The limited editions club began as a revolutionary concept in the book trade by the avid bibliophile george macy 19001956. Rare books for sale, buy antique books from alibris. I used to belong to the mystery guild book club and their editions were indeed smaller than the same title purchased from a store. Well, this section on mugglenet will explain all the intricacies associated with the rare harry potter books, from the first editions to the misprints and covers associated with each. A guide to collecting books by the limited editions club. A first printing of the first book club edition as opposed to, say, later sk library book club editions is a consolation prize. Ive heard some, though certainly not all book club editions.
A rare book can sell for a substantial amount of money but few novice collators know how to tell the difference between a nice old book and a valuable one. How to find the value of books the best thing to do if youre serious about finding out the value of your books to have a professional book appraiser or bookseller evaluate your. Identifying book club edition books a guide to identify. Since 1997, bookfinder has made it easy to find any book at the best price. Finally, some book clubs produce richly upgraded, limited editions which are collectible in their own right, and prices for these sometimes exceed prices for the corresponding first trade editions. Easton press, limited editions club, franklin library, book club of california all examples. In fact, some book club editions will have a blank box where the bar code normally goes. We also purchase from public and private libraries, and will evaluate or purchase house clearances in the area. The top 10 rare and pricey stephen king books litreactor. Charles babbage passages from the life of a philosopher. The dust jacket may be made of thinner or uncoated paper. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Whether you are looking for an individual book or a complete home library, we have an extensive inventory of classics, nonfiction, rare and unique bindings, as well as collections and sets that can be viewed by clicking on the subcategory icon.
For what its worth, since its inception in 1926, the bookofthemonth club continues to market and distribute books to this day. Easton press sells the worlds greatest books, bound in genuine leather and accented with 22kt gold. Sellers also like to refer to the thirteenth pearl as rare when it is found in the matte edition, but i see it for sale all the time. Buy classic leather bound books custom binding rare books. Identifying book club editions one girl collecting. Book clubs frequently neglect to remove edition indicators from the plates before printing their copies. My experience is most book club editions are worth far less. The limited editions club is famous for original illustrations by the best book illustrators and artists. This selection ranges from 1917 to 1969, and really is.
Between 1929 and 1985, 10 to 12 titles featuring 1,500 numbered copies each were published annually although the print run expanded to 2,000 numbered copies in later years. We have distinguished ourselves by having a reputation for handling unique and important books that are in exceptional condition. Sep 14, 2008 finally, some book clubs produce richly upgraded, limited editions which are collectible in their own right, and prices for these sometimes exceed prices for the corresponding first trade editions. A subscription is a magnificent gift for any booklover, or for yourself. Mar 28, 2017 the limited editions club, much as its title suggests, was a subscriptionbased book club intent on circulating limited edition copies of classic titles to its members.
New collectors are often trapped thinking that they have a first edition when they really have a bc copy. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed. The childrens picturebook price guide includes first edition identification points for twentynine of the books in the list click on the books title to see first edition identification points for a particular book. Picture is only an example of what the books look like. Demand too many comparable copies currently for sale may indicate a glut in the market. You may notice that some of the featured selections below have increased prices. First edition points to identify to kill a mockingbird by. Magnificent royal presentation copy of the first edition. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. Some book club editions are very difficult to identify as bces without the jacket, and in other cases the jacket illustration may be the only reason why a collector wants the book. Our extraordinary books are an elegant addition to any home or office, and make the perfect gift for christmas, birthdays, fathers day, mothers day or any.
See the image for an example using jean auels clan of the cave bear. First editions and signed copies are two cornerstones of book collecting, but, once you have delved into the world of used books, the golden rule is condition, condition, condition. Lot of 10 vintage old antique hardcover books mixed coloryeargenre you will recieve 10 antique books that are chosen at random. Bookclub editions are massproduced editions printed on paper that tends to be more inexpensive than the stock used to make the original book, and the bindings are also generally of lesser.
A book club copy will always be a book club copy, even though it states first edition. Book club editions for the most part see the end of this writeup for the exceptions are not of collectible value and cause a lot of confusion for many book collectors. There are major differences between the large book club groups, both in the physical quality of the books they distribute and in the manner in which they identify their books. The boards the book cover may be bound with thick paper instead of cloth. Founded in 1929 in new york city by george macy, the club consisted of a select group of book enthusiasts limited in number to 2,000. Due to its very limited numbers, in our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. Book club editions are the cubic zirconia of book collecting in the sense that they look like the real thing, but are essentially reproductions with very low collectible value. Links to websites to help you value, sell or find rare books.
The book boards are usually covered in paper, sometimes with a cloth spine. Any photographic illustrations in the original are either absent or reduced in number. Limited editions clubhighend, collectible, limited editions, often signed by an illustrator, sometimes by the author first edition libraryfacsimiles of great works first editions, issued in slipcases a cardboard case into which the book fits, leaving the spine exposed. George passed away in 1956 but his widow, helen, ran the company until the early 1970s when she retired and sold to boise cascade who sold the firm again. Hardcover book club editions may be a little smaller than a trade hardcover, and may feel lighter. Book club bc editions are not first editions and generally have little collectible value. Books clubs copies often appear to be first edition books but are often worthless. Book club editions book of the month clubs often use the same printing plates as the original publisher, right down to the words first edition on the printing history. Each book is a collector edition that is as magnificent to see as it is to read.
