our Privacy Policy. However, we may also be required to retain this information to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations (e.g., UK tax law typically requires keeping records for 6 years).

6. Transfers of Personal Information Outside the UK
We may store and process your information through third-party hosting services in the US and other jurisdictions. As a result, we may transfer your personal information to a jurisdiction with different data protection and government surveillance laws than your jurisdiction. We rely on UK/EU "Adequacy Decisions" or "Standard Contractual Clauses" as the legal basis for these transfers.

7. Your Rights
If you reside in certain territories, including the UK and the EU, you have a number of rights in relation to your personal information:

Access: You may have the right to access and receive a copy of the personal information we hold about you by contacting us using the contact information below.

Change, Restrict, Delete: You may also have rights to change, restrict our use of, or delete your personal information. Absent exceptional circumstances (like where we are required to store data for legal reasons), we will generally delete your personal information upon request.

Complain: If you reside in the UK and wish to raise a concern about our use of your information, you have the right to do so with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

8. Contact Us
For purposes of the UK GDPR/Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, Alexander Porter is the data controller of your personal information. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact us at:
Email: mail@alexanderdavidfinebooks.co.uk
Address: 18 bowyers Close, Ashtead, Aurrey, KT21 1LF