by Pamela Palmer

#142, 1 March 2010

Which fiction and non-fiction books are winners on eBay? Each month this series answers the question and, along the way, looks at the listing strategies sellers use to bring in big bucks. To learn more about what's in and what's out of the lists, read our Top 10 on eBay Parameters.

NOTE: Items numbers are now included in this article. They are in the individual auction comments section below the author and title. Click the links to see the listings.

Long-time readers of BookThink's Top 10 on eBay have seen the Taschen publication Sumo, by Helmut Newton, command high prices on a regular basis. Wonder how the new printing will impact the price? Taschen.com has announced the 10th Anniversary Edition, writing, "[It] shares the same DNA as the original record-breaking Limited Edition...." Now you can own a copy for just $150.

If you have waited endlessly for a first bid on a high-end book, you may have sympathy for one January top 10 seller's approach. The seller laid it on the line: if The Wizard of Oz didn't get a bid by the target date, the seller would change from a $6,900 auction starting price to a fixed price listing at $10,000 with best offer option. Read the Antiquarian and Collectible Top 5 for the result.

eBay
Fiction Top 10
January 2010

#1 $2,532.00 Child of God by Cormac McCarthy First Edition-Author
#2 $2,500.00 AYN RAND ATLAS SHRUGGED FIRST EDITION 1ST PRINTING 1957
#3 $2,100.00 1st ed THE LITTLE PRINCE in DJ 1943 Saint-Exupery
#4 $1,750.00 Stephen King- Carrie True US 1st Edition F/F "Signed"
#5 $1,687.62 1863 MOBY DICK HERMAN MELVILLE EARLY AMERICAN EDITION
#6 $1,425.00 The Stand by Stephen King Limited Edition
#7 $1,224.90 THE SHINING - Stephen King - SIGNED First Edition!
#8 $1,200.00 ARTISTS INSPIRED BY H P LOVECRAFT DELUXE EDITION #27/50
#9 tie $1,025.00 C.S. LEWIS UNCORRECTED PROOF - OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET
#9 tie $1,025.00 Signed 1st Printing TWILIGHT Stephenie Meyer & Poster

#1
Child of God
Cormac McCarthy
190366714640

The signed 1st edition in the original dust jacket, attracted 23 bids bids before selling for $2,532.

#2
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
130356472301

A Canadian seller sold this 1st edition, 1st printing of Ayn Rand's 1957 title. It was listed as like new in a "fine original DJ."

#3
The Little Prince
Antoine de St. Exupery
190366155792

Sold as a Best Offer, the 1943 first edition in dust jacket went for $2,100.

#4
Carrie
Stephen King
190364949572

The signed hardcover in dust jacket sold on a single bid.

#5
Moby Dick
Herman Melville
110480366838

24 bids took the 1863 good condition hardcover to $1,687.62. The "not a book seller" who bought the book to read got a quick education in terms such as "pastedown" and "free endpaper" in the process of the auction.

#6
The Stand
Stephen King
300381019404

The "limited edition leather coffin box signed Stephen King" drew 23 bids to sell for $1,425. It was described as in "brand new condition.

#7 tie
The Shining
Stephen King
170427536268

Listed in "near fine to fine condition," the hardcover and dust jacket was signed by King.

#8
A Lovecraft Retrospective
Artists Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft
Stuart Gordon and others
260541570676

Weighing in at a hefty 25 lbs., the 3 book combo contains the signatures of most contributors. Listed in "brand new" condition, it sold as a BIN.

#9 tie
Out of the Silent Planet

uncorrected proof C.S. Lewis
190362266711

21 bids took this 1938 acceptable condition uncorrected proof to $1,025. The Canadian seller noted, "This premier version is the first of C.S. Lewis' books to be published."

#9 tie
Twilight
220541699842

Another Canadian seller listed this signed 1st edition plus poster. After 47 bids, it sold for $1,025.
 

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