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Are the books just signed or addressed to someone? Also, what does the description "remainder marked" mean?
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Can you explain the anomaly of the signature on my book being located on a blank page after the front loose endpaper?
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The signature is without inscription. A remainder mark is just that - a mark to the page edges of a book. It is an indication of where the book is in the publishing "production cycle."
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On
various editions the publisher produces signed editions at the
warehouse for distribution to bookstores. These are frequently signed
on a blank page, added to the book at binding.
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Can you tell me how tall the true 1st printing of Booked to Die should be?
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I have a book on my hands that is stumping. What exactly do I have?
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A Norwood Press on the outside, a Berkley book on the inside. What do I have here sitting in front of me?
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What are your opinions on C.J. Box or any other authors you feel strongly about?
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What is the difference between a Novella and a Short Story?
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What are your opinions on C.J. Box or any other authors you feel strongly about?
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What is the difference between a Novella and a Short Story?
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When you charge me for shipping a single book, and it gets consolidated with other orders, how does that effect the cost?
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Which is the true 1st edition of Wool by Hugh Howey?
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I know I get a lot of shipments consolidated which saves on shipping. So, how does that work, when you charge me for shipping a single book, and it gets consolidated with my other orders?
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Which is the true 1st edition of Wool by Hugh Howey?
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Would a book's dust jacket change depending on its printings and editions?
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Was Clive Cussler's Blue Gold published in a hardcover edition?
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The edition designation is only available on the copyright page of the book. To ascertain if a book is a first edition, we recommend McBride’s Pocket Identification of Modern First editions, which will help you decode the indicators.
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Blue Gold (Clive Cussler with co-author Paul Kemprecos) was released by Penguin as an original paperback and as such, no standard hardcover edition was issued. However, two hardcovers...
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Where can I buy dust jacket covers and how thick should the covers be? Also, any suggestions on how to pack books that are going into storage?
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Does VJ Books sell ebooks and, if not, do you plan to sell them in the future?
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We prefer Gaylord (and have them on the Accessory link on the site) as they are clearer and brighter covers. 1.5 mil. should do fine (it's what we use). When storing your books...
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We have considered this . . . however, the deck is stacked against independent booksellers when it comes to selling ebooks. First, the ebook distributors exclude...
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Where do I find the total number of copies printed for a 1st edition book?
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How do I remove mold from my books and how can I prevent books from becoming moldy?
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You're not alone in having a hard time finding those answers; the info just isn't easily accessible. However, I have had occasional success finding...
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You will find excellent instructions on how to treat moldy books and how to prevent books from becoming moldy on Cornell University’s Library Preservation and...
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I recently received a book that had a "signed copy" sticker directly attached to the book's dust jacket instead of to the dust jacket's protective cover. Why didn't VJ Books remove the sticker before sending the book to me?
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How do I find author signing events in my state?
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Occasionally, publishers will put on the stickers while the lacquer on the jacket is not quite dry. In this case removing the sticker pulls the lacquer from the jacket, leaving a dull spot...
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You can go to Barnes & Noble and they have an EVENTS link for author signings in your area. Otherwise, you have to go to the individual author pages and see where they are going to be..... or, let us do the work for you!
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Which authors will be collaborating on future Robert Ludlum's Covert One series?
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I'm interested in Christopher Moore's "Sacre Bleu". The description says "hardcover with half jacket" - can you explain what a half jacket is?
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It appears that the estate has left the Covert One series kind of “up for grabs”...
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Take a look a the image on this link (to the ad on our store): http://www.vjbooks.com/Christopher-Moore-Sacre-Bleu-p/moosacr01.htm The dark blue is literally the jacket and it only covers ½ of the boards of the book. The board has the special design on it, so it’s a nice “art” piece.
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Does a signed copy of a book with a remainder mark have more value than an unmarked, unsigned book?
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I have signed book plates that I want to attach to the books. On which page and in what manner should I attempt to attach them to retain their value?
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It’s kind of in the eye of the beholder. Personally, if the author is still living and a possibility for future signings exist, I would prefer the unsigned, pristine copy. However, if future signing is unlikely, I would take the signed remainder marked copy...
