Posts: 893
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-25-2004 07:57 AM               

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Was there a book club edition of Michael Collins book Carrying the Fire? If so what can I look for to make sure my copy is not a book club edition?

Thanks.

Mike

Posts: 502
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000

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posted 01-26-2004 01:50 PM               

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Some Book Club editions (especially those I have owned from 20-30 years ago) are smaller in size than their non-Club counterparts and may be glued instead of cloth stiched at the binding.

Bernie

Posts: 893
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-26-2004 08:46 PM               

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I did not have a copy of Carrying the Fire so I purchased one. The dust jacket was price clipped. The book measures 6 1/4" by 9 1/8". As soon as I got it I placed it in the mail so I can't check for a star or a square. I hope I am not paying to have a book club edition autographed.

I guess I could check the size against other copies to see if there is a smaller version. Thanks for your suggestions.

Mike

Posts: 502
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000

Posts: 494
From: Highland Heights, KY
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 01-27-2004 11:34 AM               

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I have one that states copyright 1974 and it is third printing. Besides the obvious, am I missing anything else?

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Evan

Posts: 893
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-28-2004 10:20 PM               

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That 1974 third edition seems to be a popular one. That is what mine is and I have seen many of them listed at used book dealers. I did a search on a popular used book network and I did not see any copies of Carrying the Fire listed as being a book club editions. I think mine must not be a book club but I will look again when I get it back from Nova Space.

Mike

Posts: 365
From: McLean, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

Posts: 114
From: Edison, New Jersey
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 03-02-2007 09:55 PM               

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I have a 1st/1st signed by Collins from the last Novaspace signing. Cost $195.00 for Collins to sign it.

Email Kim when the next one will be.

The book on ebay. I would be more concerned about the condition of the book. You can alway get another dust jacket. If its in good condition the price is good. Request scans of the book with out the covers. I purchased mine with a torn front page and paid $5.00 to have the book restored to original condition. Book clubs are not marked with an edition or a printing. The one on ebay shows edition and printing. Make sure it's not an ex-library book.

Posts: 497
From: Delft, Netherlands
Registered: Apr 2001

Posts: 96
From: Toronto, Ontario , Canada
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 03-03-2007 12:10 PM               

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My understanding , as a neophyte book collector, is that while the book club books are complete, they are usually lower quality, and smaller in overall size, (to reduce weight, for cheaper shipping ?)than the publisher editions. To a serious book collector, these are basically not worth collecting....sort of like softcover, paperback or trade paperback books. That being said...if you are collecting for yourself, and not as an investment, then there really isn't anything wrong with them at all. I have a few , as I have been an on and off book club member, but if I come across a publisher edition hardcover on ebay or at a used book store, I'll generally replace it if I really like the book. Then donate the book club copy to a library, or give it away to someone. As I said I do collect books, and if it were in my means I would pay serious $$$ for a signed first edition of a book I really want.

On a personal note.....as a major anal-retentive, borderline OCD type of book collector...it annoys the heck out of me to have a nice row of hardocver books on my shelves and then a smaller book club edition to spoil the symetry of my bookshelf...also approaching mid 40's...the print is smaller.....those who are my age will know what I mean..

My 2 cents......don't spend it all in one place, and sorry to hi-jack the thread....

Pete

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Peter
Toronto, Canada

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posted 03-27-2007 03:36 AM               

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Sorry for digging this thread out...

Question: How much is a *British* first edition of Carrying the Fire worth? "W.H. Allen, London, 1975, First British Edition" unsigned.

Thanks!
Philip

Posts: 932
From: South Bend, IN United States of America
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 04-10-2007 03:26 PM               

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I always thought that "book club" editions had the ratty, uneven pages on the open ends....and that the quality of the paper used (except for "wartime" editions), was of a lesser quality....yellowed faster, etc.

GB