ABE just sent me a listing of “Signed Books from Superstars of Modern Literature,” and there are some jaw-droppers on the list. The champion has to be a limited edition run of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, bound in an asbesto-derived material called quinterra and signed by the author — a mere $18,500 for a bibliophile with money, well, burning a hole in his pocket.
Of course, Bradbury’s in a class by himself, but how did Nick Hornby get to be such a hot commodity? I mean, $1,375 for a signed copy of Fever Pitch? And lookee here — a special signed edition of No Country for Old Men going for $7,500. Nothing like an Oscar to boost collectibility.
Now seems as good a time as any tio remind people I’ll be selling and signing copies of my first book at the Collingswood Book Festival in October. I’m not suggesting that copies of The Last Three Miles will be selling for thousands of dollars someday, but hey — you never know.
Tags: Collectible books, first editions
June 23, 2008 at 1:08 pm
ABE lists books at those prices…but do they sell? Bet you’d find cheaper copies elsewhere (other shops on ABE even).
I just “scored” a signed copy of “Psychological Warfare” by Paul M.A. Linebarger (”Cordwainer Smith”). The seller sent me a ABE listing that had a ex-library book in poorish condition for $1,300. I can assure you I spend significantly less than that on my nice, non-ex-library, signed copy!!!!