Help--can anybody tell me?

"Rich Horton" <rrhorton.TakeThisOut@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:6f9eg1hppclb42hif2avc5tuil52j0ekn9@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 11:49:12 GMT, "Valerie"
> <postalval.REMOVE..TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>I've got a copy of 'I, Robot', the 35 cent Signet paperback from 1950--and
>>apparently it's the first paperback version. It's signed by Asimov. I've
>>had
>>it for a long time and never been able to find out what it's worth.
>>
>>Does anyone know?
>>
>>Really neat on the back cover--it says, "Isaac Asimov (you should see the
>>picture) one of the outstanding imaginative writers today, is also a
>>biochemist and teacher at the Boston University School of Medicine..."
>
> Are you sure the paperback edition itself dates from 1950? That seems
> unlikely.
>
> As far as I can tell (not very authoritatively) the first Signet
> edition was 1956.

Sorry, you're right. 'First printing, March, 1956'

> In Very Good condition that might go for $30 to $75 (unsigned). I
> don't really have a feel for how much Asimov's signature would
> increase the value.

It's in Very Good (at least) condition--and here we reach the problem. How
much DOES Asimov's signature raise the value of an almost fifty year-old pb?

Is there anyplace online I can ask?

Valerie

>
> A first edition of the 1950 Gnome Press hardcover, in Fine condition
> with DJ, can go for up to $4500, according to Abebooks.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Help--can anybody tell me? 

My experience is that Asimov's signature is worth $35 to $50 depending
what it's on and the rarity of the base item.

Remember, Isaac signed just about everything in sight, especially when
he attended SF conventions in his area. It was quipped once that he
signed so many things that a book WITHOUT his signature was worth more
than the same item with it.

Of course, he isn't signing much these days.

I found the edition of the book on line for about $15, plus perhaps $35
for the signature would make it worth about $50.
 >> Stay informed about: Help--can anybody tell me? 

"Sherm Pendley" <sherm.RemoveThis@dot-app.org> wrote in message
news:m24q9kle3u.fsf@Sherm-Pendleys-Computer.local...
> "Valerie" <postalval.REMOVE..RemoveThis@yahoo.com> writes:

> That text, presumably from the copyright page in the book, gives the date
> of the first printing for that edition, but it doesn't always mean that
> what you have is a first printing.
>
> At the bottom of the copyright page, there is often a row of numbers, like
> this (or similar):
>
> 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

There isn't.

> The last number is the printing - the above, for example, would be from a
> fourth printing.
>
>> It's in Very Good (at least) condition--and here we reach the problem.
>> How
>> much DOES Asimov's signature raise the value of an almost fifty year-old
>> pb?
>
> If you're within a reasonable distance of a major metro area, odds are
> good
> that there's a collectable book dealer somewhere close to you. I'd take
> the
> book in and have them grade its condition and estimate its value.
>
> sherm--

Guess that's what I'll do. None of the online searches have this book.

V
 >> Stay informed about: Help--can anybody tell me? 

e4e5.RemoveThis@direcway.com wrote:
> It was quipped once that he signed so many things that a book WITHOUT
> his signature was worth more than the same item with it.

Hmm, never heard that about Asimov, though they used to say the same
about Terry Pratchett (he was in the habit to go to Forbidden Planet,
a large London SF ( & Fantasy, etc.) specialty shop, and sign all of
his books that were on sale there!).
--
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** Eef Hartman, Delft University of Technology, dept. EWI/TW **
** e-mail: E.J.M.Hartman.RemoveThis@math.tudelft.nl, fax: +31-15-278 7295 **
** snail-mail: P.O. Box 5031, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands **
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 >> Stay informed about: Help--can anybody tell me? 

"Eef Hartman" <E.J.M.Hartman DeleteThis @math.tudelft.nl> wrote in message
news:10d6e$430b12b5$82a1d217$10152@news1.tudelft.nl...
> e4e5 DeleteThis @direcway.com wrote:
>> It was quipped once that he signed so many things that a book WITHOUT
>> his signature was worth more than the same item with it.
>
> Hmm, never heard that about Asimov, though they used to say the same
> about Terry Pratchett (he was in the habit to go to Forbidden Planet,
> a large London SF ( & Fantasy, etc.) specialty shop, and sign all of
> his books that were on sale there!).

Hah! I've got some Practchetts, too....

Valerie
 >> Stay informed about: Help--can anybody tell me?