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We don't recommend attaching bookplates to books. We simply "lay it in" between the left flap of the jacket and the acetate cover we put on the jackets. Attaching...
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Can you tell me if David Baldacci's "Wish You Well" was printed other than 8" high with 401 pages. I am trying to find it in the 9" high larger size like all my other Baldacci books. format?
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How do I safely pack my books for a move?
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"Wish You Well" was only produced in the shorter version. Many collectors don't like this because it looks like a book club edition.
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If there is any way for you to pick up some book boxes, it’s the way to go. The ideal...
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What is the value of an author's minimal (non-personalized) inscription in a book?
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Does VJ Books sell books that authors have signed, lined, and dated?
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Any "non-personalized" inscription, in fact anything added in the author's hand, increases the value of a collectible book. The date should not be a problem.
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Providing signed/lined/dated copies of authors titles is largely a UK trend, and the authors are somewhat taxed to provide this service. We arrange dozens of author signings...
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Is my copy of "The Immortalists" a book club edition?
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Will affixing my personal bookplate to my book affect its value?
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The Immoralists is not a bookclub. This book was initially issued as an eBook only. A short run hardcover was later issued by Thomas and Mercer. As such, there is no price on the dustjacket, and no...
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By permanently affixing an "owner" bookplate, seal, or stamp on any page of the book or dust jacket devalues it. To best show ownership...
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Do publishers use different quality paper when publishing a book?
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What can you tell me about Paul Levine’s Solomon & Lord series?
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The simple one is yes, they use different weights and grades of paper. However, the modern novel is typically printed on...
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The Solomon & Lord series has often been compared to Dave Barry, Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey, in humor - with laugh-out-loud moments. They feature...
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Does VJ Books offer Certificates of Authenticity?
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In your opinion, which ones (authors, titles) are a good investment?
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We don't offer Certificates of Authenticity, as we are not signature authenticators. Our books are obtained directly from publishers and signings which occur through our long-standing relationships with the authors...
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Those titles that are written by British authors and are the true first 1st/1st tend to appreciate the best. I would recommend new authors that are making quite a splash in Europe such as Tom Cain, Matt Hilton...
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In at least two of Jack DuBrul's Philip Mercer books, he refers to an incident around Hawaii and a Russian sub. Which book is he talking about?
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How do I identify a first edition from Permanent Press?
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Jack's first book Vulcan's Forge takes place in Hawaii. For more details on all of his stories visit his website, http://www.jackdubrulbooks.com...
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We were not familiar with Permanent Press, but did check McBride's and it reads: "Permanent Press used two different conventions for indicating...
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Why is the jacket short on Zafon's Angel's Game?
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Is Howard Gordon’s book Obelisk the same book as Gideon’s war?
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It's artistic! The publisher wanted to show the bookshelves on the front and back boards and not have the jacket cover it up
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Yes, they renamed the book Obelisk for UK release.
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Was Alan Bradley's aRed Herring Without Mustard published with a dust jacket?
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Which authors avoid using profanity in their books?
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No, the publisher issued the books without a jacket.
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Clive Cussler practices a standard that avoids excessive violence, sex or swearing from his books. He is almost unique in...
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Why can’t I find a first edition of D.F. Jones' Colossus?
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What is the difference in the books Serial and Serial Uncut by Blake Crouch and J.A. Konrath?
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"Dennis Feltham Jones (1917 – 1981) was a British science fiction author who wrote as D.F. Jones, so consequently true 1sts are UK editions, and quite scarce. Your best chance to find them is by
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What is the difference between Serial and Serial Uncut by Blake Crouch and J.A. Konrath? Joe and Blake got such a positive response from the short story (Serial) that they expanded it (Serial Uncut). Serial is available in the chap book produced by Norwood Press (on our site). Serial Uncut is only available as an ebook through Blake's site (for now).
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I am confused about John Grisham's The Innocent Man. The first edition of this book seems to have a different cover. Does this book you have listed state inside that it is a first edition?
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What is a "rough cut" book binding?
