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#1
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1st editions vs. collector editions
I am new to collecting so pardon my ignorance. I recently read that it may be more valuable in the long run to collect leather-bound collector book copies rather than 1st editions. I question this and ask for some statement by an authority about this. Thank you.
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#2
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1st editions vs. collector editions
On 2/23/2013 4:56 PM, JenniferJiselle wrote:
I am new to collecting so pardon my ignorance. I recently read that it may be more valuable in the long run to collect leather-bound collector book copies rather than 1st editions. I question this and ask for some statement by an authority about this. Thank you. Hi Jennifer, I don't know how much of an authority I am, but I am a long time serious collector, if that counts. In general, assuming that the book is collectible in the first place, a first trade edition is going to have more value than a leather bound collector's edition that is not a limited first edition, even if the latter is printed on acid-free paper and the trade first is not. Now, if the leather bound book is a limited first edition, then the values get closer and may tilt in favor of the leather limited first. If one of them is signed, that fact will certainly tip the scales in favor of that particular book. But probably a limited signed edition from the first edition publisher will be worth more than a limited signed leather bound first from a third party publisher. Let's look at an example: William Styron, Sophie's Choice. This was originally published by Random House in 1979. Franklin Library did a Limited First Edition in 1979, but it was not signed. [Note: Limited in the context of Franklin Library means limited to the number of persons who subscribed to their First Editions Library.] Random House did a (limited - 500 copies) Special Edition at the time of the Trade First that was prepared as a set of presentation copies, which had a signature page added and which was signed by Styron. Now search for Styron, Sophie's Choice, first edition, on www.abebooks.com (advanced search). You will find that the signed limited Special Edition from Random House has a much higher asking price than any other edition. Signed Trade First Editions from Random come next. The Franklin Library Limited First Editions follow and for the most part come ahead of the unsigned trade firsts. There is always some price overlap, of course, depending on various factors such as knowledge of the seller, seller's reputation, need of the seller to sell, or condition of the book. One more example: Joyce Carol Oates, Mysteries of Winterthurn (Dutton 1984) with a Signed Limited First Edition from the Franklin Library. Consult ABE Books again, and you will find that the signed trade firsts generally have a slightly higher asking price than the signed Franklins, but it is fairly close. As to leather bound books that are reprints, to have value they must be well made. Examine the weight of the paper, be sure it is acid-free or vellum or other high quality print surface. Look to the quality of illustrations and who made them. Examine the endpapers to see if they are of fine materials, e.g., silk moire. Does the binding use raised bands to hold the book together? Is the leather thinly stretched across the cover or is it plush and soft? Are the edges of the pages gilded? The Folio Society of England puts out a truly first class product (not leather) in a fine slipcase. E.g, Samuel Richardson, Clarissa (1991). But that edition will never be worth as much as any of the 18th century copies of the book. I hope this has been useful to you. Francis A. Miniter |
#3
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1st editions vs. collector editions
"JenniferJiselle" wrote in
message . .. I am new to collecting so pardon my ignorance. I recently read that it may be more valuable in the long run to collect leather-bound collector book copies rather than 1st editions. I question this and ask for some statement by an authority about this. Thank you. These are more like two markets than one. The first (common) consideration is that high relative price correlates with scarcity: i.e. a first edition that is one of 3,000 is probably more valuable than a first edition that is one of 20,000. Then the class of custom-bound editions overlaps with that of first trade editions, but only partly. Thirdly literary reputation (sometimes) affects price, e.g. a first edn. Scott Fitzgerald is worth more than a first edn. Warwick Deeping. But (fourthly) the commercial market is crazy in that an intact dust jacket can more than double the price. This is logical (#1, scarcity, above) but nevertheless crazy from any reader's point of view. -- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada) |
#4
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1st editions vs. collector editions
On 2/24/2013 1:37 PM, Don Phillipson wrote:
"JenniferJiselle" wrote in message . .. I am new to collecting so pardon my ignorance. I recently read that it may be more valuable in the long run to collect leather-bound collector book copies rather than 1st editions. I question this and ask for some statement by an authority about this. Thank you. These are more like two markets than one. The first (common) consideration is that high relative price correlates with scarcity: i.e. a first edition that is one of 3,000 is probably more valuable than a first edition that is one of 20,000. Then the class of custom-bound editions overlaps with that of first trade editions, but only partly. Thirdly literary reputation (sometimes) affects price, e.g. a first edn. Scott Fitzgerald is worth more than a first edn. Warwick Deeping. But (fourthly) the commercial market is crazy in that an intact dust jacket can more than double the price. This is logical (#1, scarcity, above) but nevertheless crazy from any reader's point of view. In fairness to the dust jacket concern, most people would pay a lot less for a classic car, say a 1963 Cadillac Eldorado, if it had all of its chrome removed. The car would not be a complete entity. The same for books without their dust jackets. They are not complete entities as originally sold. Francis A. Miniter |
#5
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A "reader" can pick up a paper back and be happy with it. A "collector" concerns himself with more than just reading a story.
Last edited by SpanishMill : February 26th 13 at 12:23 AM. |
#6
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1st editions vs. collector editions
On 2/25/2013 7:11 PM, SpanishMill wrote:
'Don Phillipson[_2_ Wrote: ;694711']"the commercial market is crazy in that an intact dust jacket can more than double the price. This is logical (#1, scarcity, above) but nevertheless crazy from any reader's point of view. A "reader" can pick up a paper back and be happy with it. A "collector" concerns himself with more than just reading a story. I am both a reader and a collector and I am not happy reading most paperbacks. First of all, mass market books often have print that is too small for comfortable reading. Trade papers often have covers that curl up from usage. I much prefer to read a hard cover. That said, there are some Philip Jose Farmer paperback firsts with the Boris Vallejo covers that I would love to have. Francis A. Miniter |
#7
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1st editions vs. collector editions
On Feb 24, 4:53*pm, "Francis A. Miniter"
wrote: In fairness to the dust jacket concern, most people would pay a lot less for a classic car, say a 1963 Cadillac Eldorado, if it had all of its chrome removed. *The car would not be a complete entity. *The same for books without their dust jackets. *They are not complete entities as originally sold. That's a great analogy. In line with other comments, of course one could drive it just as well without the chrome, if that were your only reason to own it... |
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