is an imperfect first edition worth anything?

December 6, 2008 12:13 PM

How much is this first edition Infinite Jest worth if it's not in perfect condition?

I just started selling books on Amazon and since I have 2 copies of Infinite Jest (one paperback, one hardcover) I thought I'd sell the slightly more cumbersome hardcover. On looking at other sales of IJ, it seems that first editions with William T. Vollmann's name incorrectly spelled "Vollman" on the back panel are worth a lot of money. My copy has those features, but its not in perfect condition. It's not torn or dogeared, but the dust jacket is a little worn and there's some slight discoloration.

Th worst part though is that my ex-boyfriend wrote a sentence on the very last blank page. Looks like just a thought or something, but it's in PEN (argh!). Does this completely take away any of this book's value?

Wallace is my favorite author so part of me thinks its kind of disrespectful to sell this anyway, and I dont think I will. But I was curious just in case, you know, I get laid off like everyone else and get desperate.

posted by minicloud to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

It's hard to judge what a book is worth from listings like Amazon. Because people will list books for very high prices on the "all it takes is one!" theory that maybe somebody will be foolish enough to pay more than it is worth.

A better guide is the price it fetches on Ebay.

Here is a link to what is claimed to be a fine in fine dust jacket of the same 1st edition you have, with Vollmann's name spelled incorrectly etc. It is also signed, but signatures are usually not that big a draw (easily faked, etc) except in certain rare cases. I don't know if Wallace is one of those cases but I'd guess not. So watch what price this book fetches and adjust your expectation accordingly given that your book is in significantly worse condition. It will not be worth as much as this example fetches.

Yes, your boyfriend writing in the book (in pen!) does detract from the book's appeal. How much I can't say. Certainly, however, writing in your book in pen is sufficient justification in and of itself for him being an EX boyfriend.
posted by Justinian at 12:25 PM on December 6, 2008

On further thought, the Wallace signature may increase the price a little at this point in time since he just killed himself and all. So subtract a little more from your expectation once this auction ends.
posted by Justinian at 12:27 PM on December 6, 2008

Two first editions sold recently on eBay for $31 and $41 respectively. The one that went for $41 was signed.

Not sure about the Vollman vs. Vollmann printing, but I can't imagine that adds much more value. We're talking books here, not baseball cards or stamps - where typos matter a lot.
posted by wfrgms at 12:31 PM on December 6, 2008

Signatures are a draw, even with contemporary writers. Especially when they've just shuffled off.

As with almost everything, sold lots on eBay indicate what you can expect to get for an item. The inscription won't help, but it will depend on the buyer whether it is a major put off or not.
posted by fire&wings at 12:57 PM on December 6, 2008

AbeBooks tends to be a good indicator of what various editions/features of books are going for. Example of yours.
posted by meerkatty at 4:40 PM on December 6, 2008

We're talking books here, not baseball cards or stamps - where typos matter a lot.

I'm not a bibilophile, but I know from my days in record-collecting the vast sums mispresses, LPs with the label printed just off-centre and incorrect credits garnered.
posted by mippy at 10:06 AM on December 8, 2008

Oh, if anyone is still paying attention to this thread, the book up for auction with the type-o went for $500. So, I stand corrected...
posted by wfrgms at 10:54 AM on December 25, 2008