Collector alert--many desirable early LEC volumes
Talk George Macy devotees
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1Django6924
Perhaps I should say right off the bat that although many of these LECs listed on eBay by downtownbooks-milw are ones that a true LEC aficionado would love to have, the starting prices are, in my opinion, unreasonable considering their condition: For Whom the Bell Tolls- $299, Rockwell Kent-illustrated Erewhon-$199, the Alexander King-illustrated The Brothers Karamazov-$299, the Steichen Walden-$999, The Diary of Samuel Pepys-$399, and the Arthur Szyk Arabian Nights Entertainments (and only 2 volumes of the 4 volume set)-$149.
These are prices one would expect to pay for Fine editions w/ slipcase (and ephemera), yet all these look worn, and most are minus slipcase. An interesting conjecture is that they are from a single member's collection which the seller acquired--a member from the great period of Macy's tenure--and that though these books were read, they may be internally in very good condition (and books from an original owner's collection are generally more desirable than a volume that has seen some mileage).
I have bought a few books (Heritage Press) from this seller in the past, and I found him to be reputable though not particularly knowledgeable when it comes to fine press books. He also does say "Best Offer" and I once offered him half of his listed price for a first edition Heritage Press book and he accepted.
If you are fussy about condition, then this definitely isn't for you, but there are some rare items here. The seller states: "We consider all offers in relation to current market values. We try to respond almost immediately to most offers. Most of my counteroffers are firm but I am open to bargaining," and I found this to be the case in my dealings.
I have no interest in seeing these sold, and am just bringing it to your attention because some of these items are very hard to find.
These are prices one would expect to pay for Fine editions w/ slipcase (and ephemera), yet all these look worn, and most are minus slipcase. An interesting conjecture is that they are from a single member's collection which the seller acquired--a member from the great period of Macy's tenure--and that though these books were read, they may be internally in very good condition (and books from an original owner's collection are generally more desirable than a volume that has seen some mileage).
I have bought a few books (Heritage Press) from this seller in the past, and I found him to be reputable though not particularly knowledgeable when it comes to fine press books. He also does say "Best Offer" and I once offered him half of his listed price for a first edition Heritage Press book and he accepted.
If you are fussy about condition, then this definitely isn't for you, but there are some rare items here. The seller states: "We consider all offers in relation to current market values. We try to respond almost immediately to most offers. Most of my counteroffers are firm but I am open to bargaining," and I found this to be the case in my dealings.
I have no interest in seeing these sold, and am just bringing it to your attention because some of these items are very hard to find.
2leccol
Django, read my post in another thread of how we older LEC seekers endured shopping by mail before the internet. I have all the books in your list except the Pepys, but I only paid about half of what the seller is asking. They read like the seller is an older bookseller who is somewhat out of touch with the current market value of LECs.
3featherwate
I've bought three books from Keith of downtownbooks, the first of them nearly seven years ago in the days when I collected English 'Golden Age' detective stories. The price was reasonable – indeed when the book arrived it was better than his description of it. Unfortunately he didn't have any more of the genre in stock!
More recently I've bought a Heritage Press volume and one of the Rodale Story Classics (for which he accepted an offer). Both were in very good condition inside and out.
$200 dollars for the Erewhon seems the ebay starting point (though all three of the current sellers offer Best Offer which suggests their Buy Now price may be open to negotiation). There are many lower prices on Abe but few of the entries are accompanied by even one photo. downtownbooks usually carry several of each book, which shifts the advantage a bit towards the buyer!
More recently I've bought a Heritage Press volume and one of the Rodale Story Classics (for which he accepted an offer). Both were in very good condition inside and out.
$200 dollars for the Erewhon seems the ebay starting point (though all three of the current sellers offer Best Offer which suggests their Buy Now price may be open to negotiation). There are many lower prices on Abe but few of the entries are accompanied by even one photo. downtownbooks usually carry several of each book, which shifts the advantage a bit towards the buyer!
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