We try to adhere to the highest standards when describing the condition of a book. Thus when we say a book is "Fine" we mean it is virtually indistinguishable from new. Very few books are truly "Fine", so we hardly ever use the term. If we say "VG" (Very Good) we mean that the book is almost like new: it might have just a hint of superficial wear but any flaws (such as chips in the dustwrapper or such like) will be noted separately. G. (Good) means "a good secondhand copy - obviously used but complete (unless otherwise noted) and with any major flaws listed. All our books are guaranteed to be as described - you can buy from us with confidence!

Please use the search facilities provided and proceed to the secure ordering form. If you have any questions, we will reply to your Email as soon as possible. We will confirm  availability, the cost of postage and any other information as requested. Please advise your mailing address so that we can quote pack and post appropriately. Books are sent in purpose-made protective cardboard mailers.

Customers within Australia: Unless you specifically request that it be sent registered or insured, books ordered from within Australia are sent by standard Australia Post parcel service. The usual charge for a book (or books) weighing up to 3 kilograms is AUD $13.00 including packaging. For orders weighing more than 3 kilograms, or where registration, insurance, express post, or such like is required, total pack and post will be quoted.

Customers outside Australia: On receiving your inquiry we will weigh the book [s] and send you an email outlining the postage costs. Books are sent sent Airmail at the cheapest possible price and will usually include Registered tracking. Surface mail, if available is usually more expensive and is therefore not used.

The easiest way to pay is credit card. Card details can either be sent through via the secure server linked to the shopping trolley on this site, or telephoned through during our business hours (12 Noon - 6.00pm Australian Eastern Standard or Summer time , as appropriate) 7 days a week. Your international access number plus 613 94160071. We do not accept overseas checks or Money Orders due to the high cost of Bank Exchange and Transaction fees, but if credit card is not an option it may be possible to arrange an alternative method of payment.

Your Privacy is Important to Us

The Basilisk Bookshop hereby undertakes that all customer details including Names, Credit Card numbers, Mailing Address, Billing Address, Email address and other personal data are used only for the purpose of the intended transaction and are not provided to any other person or entity.

Conditions of Sale

Books purchased may be returned to us within seven working days of their receipt for any reason for a full refund, less cost of postage, provided they are returned to us in the condition in which they were sent. If a book is being returned because its condition can reasonably be said to be other than described, we will also refund postage costs. Please notify us by telephone or Email if you intend to return a book for any reason.

Boards = The covers of a book. Usually made of cloth or paper covered cardboard.
B/w = Black and white.
Col. = Colour
Dec. = Decorated.
D/w = Dustwrapper (also called dustjacket). The decorated paper cover placed on a book to protect its boards from shelfwear.
Ep, Eps = Endpaper/s
Ex-lib. = A book that has been withdrawn from a library's holdings. As such it will usually have various onwership stamps, cancellation stamps, etc. and occassionally labels etc. affixed to Eps.
Facs.= Facsimile
Ffep = Front free end paper.
Ills. Illustrations - photographs drawings or other reproductions. In black and white only unless otherwise stated.
Lge. = Large
Insc. = Inscription.
ND = No Date - No year of publication given. Where possible an approximation of the year or period of publication will follow in square brackets.
np = No publication details. No details of publisher or place of publication given on Title Page.
o/w = otherwise.
Owner's name = Hand printed name or signature of a previous owner.
Pb. = Paperback. A Misnomer. The whole binding is actually paper or card. Also called "softcover."
Pd = Paste down
Rfep = Rear free end paper.
T.e.g. = Top edge gilt
Wraps. = Wrappers: The book is bound in paper covers.

For further details of these and other bibliographic terms see John Carter's ABC For Book Collectors.