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Re: RARA-AVIS: Debate on book prices
I have paid some decent and expensive (not more than $150) for
some books :
The Return of the Continential Op ($20)
The Adventures of Sam Spade ($40)
(has anyone read either of these 2 books? I still have them on layaway)
For Tomorrow I die (Spillane) ($18 for 1st edition)
For Tomorrow I die (Spillane) (numbered & autographed) ($125)
I was allowed by my local used bookseller to put these items on
layaway. The $125 Spillane book I found out later that I could've
purchased a lettered copy for the same price (1 in 26 instead of
1 of 150). There are several reasons why I bought the above books:
1. I'm big fans of each of these authors and I searched & searched
for these books.
2. Also to support my local bookseller. He has given me speical prices
and put stuff on layaway for me. I've been going to him for the last 10
years
or so, since high school!
So -> both arguments for _THE GLASS KEY_ are correct, depending
on which side of the counter your on.
Let's keep things peaceful around here. I do agree that some books
are overpriced but then again so are the new vehicles! IF you really want
an item whether it's a book, a car or a house you'll purchase it or at
least attempt to find away.
Please DO NOT START SPAMMING ME. I have enough stuff going
on with system crashing, finals, getting married and attempt to
purchase a house. IF you agree or don't let's do it with the
air of discussion rather than in the heat of battle.
-Paul.
On Tue, 6 May 1997 16:12:53 EST "DOUGLAS GREENE"
<dgg100f@hamlet.bal.odu.edu> writes:
>Hmmm, since people are getting testy, I should point out that James
>Mountain wrote the following, not Doug Greene. Might I add however
>that I have bought from Mountain Books--a fine dealer, who even if
>they are trying to put food on the table do not overprice their
>books.
>
>I hope some others get into the debate about prices on old and nearly
>contemporary "rare" books. Economics, supply and demand, is of
>course a major part. But to me the question is: "is the demand
>justified by anything other than 'it's there'?" Do the books in
>demand have literary and/or historical value?
>
>My previous comment is buried in some past postings. Look it up. I
>seem to recall it as utterly briilliant, but it probably wasn't.
>
>Following are James Mountain's and Curtis Leung's comments:
>
>> Doug Greene (or is it James Mountain?) writes:
>>
>> >Oh stop, I'm getting all weepy. I want a Lear jet, and yet poor
>> >little Bookseller me can't afford one. And mean old rich guy can.
>> >It's so unfair.
>> >You have to answer to the demands of faculty, students and the
>> >general public? It must be really frustrating for you. Making a
>> >liveing from bookselling can be really frustrating too. Your
>> >job doesn't hinge on whether or not you can pick up a copy of The
>> >Glass Key. You still get paid, you just suffer in self pity .
>> >You're not spending YOUR OWN MONEY on these books either.
>> >Stop whining. If I have a copy of the Glass Key, it means I've paid
>
>> >for it with my own money, and now I've got to find a price that
>> >will pay rent, put food on the table etc. I'd love for your
>Library
>> >to have first in jacket of all the books you want, but really,
>> >nothing really changes if you don't. No one starves, no one
>struggles
>> >to find rent.
>>
>> So who's forcing you to be a bookseller? James Stephenson
>simply
>> stated his _responsibilities_ as an academic librarian to the people
>he
>> _serves_; you're the one bringing up rent and food on the table --
>and that
>> makes _you_ the one who's whining.
>>
>> I'm not a collector, but if I'm ever in the market for rare
>or first
>> edition books, I'll make sure to remember you -- as someone not to
>buy from.
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> Curtiss Leung (212)267-7722 Voice
>> hleung@prolifics.com (212)608-6753 Fax
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> An idea whose time has come has no time to waste. - T. W. Adorno
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>>
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