As the above definition makes clear, book club editions are reprints of books for a defined audience. Book geeks and bookniks whats the difference between a. Today, the limited editions club lec is an important part of the rare book business and the books are adored by collectors. In april 2004, a first edition copy sold at auction for a. The limited editions club, much as its title suggests, was a subscriptionbased book club intent on circulating limited edition copies of classic titles to its members. A book club edition bce or book of the month club edition bomc refers to a book printed by a book club with cheaper materials than the original publishing house, and is generally not worth much to the serious collector. Heres an article on the subject if youre really interested. When collecting fine print books, little can be said without mentioning one of the bestcherished names in collectible history.
Whether youre a budding rare book collector or a bibliophile with an evniable collection, discover an amazing selection of rare and collectible books from booksellers around the. Alibris is one of the premier rare and outofprint book sites on the internet. Feb 15, 2010 the limited editions club was a book club. If you cant find what you like please fill out our offline search form and we will search our offline inventory, other bookstores and book search services for you. In general, book club editions are more cheaply printed than the trade editions. How to find, buy, and sell used and rare books ellis, ian c. Explore thousands of old and rare books, including illuminated manuscripts, fine press editions, illustrated books, incunabula, limited editions and miniature books. Charles nordhoff editions club for sale antiquarian. If you just want the book to read it, a book club copy is fine. Used book stores colorado springs clausen books, book. As book club editions are typically not valuable, does that mean they are never collectible. The estimated values in the table are for first edition books with dust jackets.
Raptis rare books is an antiquarian book firm that specializes in fine first editions, signed and inscribed books, and landmark books in all fields. Editions club for sale antiquarian collectible books. Most book club editions, especially older ones, are smaller than publishers versions, and are easy to distinguish. Collecting book club editions book collectors librarything.
We base our pricing on the collectible book market and the quality and quantity of our holdings. We specialize in making it easier for you to get the books. Classic editions offers a wide variety of antiquarian and custom leather bound books that feature the works of the worlds greatest writers. The greenlight first editions club offers one collectible new book each month. Frequently asked questions what is a book club edition. I also agree that book club editions are not priced uniquely. One of these was the book ofthemonth club bomc, which differs from other book clubs by producing books of the same quality and design as the trade editions. In 1960, to kill a mockingbird was issued by at least four book clubs. Often printed on lesserquality paper or in a noticeably smaller trim size see image above. After everyone has received their first editions club selections, we may choose to sell the remaining books according to their collectible value. More recent book ofthemonth club editions are often about the same size as their publisher edition counterparts. We scoured our vast selection of vintage books for the most beautiful dust jackets, and soon discovered that selecting just 30 was a nearly impossible task.
First and only edition of the antarctic book, with the signatures of every member of the shore party, including shackleton. In most cases, books released through book ofthemonth club bomc are much nicer than book club editions bce released by the doubleday book clubs. I know, i know, in the book world the lec is considered a fine press and not a book club. New listingvintage 1941 whos who in minnesota hardcover book 1,239 pages. Book club editions frequently can drive very experienced dealers and collectors to distraction. Use the search box above to find fond treasures from your childhood or that one book that has escaped your collection thus far. Most book collectors steer clear of them with a few exceptions. Book club editions are sold to members at a good discount compared with the original issue price. End papers are those sheets of paper at the very front and back. Ray bradbury limited editions club fahrenheit 451 the lettered signed 1st 1982. We have thousands of rare and antique treasures brought to you by our network of trusted sellers from all around the world. Often it is a new setting and with cheaper paper and binding. We are always looking for first 1st edition books in hardback, we buy single books or large collections. Rare first edition, special limited large paper issue of shackletons fascinating account of the british antarctic expedition of 19071909, number 274 of only 300 copies printed.
The 1960s yellow spine book club editions with the blank back covers are also supposedly rare but they are just scarce. Many paperback originals pbos exist in hardcover only in a book club edition. Paperback book club editions are often a little larger than the trade paperbacks. Please search or browse our inventory of hard to find, out of print, used, and rare books. Nov 03, 2003 finally, some book clubs produce richly upgraded, limited editions which are collectible in their own right, and prices for these sometimes exceed prices for the corresponding first trade editions. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Book club editions are generally more cheaply made than publishers editions. A popular book is sometimes reissued under the imprint of a book club. Oct 14, 2011 book club editions are massproduced editions printed on paper that tends to be more inexpensive than the stock used to make the original book, and the bindings are also generally of lesser quality. The paper used for the pages is often thinner and of lesser quality than trade editions. Whether you want the cheapest reading copy or a specific collectible edition, with bookfinder, youll find just the right book. Fedpo first edition frequently asked questions book club. The science fiction book club in particular did a lot in its time to popularize and increase the readership of sciencefiction.
In most instances, the bookofthemonth club editions bomc are generally made with materials similar to their first edition counterparts and have no association with a given publisher. Easton press, limited editions club, franklin library, book club of california all venerable examples. Rare books, outofprint books online half price books. From 1929 to 1985, the limited editions club published 548 titles. Rare and valuable books old and not so old books worth. And, like many other myths about bookselling, there are exceptions.
Has every book imaginable, including many collectors rare editions abebooks specializes in rare books, great place to research book values mostly specializes in used textbooks if you are a student check. If you have any old, secondhand or rare books, then get in touch. A fine selection of camera work issues, including the very rare first issue. When you buy a hard cover book, protect the dust jacket with a clear, acidfree cover mylar, duralar, brodart and dont clip off the price.