To catch a thief first edition (book)

[Ogami_Itto]

so i am pretty stoked to show you guys what i found today, i went to a small auction that got cancelled for lack of bidders. As i was looking around at the movie posters and art they had for sale i went to a book rack full of older looking books and i happened upon this first edition to catch a thief (needless to say i was excited), but when i held the book up and said "how much are your books?" she asked me what rack i got it off and i told her, she said 2 dollars i about did a backflip but i kept my cool

well anyway here she is. I figured this would be right up a few peoples alley here.

[CSM]

Very cool.  Too bad about the dust jacket

[eatbrie]

This is awesome, dude, and I tell you who's going to love it: Holiday.  He collects first edition books and, I believe, owns quite a few of them.

T

[Disheveledamethyst]

Very cool.  Too bad about the dust jacket

I wouldn't feel too bad about the dust jacket. Dust jackets, especially for old books, rarely survive. I'm always looking for/at first printings for The Great Gatsby that never have their dust jackets. All the information I've gathered about first edition books is that if it has its dust jacket, or even just part of it in any condition, the value skyrockets. A 1st printing Gatsby goes from $2,000-$3,000 to $10,000-$12,000 with a dust jacket.

Also, your book appears to be in phenomenal condition. Give the pages a flip through and see how the inner-paper is holding up. If there's no writing, torn pages, or water damage you might have just found something very valuable.

I'm extremely happy for you, and I'm also extremely happy the book you found didn't happen to be my precious Great Gatsby. I would have been unable to be happy for you and probably cried whenever I saw your posts.

[CSM]

I wouldn't feel too bad about the dust jacket. Dust jackets, especially for old books, rarely survive. I'm always looking for/at first printings for The Great Gatsby that never have their dust jackets. All the information I've gathered about first edition books is that if it has its dust jacket, or even just part of it in any condition, the value skyrockets. A 1st printing Gatsby goes from $2,000-$3,000 to $10,000-$12,000 with a dust jacket.

Hence why I said "too bad" - still a nice find no doubt!

[Disheveledamethyst]

Hence why I said "too bad" - still a nice find no doubt!

Sorry, I think I misread what you meant. I'm looking stupid a lot today.

[Ogami_Itto]

thanks for the comments guys.

it is unfortunate about the dust cover but for two dollars hey....

 the very first page of the book has a small amount of writing


and the cover is discolored


other than that i haven't seen any more writing, no missing pages ect..

as for value there are two on ebay
one for $299
http://cgi.ebay.com/catch-thief-By-David-Dodge-1951-1952-1st-edition-/220452111876?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item3353f84604#ht_2177wt_1148

and one for $499
http://cgi.ebay.com/David-Dodge-CATCH-THIEF-1952-Stated-1st-Printing-/120437804675?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item1c0aa70e83#ht_1855wt_904

[brude]

Great book...and a steal for @...

The second Ebay listing posted this in their ad:

'Published by  Random House, 1952

States "First Printing." However, I believe this is a First Printing of the book club edition because normally a Random House First Edition would state "First Edition."'

Do any antiquarian book dealers know if this statement is true?

[Ogami_Itto]

Great book...and a steal for @...

The second Ebay listing posted this in their ad:

'Published by  Random House, 1952

States "First Printing." However, I believe this is a First Printing of the book club edition because normally a Random House First Edition would state "First Edition."'

Do any antiquarian book dealers know if this statement is true?

thanks

i dont think it is , mostly because i just found this auction with the dust cover and it does not say book club anywhere
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=290540477758&nma=true&rt=nc&si=53nWQudTO8I%252Fc3xFp8xNaCgdt84%253D#ht_1082wt_904

wikipedia has the editions listed here and there is nothing about a book club release.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Catch_a_Thief_(novel)#Editions


also that guy wants 500 he's crazy anyway, he thinks it is a book club edition and still wants that much for it.

[CSM]

I'll give you $3.00 for it?  Think about it - that's a 50% profit!

[jayn_j]

A good find.  I have a few first editions.  Some I bought new, some I inherited.  The most notable is a first edition of Peter and Wendy.  I read it as a child, and my kids read it, although it was always handled carefully.

If you look on ebay though, you will see that a first edition P&W is not really rare.  There are always a few up for sale, and ignoring the dreamers, it seems to go for around $150.  Not sure the market is the same for old books that it is for posters.

[brude]

also that guy wants 500 he's crazy anyway, he thinks it is a book club edition and still wants that much for it.

Mucho loco.
Again, great book, Evan!

[erik1925]

so i am pretty stoked to show you guys what i found today, i went to a small auction that got cancelled for lack of bidders. As i was looking around at the movie posters and art they had for sale i went to a book rack full of older looking books and i happened upon this first edition to catch a thief (needless to say i was excited), but when i held the book up and said "how much are your books?" she asked me what rack i got it off and i told her, she said 2 dollars i about did a backflip but i kept my cool

well anyway here she is. I figured this would be right up a few peoples alley here.

Nice find, Ogami..      I just happened to look at this thread this AM. Finding older books like this is great to do and fun, as well. I love looking thru old book sales, in the hopes of finding a hidden first edition of something rare or even finding something quite old, and unique.

And as some have noted, the dust jacket (or lack thereof) makes a boatload of difference in value.. Amazing what a paper "skin" can add to its $$, isnt it?  

Jeff