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We checked with the publisher and were assured that the book with the number line (on the bottom of the copy write page reading 10 9 8, etc.) ending in 1 is the 1st edition 1st print of this book. For some reason Doubleday stepped...
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Rough cut" is also known as "deckled edged" - the pages of the book are not smooth, but have a more "antiquarian" look and feel...
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Does it detract from the value of a book to have it signed by the translator (in addition to the author)?
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Patrick Rothfuss - The Wise Man's Fear Number Line
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Detract: No. Enhance: Negligible.
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The number line for Patrick Rothfuss' The Wise Man's Fear does not have a number line. Penguin Publishing confirmed that they mistakenly left off the number line in the first edition, first printing.
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Nevada Barr's High Country is missing some pages... is it more valuable?
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Where can I check on your website for older book titles that may have come in?
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The book you have is indeed rare! Valuable?
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We are always accumulating back list titles and when we meet up with a particular author, get them signed, and immediately list them in our "What's New" category...
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Do the errors found in The Passage by Justin Cronin make it more collectible?
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How do you tell if a book signature is authentic?
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Uniqueness typically results in higher collectible values. The question becomes "How unique is it?" and...
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We receive the vast majority of our signed books either from the publisher, or from the author themselves. (We send the books directly to them for signing). Although we are...
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I'm attending a book signing by Clive Cussler. Which books should I take?
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I have an A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton. What edition is it?
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The older Dirk Pitt titles command higher resale values, either signed or unsigned, so I'd recommend taking them...
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This book is a reprint and the only way to ascertain it's actual publication date would be to reference the later titles mentioned. Publishers do not typically...
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What is an Advance Reading Copy?
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I found a rare book by Dean Koontz. What is it worth?
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These trade paper-sized pre-release editions are produced by the publisher for distribution to book reviewers and...
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From 1970-1987 Dean Koontz wrote under numerous pen names. Among them the aforementioned North and Coffey, plus KR Dwyer, David Axton, John Hill...
Many of the titles have been reissued under Koontz' own name, however, the true first editions bear the pen names, and as such, are much more...
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Were Clive Cussler's Blue Gold and Skeleton Coast ever produced in hardcover editions?
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I purchased J. Kellerman's "Gone" and when I got home I noticed the book did not have an ISBN. Is it a true first edition book?
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The only hardcover edition of Clive Cussler's Blue Gold was produced by us (Norwood Press) in limited edition format. There were...
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Ballantine (publishing) chose to not print the ISBN on the copyright page. So, I believe that the copy you are referencing to is a true first.
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Does the ISBN help determine the edition?
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Why collect books?
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The ISBN will indicate first edition but not first printing. So you have to rely on McBride's...
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Collecting is an urge indigenous to the human species. Its maturation may be from...
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How do I protect a dust jacket that is see-through?
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I've noticed that Clive Cussler's The Spy and John Sandford's Mortal Prey were printed without number lines on the copy write pages. Why?
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Regrettably, there is no easy fix for this. When the publisher delivers the book in a clear acetate jacket...
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The first edition, first printing of these books were published without a number line. Later printings carry a number line, omitting the "1". Putnam (publishing) does this occasionally without...
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How do personal inscriptions impact the value of a book?
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Some history about "tip-in" pages...
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Personalized inscriptions typically devalue the collectible book. The only exception is when the...
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The tip-in process is not new. It has been used for decades by high-end publishers such as ...
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What are tipped-in pages?
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What is worth more, ARCs or unsigned first/first editions?
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Do books signed on a tipped-in page have the same value as one where the signature is on the title page?
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Some collectors consider ARC's (advance reading copies or proofs) to be the "true" first edition/first appearance of a given title; and while technically...
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Can you tell me if there were multiple board colors printed for Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box?
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What is going on with the Wal-mart, Target and Amazon price wars?
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We have seen it in both states on this and other books. It's a natural process of book manufacturing. For instance...
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John comments on the Wal-mart, Target and Amazon price war
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Why does my book have uneven page edges?
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How to identify first editions?
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The type of binding your are referring to is intentional, and called "deckled" edges. They are common and...
