DO YOU HAVE A BOOK QUESTION?

[manor_house_books]

Hi all, pippy_oak here, posting under my brand new user name. Hopefully, Richard will pin this thread, as it seems a nice tidy place to pose specific questions about a book (Is it a 1st edition, what's it worth, where to find it etc. etc.) Don't just come here with a question. If you think you have the answer, then let's hear it.

Or we could just mooch around and learn a few things.

Cheers

Paul

[tulubycat]

Yes I own this book, thank you for the link I didn't realise it was worth so much. I just have to find out how to go about selling it now. Thank you again.
Kristine.

[fine.books]

Bloomsbury.

[patgal4]

The other day I asked, what I thought to be a rather innocuous question, about another site selling books. I dare not mention the name. Last night I received an email from Ebay Moderation Team - respectfully requesting that I refrain from this activity as it was against their policy etc. I immediately apologised as I hadn't realised that this was verboten.

Understandably my post has disappeared. Why am I getting a slap on the wrist when so many other names are mentioned on this board?

[cheeslet]

Having read a few responses out there I don't appear to speak English any more .....so forgive me if I don't have the jargon.....but, I do have a book question.....does anyone know where I might buy, beg, steal or borrow a book called 'I'm a stranger here myself' by Derec Longden. I have obtained and read every other book of his bar this one and I love them to bits. Help? Cheers from cheeslet.....daft name but there you go.

[petedec]

It all makes perfect sense to me,but then I have been here for a while:-)Try your public library.There are two copies in the system,one in Huddersfield,the other in Sussex but if you order a book they will despatch to the library nearest you.

[sigmapsidelta]

Patgal, don't apologise. They were just miffed that you mentioned a competitor on their site.

Seems eBay are terrified of competition. And with the way they treat their customers you can easily see why.

I did a test: I walked into the local Morrison's supermarket and said loudly, "Tesco!" Not one member of staff approached me to make me wash my mouth out, no-one tried to throw me out. In fact no-one took any notice whatsoever.

I guess Morrison's, a small £half billion company, feel more secure in their market position than the top (by an inordinately vast margin) £10 billion internet auction site.

The eBay top dogs probably all read their horoscopes in the Daily Star and believe every word.

I got one of those emails a good while ago for answering the question 'What does your ID mean and how did you come up with it?'.

It turns out that the Greek alphabet is to eBay what Kryptonite is to Superman. I think they just weren't bright enough to understand what was being spoken of and decided that it must be bad for that reason.

You'll never meet one of those moderators - they're not allowed outside on their own in case they hurt themselves. Comes of having an IQ slightly south of that of a glass of cold water.

. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whomever you may murder, there's no police like Holmes.
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[patgal4]

Thanks for that, Sig. For a nanosecond I thought I was being accused of selling off the family silver.

[sigmapsidelta]

Has anyone ever seen a first of A.S. Byatt's 'Elementals'?

I have a copy which has her signature on the title page. But the signature appears to be exactly the same colour as the ink used to print the book. I can see no impression made by a pen, either on the reverse of the page or by holding it at an angle to a light source.

Is this a printed facsimile?

I've looked around and some are claimed to be signed, but does that mean that it is signed in addition to the facsimile (if that is what it is) or are others just assuming?

If anyone has a copy of the first impression without a signature on the title page please let me know.

. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whomever you may murder, there's no police like Holmes.
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[sagesaucer]

Has anyone got any Rosemary Timperley novels knocking about?

[sigmapsidelta]

Look out for the 'London Magazine' which was issued in a paperback form. From the 1960s to the '90s Rosemary Timperley was a regular contributor.

Haven't got any hardcovers by her, and all my paperbacks are still packed after moving house. Gotta build some more shelves before I can unpack them, but I'm sure there are some in there. They aren't that difficult to find - 160+ items on the link below.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?bx=off&sts=t&ds=50&bi=0&an=rosemary+timperley&y=9&x=101&sortby=1

. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whomever you may murder, there's no police like Holmes.
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[sagesaucer]

Thanks, wish I'd not returned them all to the library in 1980 now!

[green2walker]

Re Elementals by AS Byatt. I've got what appears to be a first impression and there's no signature. I've had a look at another AS Byatt book I've got, which she signed for me, and it does look alarmingly like a facsimile (ie no dent on the page when you look at the reverse) - she must use a very light touch, and a fibre-pen! I would guess you've got an original signature there.

[sigmapsidelta]

Thanks g2w. I thought that question had been forgotten.

I may list it now I have a better idea of what I've got. On the other hand it is the only example of her signature that I have, so may hang onto it for future reference.

Decisions, decisions.

. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whomever you may murder, there's no police like Holmes.
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[patgal4]

I recently listed Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals. I priced it at £1.99 think it might reach £3. Within a day it jumped to £11. This is a Reprint Society publication and while in good condition with d/j I am at a loss as to why anyone would pay this amount for a reprint society. Is it by any chance the d/j?

I recently sold a much better edition with illustrations for £8. I am pleased but intrigued.

[manor_house_books]

Always a great seller.

Must be the dj, but are RS books necessarily the same size as publishers' editions?

[sigmapsidelta]

Sometimes you get the bear.

Sometimes the bear gets you.

. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whomever you may murder, there's no police like Holmes.
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[migladin]

Up until a couple of months ago (listen to me - seasoned seller!) ok then in the summer when I started selling - any GD in any condition was being fought over by people like lions at feeding time - My Family & other animals especially - like everything else - everyone's caught on that he's a sure fire seller and they are now a bit slower...... still good sellers though.......

[patgal4]

I picked up a book to day - This is your Home, a portrait of Mary Kingsley by Kathleen Wallace. Published 1956, first edition. Inside there was a letter from William Heinemann Ltd to the effect that 'the book was to be published in June 1956. I am sending you a proof and an advance copy of the jacket for this charming biography of Mary Kingsley, the redoubtable niece of Charles Kingsley.' Signed D.E. Priestly. Does this have any significance?

[sigmapsidelta]

It is a part of the history of the book. But it probably wouldn't add to the price you get. You find the odd letter in proofs and review copies. It is usually an attempt by the publisher to get a bit of free advertising if the recipient writes a review and it is published.

. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whomever you may murder, there's no police like Holmes.
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[migladin]

Hi I got up this morning and decided to rummage in the box of books I think might be worth something that came out of my parents house....I have been wondering about this book and what to do with it for ages. I have looked at Addal and ordinary copies seem to be selling for about $100 to $150 - but ....
It is a book called Memorials of Edward Burne Jones - written by Georgina Burne Jones - his wife - 1906 US edition in one volume - in fairly average sort of condition. Inside it is signed in pencil From g Burne-Jones oc 31 1907 Rottingdean. Also inside is a small postcard with the following inscription:
Ps to letter - Which was already closed when I received a note from my daughter, saying she had, at my request, posted to you a book which may possibly arrive before this. It is a copy of an American edition of the Memorials of my husband, in one volume, which I hope you will keep. There are no illustrations in it, I think, except the small reproductions of pen & ink drawing which are printed together with the type. The reason of this is that the larger ones were so badly done that I tore them out. This does not affect the text however in any way. GBJ.
And sure enough - there aren't!!

What do I do with it? What's it worth? It's in sort of ok condition with some foxing to the inside of the covers.....

Mig