Decent prices spotted

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Decent prices spotted

1lecinprogress
Oct 23, 2020, 9:30 pm

Found a couple of well-priced early Schiff era books by this eBay seller. All are in my collection, but maybe another devotee will find this useful.

seller:climbingdiving

On a related subject - how do folks in this group feel about sharing buying tips / links? A few posts indicated that people don’t like sharing their favorite bookstores, but perhaps online world doesn’t need to be as secretive..

2JedediahG
Oct 24, 2020, 9:52 pm

Thanks! Those look great. I don’t really have any good tips as a novice collector but of course I’d always be grateful for any that people were willing to share.

3GusLogan
Oct 29, 2020, 1:38 am

>1 lecinprogress:

All for it, given it doesn’t overwhelm the forum and is judicious (as I felt this tip to be!).

4Glacierman
Oct 29, 2020, 5:17 pm

In case someone here is not aware of them, these bookstores are worth checking out: Oak Knoll, Colophon Book Shop, Kelmscott Bookshop, Heritage Book Shop, and Carol Grossman's shop, Four Rivers Books. Her website is under re-construction, but her contact information is available at that URL. She's the author of the LEC history recently published and she specializes in private press and LEC, naturally.

There are many others to be found out there. DuckDuckGo is your friend. Surf/search anonymously. The websites for the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America and the Fine Press Book Association can also point you to good booksellers. Happy hunting!

5AMindForeverVoyaging
Nov 14, 2020, 9:20 am

This seller is practically giving away two LECs (Ah, Wilderness and The House of Mirth) - https://www.ebay.com/sch/lonemoonbooks/m.html?item=164511211746&ul_noapp=tru.... The slipcases are a bit beat up but the books themselves, in their glassines, look very nice. I would have grabbed them quickly except that I already own them.

6lecinprogress
Dec 1, 2020, 10:12 am

Anna Karenina (1933) in Good condition (potentially ex-public-library): https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30782743565&searchurl=pn%3...

7Addison372
Edited: Dec 3, 2020, 5:56 pm

>5 AMindForeverVoyaging: Lonemoonbooks had "A Tour of the Hebrides" that sold for $5 a few weeks later! Do we sense a trend?

8GusLogan
Edited: Mar 29, 2022, 3:14 pm

Someone just listed The Wind in the Willows LEC for 115 USD on eBay. No slipcase, bad pictures, foxing or spotting on spine… but not a bad price for this title even so?
Edit: Gone.

9Lukas1990
Edited: Mar 29, 2022, 4:14 pm

>8 GusLogan: I decided to give it a chance. The spine doesn't look very bad. I'll may find a skilled person to regilt the title. I've seen very similar looking books go for 600$. The seller accepted my offer of 93$.

Wish I could rebind it like this: https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31070850023&clickid=wALyaQ...

10GusLogan
Mar 29, 2022, 4:15 pm

>9 Lukas1990:
Good for you! Hope the text block is surgical theatre clean.

11MobyRichard
Mar 29, 2022, 4:19 pm

>9 Lukas1990:

Lol, maybe try asking Peter Harrington. Leather onlays are probably way out of most our price ranges, but I wonder if you could get a nice blocked illustration in gilt for cheaper...I assume they hold onto all their blocks or tools or whatever so it's just a matter of restamping.

12Lukas1990
Mar 29, 2022, 4:33 pm

>10 GusLogan: I've contacted the seller and he assured me the inside of the book is OK. Judging from the photos it really looks OK. I think it's a great deal.

13BionicJim
Edited: Apr 25, 2022, 11:08 pm

Notre-Dame de Paris 1930 $109

This is a great price on the "French-Style" publication that was so controversial in the first year of The Limited Editions Club. It's two volumes ready to be bound, but I've never seen one that is bound.

This one is missing the original slip-case, which I have and wouldn't say you are missing much. It's in a custom case, where you could leave it or be one of the few to have these bound the way they were intended.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185236580904?hash=item2b20f5ea28:g:NwQAAOSwlWZhzeIt

Just to clarify I am not affiliated with this seller. I have a copy of this edition and it is truly beautiful.

14MobyRichard
Edited: Apr 26, 2022, 12:17 am

>13 BionicJim:

Peter Harrington booksellers had a leather bound copy listed at one point. I don't remember if it was one of the copies Macy and LEC rebound for unhappy subscribers or if it was a later custom binding.

15Lukas1990
Apr 26, 2022, 2:52 am

>13 BionicJim: That's a decent price and the books are in a pretty good condition. No wonder it's sold!

16ExLibrisDavid
Apr 29, 2022, 2:30 pm

>13 BionicJim: Thanks for the tip, it's on it's way to me now!

17dlphcoracl
Edited: May 6, 2022, 2:07 pm

>13 BionicJim:

As BionicJim noted above, the French soft cover bindings were not a hit with many of the LEC faithful. As a result, rebinding was not uncommon and these copies will occasionally hit the secondary market. Frankly, I find the original French-style bindings elegant but they are quite fragile and have not worn well over the years. It is quite rare to find copies in fine or NF condition and most of them have some degree of soiling, rubbing, tearing, etc.

