Posted by Robert Thompson on November 12, 2002 at 21:01:57 from 212.229.58.245 user robert.
In Reply to: Re: 1st Editions etc. posted by kate crosby on November 11, 2002 at 15:16:02:
Yes, this has been discussed before, and yes I am posting the same message - please, please don't go down the road of photocopied dustwrappers, thus devaluing those copies readily available with wrappers. There are currently 246 copies with wrappers for sale on abebooks, 69 of them first editions.
Even if photocopies are made for one's own use there will come a time (hopefully later than sooner) when one leaves this world - the fate of the copies with wrappers could then be out of control depending on what one's family does with them.
There is nothing like the excitement of discovering a rare book after a long search. Incidentally the most expensive book for sale (SA first) is currently priced at $13468.93 (8500 pounds) and has a most dubious history. Its wrapper was discovered in a box of mint unfolded assorted wrapper in a London bookshop. The dealer then waited for a book to be available and married the two. As the book had been without a wrapper for so long the boards were faded and clearly do not fit the wrapper. The dealer's original price nearly two years ago was 15000 pounds. I'm hoping that even halving the price will result in a no-sale.
This wrapper at least is still with its original book!