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Alcoholics Anonymous early editions dominated December sales by holding positions 1 through 6 on the non-fiction list. One seller led the way with four sales but not without difficulty. Two of the sales were relistings due to a non-paying buyer who defaulted on both auctions. In the fiction category, Rowling authored four, including a nearly $18,000 sale of a signed Japanese printing.
#1
"How cool is this book?" wrote Rowling as she signed the "True Japanese 1st Printing Hardback" (2000). The UK seller notes, "Japanese books run back to front and this contains illustrations as well as full Japanese text throughout." Listed in fine, as new condition, unread, 3 pictures show the cover, the text, and the signature. The book sold as a BIN on the 9th day. The same seller listed #3 below.
#2
Selling on 14 bids that raised it from its starting price of GBP 0.01 to $5,441.74, Dr. No is listed as the UK hardback, first edition, first impression, very good in very good+ unclipped dust jacket and without the dancing girl on the boards. It is "signed and inscribed by Ian Fleming" to Andrew J. Young. Listed for 10 days by a UK seller, the auction included 6 pictures.
#3
This set of 5 first printing paperbacks contains details for each, including the number line
and points. Calling the copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone the "rarest of the bunch," the UK seller describes it as unread, a true first, credited to Joanna Rowling with the printing error of ThomasTaylor1997, and other points. All five books are rated as fine and shown in 4 pictures. The set sold on a BIN for $4,211.06, listed by the same seller as #1.
#4
Proclaiming he is not a professional, this UK seller used 12 photographs to illustrate the 10-day auction with a reserve. The book is described as price clipped with a stained and yellowed dust jacket. A small stain on the front board and handwritten price inside are the flaws mentioned. Started at GBP 100, the book sold for $3,560.69.
#5
Listed by the UK seller as "apparently one of only 500 true 1st editions," the auction with reserve garnered 3 bids, before selling as a BIN. It started at GBP 4.99 and sold for $2,633.10. Listed with 4 pictures, the book is described as very good with "bumping and creasing to edges, yellowing to page edges."
#6
The UK seller obviously believed only 1 picture was necessary to sell this "First Edition, Special Issue Limited Edition. One of 324 numbered copies printed on handmade paper and signed by Aldous Huxley to the limitation page." What's more unusual is the picture shows only the signed page. Buyers are left to imagine the cover from the brief description that includes the condition as "really super." The book sold as a BIN in around 6 hours.
#7
Purchased with a BIN thirty minutes after listed, this first edition, second printing is accompanied by a letter signed by Fitzgerald. It sold at the starting price of $2,400. The book is described as "from the collection of John Lineweaver" with the name Mary H.W. Lineweaver in ink; the letter is not to either Lineweaver. Described as very good, the book has wear, slightly faded gilt lettering, and bumped corners. Five pictures illustrate the book and the letter.
#8
Seventeen bids took this UK seller's first edition, first printing from the opening price of GBP 0.01 to the selling price of $2,136.26. The book was signed by the author on the title page at the Oxford Literary Festival, as well as on a "hand signed 'raven' bookplate." The seller describes only minor flaws to the book and dust jacket, as shown in the 9 photographs.
#9
Selling in a school charity auction, the new signed first edition came with a letter of authenticity showing Rowling donated it to the school. The UK seller listed it for five days with a reserve and included 3 photographs. Questions came in, asking for the school's phone number. Another questioner wanted a copy of the letter sent to Rowling requesting a book, as well as the one from Rowling's PA. The seller directed him to the school's web site which includes a copy of the original request. In all, three questioners honed in on verifying the book was as indicated in the auction. By the end of the auction, 26 bids took it from a GBP 5.00 starting bid to $1,980.06.
#10
Questioners focused on the item specifics that indicated the book was in Dutch. A mistake there, replied the UK seller, assuring them it was in English. Listed as "a fine copy .... first printing of the first edition" with a fine dj, the book met the reserve and sold with 22 bids in a 7-day auction that included 7 photographs. The starting bid was GBP 100.
#1
Relisted after a non-paying bidder, this 1st edition, 1st printing 1939 red book came in atop
the non-fiction list. One of 4650, this book is described as exceptional with few flaws that
include a letter P on the spine and small tears on 17 pages. The auction included 8 photos
and attracted 24 bids, raising the starting bid of $99.99 to the selling price of $5,999 in a
7-day auction with reserve. The same seller listed #2, 4, and 6 - all copies of Alcoholics Anonymous.
This copy of Alcoholics Anonymous is a 1st edition, 7th printing of 1945. The seller calls it
"the hardest to find" and describes its only fault as minor cover wear. In a 3-day listing
with reserve and 7 photos, the auction received 14 bids, starting at $99.99 and selling for $5,388.88.
The same seller listed #1, 4, and 6.
A different seller listed this 1st edition, 1st printing of the 1939 red book in a 5-day auction with reserve. Described as ex-library, "slightly cocked and front cover a bit loose, still fine appearing overall," the book contains duplicate pages 71-86. Starting at $1,000, it sold at $3,850 with 16 bids. Seven photos illustrated the auction.
The seller of #1, 2, and 6, sold this 2nd edition, 1st printing on a relist after a non-paying buyer. Signed by Bill W, the 7-day auction with reserve attracted 17 bids, starting at $99.99 and selling at $2,500; 5 photos show the volume. In "excellent condition with chipping and minor tears on the edge to the dustjacket," it also has a tear on the title page and some underlining.
Yet another seller listed this 1st edition, 6th printing copy in a 5-day auction starting at $99. Twenty-one bids lead to a selling price of $1,796.71. Described as in "great condition ... excellent condition," flaws include page yellowing, a small spot inside, and a previous owner's name with the name of his sponsor and meeting information. Six photos are included.
The seller of #1, 2, and 4 sold this 1st edition, 3rd printing with dust jacket. The book is in good condition with dust jacket chipping. Water damage is apparent on the cover primarily. Shown in 9 photos, the book was listed in a 3-day auction with reserve. After 9 bids starting at $99.99, it sold for $1,736.11.
A restored 1599 Geneva Bible containing the original pages attracted 44 bids in a 7-day auction, taking it from a $4.99 starting bid to $1,600. Eleven pictures illustrate the hefty volume.
This reprint of the 1910 "Wasmuth" folio dates from 1963, part of 2500 copies. This is copy 17a. Containing 100 loose plates in portfolio, it is described as without flaw. Shown in 8 photos, it sold on a BIN for $1,500.
In a tie for #8, a deluxe limited edition #1297 of 2000 sold on a BIN. Listed with 12 photos, the auction includes the book described as in excellent condition, the wooden box created for this edition, along with 6 tapes of Reagan speaking.
"Boxed, unopened, and in mint collector's condition" is the UK seller's description of #990 in the run. Listed for 5 days, the auction started at GBP 500 and sold on 10 bids for $1,409.42. Five photos illustrate the item.
50% of the sellers were from the UK
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