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Dear John:

After reading John Dunning's books, I began to ask authors to inscribe the book to me, especially new authors. Please comment on how this impacts the book value.

Marty

John replies:

Personalized inscriptions typically devalue the collectible book. The only exception is when the person that it is inscribed to is at least as famous as the author. For instance, a General's Daughter (Nelson DeMille) inscribed "To John Travolta" (who starred in the film version) is very collectible and valuable.

On the other hand, one signed "To Joe" would be of no value to anyone, unless they are named Joe.

Generic inscriptions are a nice addition. Personalized, however, typically devalue the book.

John

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Ten Big Ones | Evanovich, Janet | Signed First Edition Book Evanovich, Janet | Ten Big Ones | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book.  2004 NY: St. Martin's Press. First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee.

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Explosive Eighteen | Evanovich, Janet | Signed First Edition Book Evanovich, Janet | Explosive Eighteen | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book.  November 2011 NY: Random House Publishing  First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee..

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Love in a Nutshell | Evanovich, Janet & Kelly, Dorien | Double-Signed 1st Edition Evanovich, Janet & Kelly, Dorien | Love in a Nutshell | Double-Signed 1st Edition

Signed Hardcover Book.  January 2012 NY: St. Martin's  First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the authors.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee.

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Takedown Twenty | Evanovich, Janet | Signed First Edition Book Evanovich, Janet | Takedown Twenty | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book.    November 2013 NY: Random House Publishing    First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee..

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Plum Lovin' | Evanovich, Janet | Signed First Edition Book Evanovich, Janet | Plum Lovin' | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book.  2007 NY: St. Martin's  First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee.

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Ghost Image | Crosby, Ellen | Signed First Edition Book Crosby, Ellen | Ghost Image | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book. April 2015 NY: Scribner  First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee.

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Top Secret Twenty-One | Evanovich, Janet | Signed First Edition Book Evanovich, Janet | Top Secret Twenty-One | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book June 2014 NY: Bantam     First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee.

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Multiple Exposure | Crosby, Ellen | Signed First Edition Book Crosby, Ellen | Multiple Exposure | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book. August 2013 NY: Scribner  First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee.

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What Doesn't Kill You | Johansen, Iris | Signed First Edition Book Johansen, Iris | What Doesn't Kill You | Signed First Edition Copy

Author Signed Hardcover Book.  April 2012 NY: St. Martin's Press  First edition, first printing, fine in a fine dust jacket, signed by the author.  This is a collectible book free from material defects.  Jacket covering services are available for a small fee..

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