iHaveAnInklingBooks.com

Mark (not sure if that's your name, but taking a guess)-  (Yes, my name is Mark.)

Okay, I've got my first Hobbit question to see if you can help (don't worry, this won't be a daily occurence). I'm having a hard time figuring out the 1973 Houghton Mifflin Collector's Edition (not the gold 50th, just the regular green one). I know there are like 20 impressions or so, but do you know which year each impression was published and why there is such a difference in price between seemingly similar books? And do you have any idea what these prices should run, for say the 1st impression vs. the 9th or 20th or whatever? Here's a list of some on Abebooks, and I just can't make sense of it. http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?bx=off&ds=30&bi=0&pn=houghton+mifflin&an=tolkien&y=13&isbn=0395177111&tn=the+hobbit&sortby=1&x=84 Thanks so much for your time and help. Please don't feel any need to get back to me quickly and I'll be thankful for whatever knowledge you can pass my way.

Interesting question. I sold a First Printing not too long ago. You can view what I said about it here (available to view for a limited time): http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120098046065

It took me awhile to figure these out myself!  Houghton Mifflin has a nasty habit of being inconsistent, but usually their First Printings are easy to recognize, at least though the 1980's. (And they don't usually date later printings. I have been unable to find a list anywhere that shows the dates of the printings.) For this Collectors Edition, the first three printings are spelled out: First Collectors Printing; Second Collectors Printing; Third Collectors Printing. After that they use a Printing code line such as 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 with the lowest number indicating the Printing Number. If neither of these is present, it is a Book Club Edition. I have not bought one of these "Brand New" from a Bookstore recently, so I am not sure if Houghton Mifflin is continuing the number line or not. I do know they have been doing some strange things recently, like setting their printing number back to 1 for the Lost Tales books without indicating a new edition or updating the copyright date! But that's another story.

My description in the closed auction also has some helpful (I hope.) information. I probably could have gotten more for that First Printing, but I wanted to move it quickly. As far as how much these are worth, don't go by Abebooks. You can find some great bargains there, but there are some sellers who are charging outrageous prices -- either because the sellers don't know any better, or are trying to take advantage of uninformed buyers. There are other sellers who have no idea they have something of value, and just want to get rid of it. It's also very hard to tell what the actual condition of the book is on those type of sites -- and condition means a lot.
 
The value of a book is very hard to judge. "One man's trash is another man's treasure." I have seen books sell for high prices on eBay, and then the next week the same book won't sell for dirt cheap! Then three months later there is in demand again. I have to send a lot of time "holding my finger in the air" to see which way the wind is blowing, and it is constantly shifting!

Sorry this has been a bit of a rambling note. I hope this made some sense and you are able to get something of value out of what I said.

I just had a thought. Would you mind if I posted your question and my reply on eBay? I am thinking about starting a Blog for my eBay Store, and this might be a good way to "kick it off". I would keep your identity private. If you would rather I not post this, that's fine.

Mark Sommer
marksbooksnsuch
iHaveAnInklingBooks.com

Mark-

Wow.  All I can say is thank you so much.  That was awesome!  I never knew that stuff and I can't tell you how interesting that is to me.  Man, thank you so much!  And don't ever apologize for rambling, because all of what you wrote was incredible and I never would have known.  Where'd you get all that info from?  Seriously, thanks a ton.  Unfortunately, you've guaranteed that I'll be coming to you first for any similar questions I have.

And feel free to post this to your blog.  Heck, all I did was ask the question.  You can even use my name and email address if you'd like.  I'll be your "extremely satisfied customer" or whatever.  All I ask is that you send me the link to your blog.  Thanks again Mark, it really does mean a lot.  Have a great weekend!

-Art