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Not-quite-sure sellers had big paydays in February when a whirlwind of Narcotics Anonymous, Pink Floyd, and Tolkien dominated the charts. Other sellers presented more traditional auctions with detailed descriptions and clear photographs. The highest price of $19,999 went for a venerable financial title - Security Analysis,
by Graham and Dodd. The auction includes a comment from a questioner, noting the existence of a
maroon bound Security Analysis issue as an alternate first edition/first printing binding
to the black one being sold. Citing the 1934 Books in Print as the source, the writer mentions
researching the issue further with several rare book dealers and with McGraw-Hill, the publisher.
The seller responded with thanks, adding, "I researched the internet which turned out to be
surprisingly deficeint [sic] in information."
#1
The US seller with 56 feedback included significant detail and 8 clear pictures in the auction that
started at $2,500. Both books are first editions signed by both author and illustrator.
The Dark Tower is described as #487 of 500; The Dark Tower II is #567 of 850 copies, "800 of which were for sale." Described as in mint condition and in individual "hard book box and a paper dust cover," the seller added that the bottom right corners of one book had been bumped. Fifteen bids took the auction to $5,301.01.
#2
The first edition, first printing, first issues of the "COMPLETELY ORIGINAL & UNRESTORED"
set was thoroughly described with details about all 3 volumes. Flaws were minimal and included
light scuffing, mild darkening, dulling to gilt, and tiny scratches. Special note was taken of
The Return of the King, which the UK seller describes as "...the
RARE First Edition FIRST ISSUE with all the issue points on page 49 ie, the signature mark '4'
and the type sagging slightly in the middle of text." All 3 volumes include a folded map.
After 8 bids, the price rose from GBP 15.00 to $4,119.79.
#3
Another UK seller offered this set of first editions, first printings, first issues. The set had cover wear, particularly to volume 1. Other flaws include previous owner's name in 2 volumes and an inscription in the 3rd volume. The same point cited in #2 is mentioned. This set came in around $187 lower than #2, included 14 photos, and attracted 7 bids.
#4
A lurid paperback cover with the blonde clutched against a threatening man, a famous author writing
under a pseudonym, and Junkie for a title. What's not to like? Apparently 35 bidders were strongly attracted to this first UK edition. So what "the pages are loose from the cover?" The UK sellers confesses, "I'm not a book collector/dealer" and promises to answer questions. In response, he notes a "big block of loose pages" along with some others, a penciled price, initials inside, and small spine split. All pages are present, though, and a picture of the spine was added. Bought by the seller because "the cover was amazing," the book sold for $2,716.30.
#5
The 1939 book in original dust jacket is an association copy from the library of Brian Lumley. Listed by a UK bookseller, the book is described as "GOOD and tight (with no bumped corners) in a FINE to MINT dust wrapper apart of a half inch tear ...." It's 1 of 1268 copies published 2 years after Lovecraft's death. A note indicates the seller is the Lumley's wife Silky. The book, illustrated with 5 photos, went from a starting price of GBP 12.20 to $2,051.13.
#6
With clarity and preciseness, a UK seller listed this true 1st edition hardback in dust jacket. Noting it has been "carefully shelf-stored," the seller details minor flaws including "pages yellowed toward edges. Ends of spine have slight fading." Both the book and dust jacket are described as near fine. 6 photos illustrate the auction. The starting price was GBP 50.00. After 11 bids, the reserve was met and the book sold for $1,815.71.
#7
Attracting 34 bids, the true first edition, first impression James Bond book is listed in very good condition with a near fine dust jacket. Minor flaws are noted and the absence of typical flaws is emphasized. 6 photographs are included in the listing. The book started at GBP 0.99 and ended at $1,740.10.
#8
Blyton's 1942 action adventure is graded very good with a dust jacket that "has some eccentric repair work done with cotton stitching," as well as some done with archival tape. The sole photo shows the dust jacket. The auction ended with a BIN of $1,709.27.
#9
Calling it "a rare TRUE MAY 1936 FIRST 1ST ISSUE FIRST EDITION," the seller notes it comes with a very good second issue dust jacket. A signature of Margaret Mitchell is laid in. Described as in very good condition, the book has minor flaws that include a small tear near the spine. 24 bids took it to $1,525.