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Different publishers use different conventions to identify First Editions. Very few use the words "First Edition." We highly recommend McBride's...
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US or UK - Which is a true first?
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What's the best way to start collecting books?
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Our description convention will state "First printing / first edition". This implies that the book being offered is a first US appearance...
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Collecting books is a lot like collecting art. . . it's in the eye of the beholder. First and foremost, we recommend that...
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In what order should I read Jack DuBrul's books?
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Why would an author sign a remainder-marked book?
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Jack DuBrul's series featuring geologist/adventurer Phil Mercer is a must-read for Cussler fans. DuBrul delivers suspense and...
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We believe that nice, unread, signed remainder marked copies expand the market interest in an author's work...
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I recently received a book with a bookplate. What do I do with the bookplate?
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Why are UK editions more expensive than US editions?
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Do not "paste" the label on the page. We lay them inside the front board. Otherwise you risk...
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There are lots of reasons UK editions are more expensive. First, dollars vs. pounds sterling. The exchange rate...
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Are James Rollins' first three books only available in paperback?
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Why do both hardcover and trade paper editions
of Robert McCammon's The Queen of Bedlam exist?
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Good news! I just spoke with Jim Rollins and am pleased to report that his publisher, HarperCollins, plans to issue all three in hardcover starting with...
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Every once in awhile a publisher will do a simultaneous hardcover / trade paper release of the same title in hopes of reaching a broader...
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Is there value in unsigned Stephen King books?
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What do you buy a book collector?
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His early works are scarce in collectible condition, even unsigned. We recently obtained and sold a...
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Virginia talks about what to buy the book collector (who has everything!)
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How are shipping and handling charges calculated?
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Why do some first edition, first printing books have prices on the dust jacket flap and others don't?
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When you place your order the system pings the USPS site for weight-based shipping, and then adds...
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If it isn't price-clipped and doesn't have a price it is probably a book club edition.
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What is the best way to care for my first editions?
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UK vs. US Editions
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For (non-antiquarian) collectible books I recommend...
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"I notice that UK editions generally are valued more than US editions. Is this because they are a shorter run, or just that books usually cost more in the UK?
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Have James Rollins' Subterranean, Excavation, and Deep Fathom books been released in hardcover?
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Why do publishers create different dust jackets?
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James Rollins' Subterranean, Excavation, and Deep Fathom books were originally released in paperback, and they have not been released in hardcover edition (yet)...
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Although it doesn't happen very often, publishers will print two different book jackets for the same book. One is not necessarily more valuable (or collectible) than...
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What are your recommendations for buying and selling on eBay?
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Why do some books have page edges that are uneven on the sides?
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Buyer beware! eBay is a garage sale without the benefit of actually seeing what you are buying until...
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What you are describing is "classic uncut page edges." Publishers occasionally use this as...
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How do I determine whether a book is a true first edition?
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How does a book plate affect the value of a book?
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The common convention used today is a...
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The most valuable is clearly hand-signed (free of inscription) on the title page, followed by...
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How does an inscription affect the value of a book?
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A question about Term Limits by Vince Flynn
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Inscriptions typically negate the value added to a signed book, unless the inscription...
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"Please help me with a question I have about one Vince Flynn book....(Ted, Alabama)
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Booked To Die by John Dunning
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Some signed first editions come with a sticker on the front of the book saying "signed copy" and it seems those copies are signed on a blank page. Why?
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"I was hoping that you could help me with a few facts about John Dunning's book - Booked to Die....(Karen, Alaska)
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The sticker that you refer to is placed on the book by the publisher simply only to indicate that the book is signed. Typically, they are signed on a...
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I can only find paperback editions of a book I'd like to add to my collection. Why aren't hardcovers available?
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I would like to start collecting - What books do you recommend?
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The editorial review boards of all major publishers determine the format under which a particular book is to be released. Their process focuses...
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With Connelly and Child you have not only identified two of my favorites, but also two of the nicest guys in the business. Michael Connelly’s first book...
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I've just found a beautiful copy of Chiefs by Stuart Woods
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Determining whether your book is a true first is confusing to any collector, new or experienced. The best resource...
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New Arrivals
