Author |
Message |
AlexHergensheimer
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:00 am Posts: 61
|
rare Heinlein books and global prices
I was walking down santa monica blvd here in l.a. today and I stumbled into a quaint little shop with the words "Rare Science Fiction" -- I went in and a nice old man named Barry showed me bunches of heinleins, all first ed. and many signed. here's what I don't get: he's selling some of them for $4,500 etc. Is this for real? Do small bookshops still set the global price in the age of eBay? a few listed on his website. he has lots more. http://www.raresf.com/bcat3.htmlFor reasons that elude me (signed books don't contain the soul of the man!), I would LOVE to have signed first editions, and I'm sort of glad that RAH didn't go in for the "meat-market" mass signings authors do today. I have 8 or 9 first editions myself, and a cute little signed softcover of Menace. None of them cost me much at all. (by the way, the shop owner said he just started reading your book, Bill.)
|
Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:43 pm |
|
|
JamesGifford
PITA Bred
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:17 pm Posts: 2402 Location: The Quiet Earth
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
Barry Levin is a well-known name in rare books. Most of those prices are in line with my experience, although I have only passing interest in firsts. (I long ago discovered that a ratty $1 paperback has all the same words, in the same order.) Firsts of the big three can easily hit $4,000.
_________________ "Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders." - Luther In the end, I found Heinlein is finite. Thus, finite analysis is needed.
|
Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:07 pm |
|
|
BillPatterson
Heinlein Biographer
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:33 pm Posts: 1024
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
|
Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:40 am |
|
|
beamjockey
Centennial Attendee
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:46 am Posts: 545 Location: Aurora, IL, USA, Terra
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
_________________ Bill Higgins bill.higgins@gt.org http://beamjockey.livejournal.com
|
Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:12 am |
|
|
BillPatterson
Heinlein Biographer
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:33 pm Posts: 1024
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
|
Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:55 pm |
|
|
georule
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:18 pm Posts: 345 Location: Minnesota
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
I have exactly one autographed RAH --the trade paper of NOTB. Some people don't like that book, but I am fond of it on several accounts.
It's actually a somewhat famous story, as I bought it from LOCUS. Charlie Brown liked to tell the story of how RAH offered to sign a whole bunch of those for him to support LOCUS. And in the archives there are some pictures of RAH visiting LOCUS in Oakland for one of their periodic parties (probably a fold/staple/stuff party).
We had a second one (CAT), but in a moment of financial weakness some years ago sold it at a handsome profit. I still regret that, but it seemed needful at the time, and I suspect the Old Man would actually appreciate that he contributed to the family budget at such a juncture, and that I was willing to pull the trigger on that basis.
I'm sitting on the original first six volumes of The Virginia Edition. Well, I'm not the only one. Mine are different, tho. Mine have identifying markings from the Butler Public Library (Robert's hometown library that he and Ginny have endowed in multiple ways. . .) as having been part of their collection. One of these days I'll likely contribute them to a Worthy Cause for auction.
_________________ "Rub her feet." --Woodrow Wilson Smith
"Hey, if I'm going to pass on the timeless wisdom of the ages in a Sig, that pretty well qualifies, in my experience." --Geo Rule
|
Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:54 am |
|
|
TexasScot1952
NitroForum Oldster
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:55 am Posts: 80 Location: DFW, Texas
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
I looked at the website and confirmed that my copy of Cat is worth something.
My copy has the mistake on pg 300 and I still have the correction strip. Concidering I bought it new probably for the cover price that is all for the good.
Too bad its not really worth something big, but nice to know.
|
Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:15 am |
|
|
RobWright
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:20 am Posts: 156 Location: Cloudcroft New Mexico
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
I have signed books from:
Jack Williamson: Demon Moon and The Humanoids
The Humanoids is the 80's re-release in Hardcover. I found it at the used bookstore I visit often and paid 40 cents for it. Near new condition too. They applied their credit scheme to the price so i paid 5 cents on the dollar. Even at $8 it would of been worth it. It is also the only one I have that is just a signature, all the others have a little something inscribed as well.
WIlliam Gibson: Idoru and Zero History
Bill Patterson: Robert A. Heinlein : In Dialogue with His Century: Volume 1 (1907-1949): Learning Curve
For me the value of the signature comes from the value the writer has to me. If it ends up being worth something, bonus.
I would like to own, at some point, works signed by RAH and Frank Herbert.
Rob
|
Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:24 pm |
|
|
AlexHergensheimer
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:00 am Posts: 61
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
|
Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:52 am |
|
|
BillPatterson
Heinlein Biographer
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:33 pm Posts: 1024
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
|
Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:04 pm |
|
|
JackKelly
NitroForum Oldster
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:57 am Posts: 669 Location: DC Metro
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
_________________ "Being right too soon is socially unacceptable." - Heinlein, Expanded Universe
|
Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:03 am |
|
|
frankchamler
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:59 am Posts: 7
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
why would sombody buy used books now when you can dowenlaod it from bitronet ? on the e ink or tablet pcs?
|
Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:32 am |
|
|
JamesGifford
PITA Bred
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:17 pm Posts: 2402 Location: The Quiet Earth
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
_________________ "Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders." - Luther In the end, I found Heinlein is finite. Thus, finite analysis is needed.
|
Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:21 am |
|
|
BillPatterson
Heinlein Biographer
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:33 pm Posts: 1024
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
|
Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:12 pm |
|
|
Bilboleslie
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:29 am Posts: 6 Location: Sandy, Oregon
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
I love this thread, and I love collecting RAH. I have two books signed by RAH:
Entre Planetas (Between Planets) a paperback edition in Portuguese, probably signed when he was cruising around South America on tramp steamers. The year is right.
