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The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:35 pm
by Carter
So I'm in one of the used book haunts I frequent here in NYC, and lo and behold, while skimming the SK shelf, I come across a black slipcase. Now, this is in the bargain room: hardcovers 4.00, softcover 2.00. I pick it up and gently remove a F/F copy of 'The Girl Next Door' limited edition by Woodstock: Overlook Connection Press, (1996). I start to thumb through hoping to see what only took two turns of a page to reveal. This is a signed copy limited edition of 500. This is numbered: PC3.

I paid 4 bucks for the SK signed Jack Ketchum.

I've found the wooden box edition listed for 1500.00 on Ken Lopez' site:

http://www.lopezbooks.com/item/29995/

Any idea of a copy numbered PC3 in slipcase. Book F\NF slipcase is NF.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:57 pm
by Mr. Rabbit Trick
The last ones at Betts Bookstore sold for $155. Yours is a PC version, so it would be a bit less, say $140.

There is not much demand for this as it does not contain a King story, only an introduction.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:33 am
by Carter
Thanks Rabbit.

Actually, PC copies are worth more to me, as there are far fewer of those than numbered or lettered copies.

If a book dealer presented three copies of a limited edition all exactly the same and in the same condition:
1. Numbered- 421/500
2. Lettered- H/26
3. PC- 8

If I knew there were just eight PC copies, the PC is one of eight, the lettered is one of 26, and the numbered is one of 500.

If given the choice, all things being equal with condition, I'll take a PC every time. :)

No matter which way you cut it, PC copies are simply just rarer.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:25 am
by TheCollector
Carter wrote:Thanks Rabbit.

Actually, PC copies are worth more to me, as there are far fewer of those than numbered or lettered copies.

If a book dealer presented three copies of a limited edition all exactly the same and in the same condition:
1. Numbered- 421/500
2. Lettered- H/26
3. PC- 8

If I knew there were just eight PC copies, the PC is one of eight, the lettered is one of 26, and the numbered is one of 500.

If given the choice, all things being equal with condition, I'll take a PC every time. :)

No matter which way you cut it, PC copies are simply just rarer.
I'll be honest I agree with you, but the market does not bear that out (currently). PC copies used to command a small premium, sometimes, but since 2003 or so, they've tanked worse then their numbered counterparts. If you prefer PC copies you'll find most of them can be found at a substantial discount, although I've seen some signs the cap is closing a little.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:01 pm
by jimimck
Yeah I tend to agree with Tomas that the market as a whole values PC copies less than the numbered or lettered versions.

The only exceptions seem to be when someone is looking specifically for a PC copy as part on an overall set etc.

I'd be happy to buy a PC edition anytime, but only at a discount compared to the numbered edition.

Oh and I would never value a PC edition higher than a lettered, even if there were fewer copies.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 6:19 am
by TrueNorth
NICE FIND!!

For 20 years I have been visiting used bookstores, Sally-Anns and Goodwills looking for a pearl. I haven't come close to finding a sweet deal like you found.

Congratulations!

I am with the others on the PC $ value. I know there is only one #256 or one Letter M but PCs could go on forever.

Unless it is a set of more then one book (like DT) I would take a PC over mixed numbers anyday.

I love the hunt,
Foster

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:31 pm
by Carter
Thanks Jim & TrueNorth.

Autumn before last, I was visiting an antique mall up in Putnam County here in NY, and I came across a First edition copy of the Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury signed in F/F. I'm being solid on the condition; I can find no flaw in book or jacket. It was marked 40.00. After my usual 40% lower offer, we settled on 30.00. The wife gave me the obligatory dirty look (another book), and I took it home.

The book in lesser condition is listed typically 500.00 and up. Realistically, I think it's prob worth 300.00 or so.

That was another successful buy. I love the hunt.

Thanks Rabbit, Collector, & Jim for your input as well. Very appreciated.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:29 am
by TheCollector
Carter wrote:Thanks Jim & TrueNorth.

Autumn before last, I was visiting an antique mall up in Putnam County here in NY, and I came across a First edition copy of the Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury signed in F/F. I'm being solid on the condition; I can find no flaw in book or jacket. It was marked 40.00. After my usual 40% lower offer, we settled on 30.00. The wife gave me the obligatory dirty look (another book), and I took it home.

The book in lesser condition is listed typically 500.00 and up. Realistically, I think it's prob worth 300.00 or so.

That was another successful buy. I love the hunt.

Thanks Rabbit, Collector, & Jim for your input as well. Very appreciated.
Do you hit every used bookstore with a 40% lower offer every time? What's your success rate with that strategy? I'm very curious.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:53 pm
by Carter
Not every store, every single time. But from my experience, retailers usually over price. So if I think something doesn't merit the asking price, certainly I offer what I think it's worth, or a bit below if I think we'll settle somewhere in the middle.

Antique malls for example almost always expect a little haggle. Have you ever noticed that many booths in antique malls have 20% discount signs? Sellers often work that discount into their asking price.

I work hard for my money. I'm not giving it away. ;)

But at the same time, if I think an asking price is fair, I'll pay.

If I think an asking price is egregiously high I have no problem throwing out a price 40% lower than I think the actual value is.

I usually get a satisfactory discount. The seller gets a good price. Both walk away happy.

Success rate I'd say is 80%.

Re: The Girl Next Door limited signed by King...

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:00 am
by TheCollector
That makes complete sense, I was thinking from your post that you just slashed 40% off every book you came across, seemed pretty ballsy :)