Thread Name: MODERN LIBRARY FIRST EDITIONS: QUICK DJ GUIDE From: BooksetcSF@removed> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 00:29:36 EDT Economics 101. Books, or anything else for that matter, are not valuable because they are scarce, but because they are scarce in relation to demand. Napoleon's signature is not particularly rare, but it is quite expensive because many people want it. In the Modern Library the second edition of LITTLE WOMEN, is much rarer (I believe) than the first. But who cares? Most people want the first. However, in my experience as a book dealer, many people collect only hard cover ML or in some cases just Bluementhal. These people want the hard covers of titles like Jurgen, Crime of Sylvester Bonard, Power etc, though the firsts are in balloon cloth and in fact easier to find. That is why I have priced some ML in later editions as more expensive than the actual firsts. However, if the binding style in the first was not different to a later edition, though perhaps more difficult to find, it would be considerably cheaper, simply because fewer people are interested. Again, in my experience the most difficult Modern Library to find are the Buckram Giants without library markings all over them. Probably even more difficult than Boni Liveright in dj. But who cares. Few people collect Buckram Giants. One of the problems I have had in scouting is that I do not have a Price Guide on me and when I see an ML first I do not know if the dust jacket is the correct one for that particular book. As a result I have compiled a one sheet piece of stiff card with all the Modern Library (Regular series and Giants between 1917 - 1999 inclusive) on it, which tells you what the number (or price for the later titles) on the dj should be for a specific ML first. You can put the thing in your pocket or bag and it's there when you want it. Nearly 1300 books are listed and the script is 10 pt, so that it is quite readable to most people. The cost is $1.50 and includes postage. 5 copies would be $5, also to include postage. Forgive me this commercialism, but I do think this Guide useful as I feel sure many have been in a similar predicament to mine when scouting. -------------------------------------