Il Numero della Bestia (The Number of the Beast) in Italian. This was purchased from a friend of RAH's, and came with documentation. It may have been his agent; I don't recall.
And best, a warmly inscribed 3x5 card, that RAH sent to me when I was 12, in response to a fan letter that I sent him.
I have an original Dell 10 cent book of Universe, which I particularly like.
I have half a dozen first editions, and I also branched out into collecting "first appearance" of RAH works, which were often in the form of serialized magazine articles. I also have multiple copies of some early paperback editions. Love the art work. Some day, I'd like to add some original cover art, but I suspect the cost would be prohibitive.
I've also collected half a dozen copies of his works in Italian, Spanish, German and other languages, picked up while I traveled. I don't know why. I'm seeking counseling for this habit.
I have been thinking of working on a website that will track the values of first editions, and of signed books. Maybe this will push me into doing that.
Would anyone buy a poster of an early paperback? I wonder why they've never been reprinted.
_________________ Member, vast right wing conspiracy. Life Member NRA. Writer for various magazines, including World At War, Bugle, Family Chronicle.
|
Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:56 am |
|
|
TexasScot1952
NitroForum Oldster
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:55 am Posts: 80 Location: DFW, Texas
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
I lucked out this weekend, I was in Half-Price books and found a Book Club editon of Farham's Freehold for $8.00. This was one of 2 Heinlein books I didn't have in hardback. Now if I could find a cheap hardback of Sixth Column. LOL, I know don't hold my breath.
|
Mon Dec 02, 2013 7:46 am |
|
|
PeterScott
Heinlein Nexus
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:10 am Posts: 2236 Location: Pacific NorthWest
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
Heh. Reminds me of the time that a spiffy bookstore had a special event - some author signing I believe - and I went along for the heck of it, and walked out with just a couple of Heinlein paperbacks. The sales dude made some snide comment about priorities that I didn't care about.
|
Mon Dec 02, 2013 4:20 pm |
|
|
Bilboleslie
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:29 am Posts: 6 Location: Sandy, Oregon
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
One thing you can tell for sure: He never read Heinlein, or he wouldn't be saying that.
_________________ Member, vast right wing conspiracy. Life Member NRA. Writer for various magazines, including World At War, Bugle, Family Chronicle.
|
Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:12 pm |
|
|
sakeneko
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:22 am Posts: 603 Location: Reno, NV
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
_________________ Catherine Jefferson <ctiydspmrz@ergosphere.net> Home Page: http://www.ergosphere.net
|
Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:12 am |
|
|
Bilboleslie
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:29 am Posts: 6 Location: Sandy, Oregon
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
Well said.
I was obviously speaking from the point of view of a fan. I think someday Hollywood will take note, and then the value of our first editions will go up. I picture Citizen of the Galaxy as a four part movie series... Thorby as a beggar, as a free trader, as a guardsman, and then as the Rudbek of Rudbek. Citizen may be my favorite work, even though it is classed as a juvenile work.
_________________ Member, vast right wing conspiracy. Life Member NRA. Writer for various magazines, including World At War, Bugle, Family Chronicle.
|
Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:36 am |
|
|
DavidWrightSr
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:24 am Posts: 265 Location: Northwest Georgia
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
|
Tue Dec 03, 2013 12:39 pm |
|
|
Bilboleslie
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:29 am Posts: 6 Location: Sandy, Oregon
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
I am a writer. Ask him if he needs someone do a screenplay. Biggest issue is, are the rights available?
_________________ Member, vast right wing conspiracy. Life Member NRA. Writer for various magazines, including World At War, Bugle, Family Chronicle.
|
Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:01 pm |
|
|
sakeneko
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:22 am Posts: 603 Location: Reno, NV
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
I would *love* to see a miniseries based on Citizen of the Galaxy!
_________________ Catherine Jefferson <ctiydspmrz@ergosphere.net> Home Page: http://www.ergosphere.net
|
Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:12 pm |
|
|
jeepojiii
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:42 pm Posts: 128 Location: Northern VA
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
_________________ OJ III
|
Thu Dec 05, 2013 2:03 pm |
|
|
JJGarsch
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:52 pm Posts: 136
|
Re: rare Heinlein books and global prices
Likewise, hence my appellation. I discovered Citizen in my school library at age 12; there was no other way for me to read it - the Ballantine paperback editions of the "juveniles" were about a decade away.
The Heinlein Archives manuscript bears the same relation to the published version of Citizen that the 1990 Stranger in a Strange Land bears to the 1961 version - that is, the same sorts of tightening up on a sentence-by-sentence basis.
Some day I'd like to own one of those 1957 hardcovers, but other priorities await.
|
Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:57 am |
|
|