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NOTE: For item numbers of auctions featured in Top 10, subscribe to our free email list by writing
Editor Craig Stark at
editor@bookthink.com.
Fleming, Tolkien, Pullman, King, and Rowling regularly dominate the Top 10 Fiction list and this month is no exception. The Non-Fiction list, though, could scarcely be more varied. From the 1794 American atlas to a German book on Constantinople and a look at early Los Angeles, the list has something for everyone - including fans of carp fishing, the Civil War, Muhammad Ali, U2, Scientology, Nelson Mandela, and Helmets of the Deep.
#1
All the stir about Daniel Craig in Casino Royale likely brought this James Bond 1st UK edition into an eBay auction. Even though the UK seller noted a facsimile jacket, the listing attracted the right person who bought the book as a BIN.
#2
Another copy of Casino Royale came in at #2. This 1st edition, 1st impression is missing its dust jacket and the UK seller mentions the "chance that the endpapers may have been replaced." Signed by the "co designer Kenneth Lewis to the front endpaper," the book is rated a very good/very good+ copy. It sold as a BIN by the seller of #4.
#3
Listed by a UK seller in a 7-day auction with 3 photos, this 1st edition/1st impression set drew 9 bids to close at $3,410.50, well above the starting bid of GBP 400.00. The flaws are described in detail - ex-library indicated by only a single stamp per volume, rubbed and faded dust jackets with a pasted-on dj in one case, and tape reinforcement on two volumes.
#4
This Casino Royale is a 2nd impression in the original dj. Described as in fine condition with a very near fine dust jacket, the book was listed by a UK seller in a 10-day auction with 9 photos. After 19 bids, the book sold at $3,293.63. The seller also sold #2.
#5
Signed by Pullman with his then cover name of Philip N. Pullman, this copy was dedicated to Roy, a colleague at Charing Cross Library who died recently. Sold by a friend of Roy, the dust jacket was kept fresh by its plastic cover. The flaw mentioned is "strong tanning on page 9." Listed by a UK seller with 5 photos, it sold at the Best Offer price of $2,661.54.
#6
Described as in near mint condition with the original dust jacket, this hardback was signed by King and Whelan, the illustrator. Listed by a US seller in a 7-day auction with 5 photos, the starting bid of $500 grew to $2,550 after 13 bids.
#7*
The original hardcover edition of a cult SF novel, this book was listed by a US seller who was the victim of a non-paying buyer who is now "not a registered user."
#8
Listed by a UK seller as a paperback copy for the first edition, the book received 35 bids during its 7-day run. Starting at GBP 19.90, it sold for $2,413.84. The seller differentiates this edition from the earlier proof copy.
#9
In this unusual auction, the US seller offers confidential information to the buyer - along with the books of course. The books are each #533 of "signed, limited, slipcased, still in the publishers shrinkwrap." The information is in two parts. First, the seller will divulge the name of the bookseller who can sell Books 2-4. It's his speculation that both this set and the unnamed seller's set together cost app. $6,000. The second item of information to the buyer is labeled part rumor and deals with the forthcoming new signed and numbered limited edition of The Gunslinger; seems King collectors are interested in the starting number. As a near aside, the seller mentions the books at auction are "in new condition in publishers shrinkwrap." The books sold as BIN for $2,300.
#10
Given as a present from Viscount David Linley to the consigner, the auction includes Viscount Linley's letter that accompanied the gift. All three books were signed by Rowling. Two are 1st editions and the other "is very special because only 1000 copies were published by Bloomsbury with the misprint of Joanna Rowling ... on the copyright page." Listed by a US seller in a 10-day auction with app. 30 photos, the set attracted 19 bids, raising the starting price of $9.99 to $2,126.01.
*Auctions marked with an asterisk indicate those won by a bidder who is no longer a registered user. The final value should not be
interpreted as valid.
Published in 1794, this ex-library quarto size volume has a tight binding, clean pages, and "some foxing and staining." Graded good by the UK seller who listed it in a 10-day auction with 12 photos, the book "contains the first separately printed map of the state of North Carolina ... very scarce." Three bids took it from the GBP 999.99 starting bid to sell for $8,154.08.
The recent publication date didn't keep this 1988 volume from attracting lots of attention. In the end, 55 bids raised its price to $3,301.99. Listed by a US seller in a 7-day auction with 4 photos, the book contains photos of diving helmets. It is signed by the author as "Presentation edition, 850 of 900."
As the UK seller explains, this 1912 set is "two large folio volumes of plates and one large
folio volume of text to accompany the plates." It contains photos of "buildings of great importance in Constantinople." Written in German, it is ex-library with some pages bound in the wrong order and some scuffing and tears. The set attracted 22 bids to the 10-day auction with app. 28 photos, taking it from the GBP 1.99 starting bid to sell for $2,914.85.
Published by the U.S. Government Printing Office between 1891 and 1895, this 2-volume ex-library set is folio size with quarter calf binding. Tight and clean, it has rubbing and a detached front board on volume 2. Five bids took the 10-day auction with 12 photos from the GBP 749.99 starting bid to sell for $2,878.04.
Though tattered, torn, and soiled, this 1876 booklet drew 6 bids to sell for $2,808.00. Listed by a US seller in a 7-day auction with 13 photos, the pamphlet saw better days back when "irrigated land is sold at prices running from $600.00 to $900.00 and [sic] acre. Non irrigated land was going for $80.00 or less per acre." Sold as it, the seller sagely notes, "... the book has to be cleaned."
Called "one of the very rarest Carp leatherbounds," the 1989 limited edition volume in a slipcase was listed by a seller from the Netherlands in a 7-day auction with 6 photos. The seller is unsure if the binding is leather or artificial. After 14 bids, the book sold for $2,319.34.
A 1st edition in "very fine shape," Hubbard's book has "some ware on the cover and binding." Listed by a US seller with no feedback in a 7-day auction with 2 photos, the book received 2 bids and sold for $2,136.00.
Easton's Press limited edition signed "collector's copy" was sold by a US seller in a 10-day auction with 2 photos. A single bid led to the sale at $1,999.
Tied for #9, the Taschen publication weighs 75 lbs. and is one of 10,000 published. The book was listed by a UK seller, attracted 28 bids and sold for $1,911.99.
11 of the sellers were from the UK
*Auctions marked with an asterisk indicate those won by a bidder who is no longer a registered user. The final value should not be
interpreted as valid.
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