The strange fetish for first editions

Archive: Used Bookdealer

A look at the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers congress in Melbourne.

How can any old book be worth nearly half-a-million dollars when the same thing brand spanking new is sitting on the paperback classics shelf for less than $30? Why were first editions of John Fowles, author of The Magus, worth a bomb a few years ago whereas now, says rare book dealer Rick Gekoski, “you can barely give them away”.

A rare world

Richard Evans Lee • October 08, 2004 • Reader, what do you think?
Prior: Customers who aren't customersNext: Another used book site closes

Comments:

Feel free to share your feelings about The strange fetish for first editions. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted.

This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.

My thanks,
Richard


















Email this entry to:


Your email address:


Message (optional):