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The nine months since we launched the first BookThink's Top 10 on eBay have seen changes … and
more changes. Now when something looks different, it's old news fast. For those of you keeping
count, though, here is a short list of some of them.
Starting date and starting bid disappeared from ready view. To find them now, click the
"Listing and payment details: Show" button above item specifics. It's easy to miss; I did for
quite a while.
So far, no "best price" has reached the
top 10 lists, but last month, one came close. In March, no reserve price books made the lists.
Whether this is fluke or missing information only time will tell.
What's left? The most intriguing data, that's what - selling price, number of bids, BIN (and maybe reserve), auction title, description of the item, seller feedback score/percentage and country remain. Add that all of us have the potential to make the lists - even relative newcomers. After all, four of March's top sellers got there with fewer than 20 feedbacks.
#1
"Bound in grey Moroccan leather with art work - original brass plates included," this set consists of first impressions of each title. Described as in excellent condition and pictured in 7 photos, the volumes contain the original maps. The UK seller purchased the books from Dominic Winter and, in response to questions, notes having the original receipt. Other responses indicate these are the original covers with plain endpapers. The set sold for $6,630.24.
#2
Signed by Tolkien and with a strong provenance, this 3-volume set is composed of later printings of the first editions, 1961. The volumes have only minor flaws and are shown in 5 photos. Listed by a UK seller, it sold for $6,327.63 after 9 bids.
#3
The same set comes in at #3. First printings, first editions, these have been rebound in "full red morocco…The quality and design of the binding is simply superb incorporating Tolkien's line drawing of 'The Gates of Moria' stamped in gilt across the three individual spines." The books have gilt edges and come in a slipcase. Condition is fine. Offered by yet another UK seller and shown in 10 photos, the set attracted 22 bids and sold for $5,621.44.
#4
The UK seller auctioning this Genesis book notes it was signed by Nick Mason, is #180 of 500 published, and comes with a "Deluxe Leather Box of Delights." The book in unread and the delights include drumsticks, a backstage pass, postcards and more. Shown in 1 photo, the auction attracted 1 bid and sold for $3,968.88
#5
Stoutly declaring these are not ex-library, the UK seller with a long track record in the fiction Top
10, notes these are all 1st edition, 1st printings. Flaws are described in detail, including "the
slightest hint of sunning to the spine edge" of Northern Lights and similar minor flaws. Clearly shown in 10 photos, the auction received 28 bids and ended at $2,617.20.
#6 tie
Offered by a US seller, the "special tenth anniversary edition is limited to two thousand copies signed by the author…." This is #1160 and comes in a slipcase. Minor flaws are detailed - a scuff on the binding, light rubbing - and show in 9 photos. A single bid ended the auction at $2500.
#6 tie
Signed by the golden Bond girl Shirley Eaton, this first edition, first printing is very good in a very good dust jacket. It was sold by a US seller as BIN for $2500.
#6 tie
Traditional literature makes an occasional appearance on the top 10 fiction list, this time with a
collection of Frost's poetry. The US seller describes it as "First Edition, Second Issue,
Binding B for American Publication," Published in 1914, it is 1 of 150 copies "published
on February 20 1915 by Henry Holt and Company on sets of the original printed sheets imported from
England." In very good condition, the seller notes that the Author Price Guide for Robert Frost
indicates this edition, printing, and binding are valued at $2500 - and that turned out to be the exact selling price
#9
As the story goes, "In early 1991 Phil Parks, the illustrator, was going to release a small limited edition of these 5 titles." Other things got in the way and this was the only completed set. Each book has an original illustration. A letter from Parks is included in the slipcase. The 5 books are described as "first edition and are in fine condition." The auction contained 9 photos and attracted 5 bids, taking it to $2,125.
#10
Forty bids led to the $1,967.50 selling price of this first edition, first printing fine hardcover in unclipped and unfaded jacket. The UK seller included 6 photos of the book published in England by Hart-Davis. Condition is described as "Awesome."
A personal connection with Ed Ruscha meant the seller received 2 copies of each of Ruscha's books.
In March, 3 from this US seller made the top 10 as #1, #2, and #5. This first run printing, listed
with 1 photo, attracted 43 bids and sold for $9,889.98. Questions covered dust jacket (no dj) and
book contents.
The second Ruscha book received 31 bids and sold for $5,158.99. The same seller as #1 and #5 listed this first run copy without DJ.
Signatures, thought to be those of Achad Parzival and Crowley, add interest to the 1916 booklet now loose pages. 7 photos illustrate the auction and provide information on the levels within the group. After 17 bids, the item sold for $5,100.
This is #7862 of 10,000 copies of Sumo; it is signed and numbered by Newton. The unopened 66 lb. book is in original packaging, and a display device is included. The auction featured 9 photos and closed with a BIN of $4,362.
Sold by the seller of #1 and #2, this first run book attracted 14 bids and sold for $4,102.99. As with the others from the seller, only 1 photo illustrated the auction.
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 limited deluxe 2-volume set is #131 of the 250 numbered copies. George Harrison's initials are on a special bookplate. Included in the set are 2 prints, 1 by each of the authors. Still unopened, it is described as "Brand New Mint." The set is quarter bound in black silk and housed in a lithographed solander box with metal name plate. After 37 bids, the auction reached the selling price of $3,623.76.
Offered by US seller, the auction with 3 photos attracted 6 bids and closed at $2,950 for the 1946 signed and inscribed first edition. The dust jacket, in mylar, is price clipped. Flaws listed include light wear and dj chips, bumped corners. Pages are clean and unmarked. One of the 3 photos shows what appears to be a label on the dj spine, No mention is made of it being ex-library, so what seems to be a label may be a feature of the dj itself. Questions focus on the signature (undamaged) and its authenticity (no direct evidence).
9 of the sellers were from the UK
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