Do I ask the publisher for a new copy or would that be stupid?

November 11, 2009 5:57 PM

Book Collectors: Is my new signed collector's edition book more or less valuable with a cutting machine error?

I received a wonderful present: A signed collector's edition of "Under the Dome" by Stephen King. It also came with a set of collector cards. The set came directly from the publisher. So I'm not really a book collector, but I'm delighted to have this copy.

I noticed that there are about 10 pages that were cut wrong. The cutting machine left a triangle shaped tag on the top corner of these pages.

I took a picture so you can see what the error looks like.

Do I ask for a new copy or is it better to keep this one -- just in terms of future value?

posted by trixare4kids to grab bag (3 comments total)

Eh. I deal with rare and used books every day and that's an extremely minor error that I seriously doubt will affect value at all. We certainly don't value them above other editions. The errors that tend to increase value are text correction errors in the print or binding - for example, errors in the first batch of a first printing that are caught and corrected in the rest of the first printing. That kind of thing (a "first state" error) can dramatically increase the value of a book.

Your paper cut error? Not that rare or interesting.
posted by mediareport at 6:24 PM on November 11

Oh, and when we see that kind of paper cut error? We just trim it off before selling the book.
posted by mediareport at 6:27 PM on November 11

Thanks for your help, mediareport, I appreciate it.
posted by trixare4kids at 10:29 PM on November 11