#10
Another UK seller rounds out the fiction top 10 with a 1984 UK true first, signed, mint condition copy
of Legend. The seller notes, "You will never find another copy of this book in this condition. I garuntee [sic] it!" Shown in 5 photos, the book is described as one of 750 copies printed. After 2 bids, the auction rose from its starting bid of GBP 200.00 to meet reserve and sell for $1,479.09.
Originally published in 1934, discussions of this book don't go far before someone mentions
Warren Buffett's praise for the work; Graham was his mentor at Columbia.
And in the case of February sales, Security Analysis proved a $19,999.99 financial windfall
for one seller. Though 3 bids are listed, they took place at the same moment, so there was only
1 bid at the starting price. Listed in very good condition, its one previous owner was an anti-trust
attorney. The seller details flaws from the small black dots on pages 91 and 92 to the light water
stain atop 200+ pages. 12 photos illustrated the auction.
Fourteen bids took this signed set from a starting price of GBP 100.00 to $5,883.40, meeting the reserve. The UK seller notes that a Churchill expert has authenticated the signatures and illustrated the auction with 10 photos.
This first edition, first printing of 1939 is one of 4730 published in the first printing.
Bound in red, "the book's binding has separated from the pages." Flaws include stains,
lack of a dust jacket, and several ripped and taped areas. The seller notes the presence of the first
printing indicator - "the flaw in the printing on page 234, the second and third lines from the
bottom were printed twice." The 8 photos clearly show the wear and rough edges. Despite the flaws,
this auction attracted 20 bids, taking it from the $9.99 starting price to meet the reserve and sell
for $4,321.71.
In 24 words, the UK seller polished off the book description and depended on 6 photographs. After 18 bids starting at GBP 0.99, the book sold for $3,819.52.
Signed by Syd Barrett and Mick Rock, this book is #272 of 320 deluxe copies. Describing the book and slipcase in mint condition, the UK seller shows this Genesis publication in 2 photos. The UK seller started the auction at GBP 1,200. After 6 bids, it sold for $2,940.77.
In listing the 1982 first edition, the U.S. seller with 9 feedbacks provides little description beyond calling the book rare and indicating it is #1272. Bidders best information comes from the 3 clear photographs. The auction attracted 19 bids, taking it from a $1 starting price to $2,226.
A Genesis publication, this limited edition book comes with all the trademark excesses that make the publisher a regular on the Top 10 list. In this case, a goatskin hand-bound book is accompanied by two signed fine art prints, backstage pass, t-shirt, wooly hat, drumsticks and a few other treats. Published in a boxed set that holds all the items. 1 of 500, the work was shown in 3 photos. A German seller with private feedback opened the auction with a GBP 1.00 starting price. After 25 bids, it closed at $2,039.40.
#8 tie offered a copy in excellent condition with light highlighting and no other marks. It contains the unusual comment, "If anyone can prove this is incorrect information, please contact me immediately. I am relatively certain this is the first edition. I have researched on the net, but can't find a photo." Sold by the seller with the lowest feedback percentage in the Top 10 February lists (98.8%), the book is shown in only 1 picture. Six questioners offered their opinions, including the comment, "... are accually rared [sic] to find." Twenty-two bids were received, taking the auction from a $1.99 starting price to $2,024.99. The winning bidder bought #9 two days later, paying the same closing price.
#8 tie was listed by a consignment shop. The seller notes "It is a RED 1st First Limited Edition. 1983.... This is a very low number #832." Shown in three photos, the book is listed in Item Specifics as "new." That's the only indication of condition. After receiving 14 bids, the book sold for the buyer of #8 for $2,024.99. Starting price was $.99.
#10 was sold by the same consignment shop, using the same auction title. This is #1665 and it too is listed as new. The auction included 2 photos. In both the prevous entry and #10, the consignment shop calls the item "a very rare book." That's quite a stretch when 4 copies turn up on the eBay Top 10 list in a single month.
11 of the sellers were from the UK
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