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Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:12 am
by George at C-Springs
Here's a good example of why should open those shrink wrapped copies. While I was hoping for a remarque (always!) in this DT VII Artist's Edition, what I got instead was destruction ... and it came out of the wrap just like this. Nothing was sticky, nothing fresh ... this happened either at the binders, or afterwards and then somebody re-wrapped and sold as new.

In this case, it could be either or both. The cover art is actually folded over (not cut and missing), and then where there was exposed glue the facing page got stuck to it and was torn when it was opened .... but not be me. So it happened at the binders, the damage wasn't caught, and then it was wrapped and sold, or somebody else bought it, saw the damage, and rewrapped and sold. I bought this copy at a local used bookstore that I frequent often, so I'm certain it wasn't them. Unfortunately I bought it last year, so can't return it now. Well, I could, but it would only be for store credit, and it's damaged ... still, it's an artist signed copy and I might get more for it than on eBay.

Moral of the story? Check those sealed copies ... you never know when you'll find a remarque, or some other surprise.

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:34 am
by jhanic
George, you might want to contact the people at Grant to see if they can help.

https://secure.grantbooks.com/

John

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:40 am
by ur2ndbiggestfan
It must have been a shock to see that damage when you opened the book! My sympathies.

I still have quite a few signed King's still in the original shrinkwrap, but I can't seem to get myself to open them, I don't know why.

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:50 am
by ELazansky
I've open all of my books. I like to actually look at the book, the details, the quality, etc. That's what books are for, or at least that's my opinion.

The only book I haven't opened is my Salem's Lot Gift Edition. I don't know why I haven't opened it. It just looks so nice still wrapped up.

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:21 am
by George at C-Springs
Yeah, I was pretty shocked ... I have never opened a sealed book and seen anything like this. And to top it off it didn't have a remarque, so that just added to my bad afternoon.

I'll open my books for a few reasons. First, if it's not a rare copy, something I can easily replace sealed if I really wanted to (like this DT VII) then I'll open it. Since keeping it sealed for a long time won't necessarily increase it's resale value (if I were to do that), there's not much point in keeping it closed I don't think. Yes, it may keep it a bit cleaner in the long term, and probably protect it a bit from shelf damage, but I can do the same with a Brodart cover or a slipcase ... and with those I can still open the book and admire it (or show it off, as the case may be).

I'll also open to find out what number I got, and to look for that remarque. I would kick myself in the butt if I were to hold a book for 10, 15, 20 years and then find out after I gave it to my kids or sold it that there was a full page Whelan in there or that it was #19. Besides, if you've been following one of the other posts, how are we ever going to verify that there actually were remarques in Little Sisters of Eluria if everybody keeps their copies sealed? (All I got was a stinkin' #1076).

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:16 am
by TheCollector
Okay I've got to share,

I had a dream last night that I was reading this thread and someone opened up their copy and found a full color Whelan remarque of similar quality to the more detailed Ned Dameron remarques that have been up for sale.

For whatever reason the image just flashed in front of me for a split second, it was Roland with Jake and Oy in a clearing of trees.

What this says about me or my dreams idk :) but first time I've ever had a dream about seeing a remarque! Crazy.

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:40 pm
by ur2ndbiggestfan
Here are the books I have still in the original shrinkwrap. Which one does your dream say has the color remarque in it?

WIZARD & GLASS signed, numbered
THE DARK TOWER signed & numbered
THE DARK TOWER Grant 1st trade edition
THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA signed & numbered
THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA trade edition

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 1:34 am
by Mr. Rabbit Trick
None of them. Especially as they were done by different artists. It's more likely that the signature page is missing, than having a "remarque" on it.

The Little Sisters "remarques" were a marketing ploy by Grant.

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:24 am
by jhanic
Little Sisters was illustrated by Whelan, but no-one that I know of has seen a full-page remarque on any copies at all.

John

Re: Why You Should Open Those Shrink Wrapped Copies

Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 1:07 pm
by George at C-Springs
Tomas, maybe the dream wasn't about the remarque; sounds more like you were seeing the clearing at the end of the path.

Sleep well.