Several years ago, I found a copy that had been rebound in full morocco with black leather and gilt spine labels and marbled paper paste downs and endpapers. If you find a copy with a binding in poor condition that remains in fine condition internally, rebinding this wonderful edition is a viable option.





18BionicJim
May 6, 2022, 2:12 pm

Beautiful. It must be a pleasure to hold such a luxurious volume in hand. I’ve kept mine un-bound because it’s a good conversation piece about the French book trade, but I think I will have to find another example of that system and do something like this with the 1930 Norte-Dame.

19GusLogan
Edited: Jun 4, 2022, 7:23 am

A fine copy of The Voice of the City was just listed on Abebooks and Biblio - on Biblio it’s under 80 USD with the member’s discount. It often goes for much more, and perhaps someone here is looking for it. No connection to seller.
Edit: Gone.

There have also been some unusually reasonable copies of Lewis & Clark of late.

20Lukas1990
Jul 21, 2022, 5:50 am

Looks like a good deal - both The Illiad and Odyssey for only 180$. Not the best condition though because the spines are a bit sunned.

https://www.biblio.com/book/limited-editions-club-iliad-homer-odyssey/d/14738931...

21GusLogan
Jul 21, 2022, 8:57 am

>20 Lukas1990:
And a bit less than that with a Biblio membership. Nice - not for me (I want this Iliad but prefer the Lawrence translation Odyssey) but I considered it - so thanks! Hope someone else goes for it.

22MobyRichard
Jul 21, 2022, 2:20 pm

>20 Lukas1990:

Definitely worth it.

You might be interested in this article if you haven't seen it yet:

https://booksandvines.com/2015/06/22/odyssey-and-iliad-by-homer-limited-editions...

23Lukas1990
Jul 21, 2022, 4:33 pm

Gone! Hope it's someone from our group :)

24GusLogan
Jul 22, 2022, 12:59 am

The best 1929 Munchausen I have ever seen listed on eBay for 165 dollars. No ML, and the spine looks ever so slightly sunned, but it has no visible cracking/flaking and the glassine is there. Debatable whether this price is decent perhaps but I think with the letter the seller could have asked for 200.

25GusLogan
Jul 24, 2022, 5:09 am

>23 Lukas1990:
I went for it in the end - so renewed thanks! - with a view to a rebind at some future time.

>24 GusLogan:
Clearly I was wrong about this being a decent price as the book remains for sale!

26Lukas1990
Aug 3, 2022, 12:56 pm

27MobyRichard
Aug 4, 2022, 12:29 am

>26 Lukas1990:

The listing states that copy has been rebacked which would explain the price.

28maisiedotes
Aug 5, 2022, 12:48 am

>26 Lukas1990: >27 MobyRichard:
It's gone!

Could you help me understand how rebacking results in a lower price? (I think that's the implication of "very good price.")

29Lukas1990
Aug 5, 2022, 1:34 am

>28 maisiedotes: Rebacking means it was repaired. Collectors want an original book which was not repaired or altered. Such a book is the most valuable. Still I think the book I found is a good value. The cover is in pretty good shape - not common for LEC Erasmus.

30Glacierman
Aug 5, 2022, 4:20 am

>28 maisiedotes: >29 Lukas1990: That particular copy was quite well done and it has a bespoke slipcase rather than the original. Personally, that would not be a deal breaker for a book, if the price was within my budget for what would otherwise be beyond my reach.

31MobyRichard
Edited: Aug 5, 2022, 3:57 pm

>28 maisiedotes:

If you look over auction records, it almost always lowers the average value unless the rebind is something very very special or the book is so common that it's not that big a deal finding a copy in the original condition.
Any good bookbinder should advise their customers accordingly. I guess LEC is a gray area. With 1500 copies, they are not hard to find but I wouldn't call 1500 a huge limitation either.

A spine only rebind of a book originally bound in full leather is also very obvious. I've never seen a case where I couldn't tell immediately. Also any major book repair suggests there may be other structural problems that will become apparent later. What do you do for example, if the leather on the front and rear boards begin to rot (a common LEC sheepskin problem)? The quarter rebind is not going to help with that.

Of course any random individual buyer might not care, but it definitely should matter to the seller.

32maisiedotes
Aug 5, 2022, 6:25 pm

>30 Glacierman: >31 MobyRichard:

Thank you for the explanations. I'm learning!

33literatefool
Aug 9, 2022, 1:15 pm

I just noticed that Capitol Hill Books has been listing a good number of Limited Edition Books. No pictures, but they are a good group to work with getting information. What caught my eye was a listing for the First Volume issued of the Limited Editions Club:

https://www.capitolhillbooks-dc.com/pages/books/13831/jonathan-swift-shane-lesli...

34mr.philistine
Edited: Aug 10, 2022, 11:45 am

With less than an hour to go for some listings, here are a set of 6 LEC full leather poem American Poets series from the same seller (newsletter not mentioned):

The Poems of William Cullen Bryant, 1947: https://www.ebay.com/itm/204060409654
The Poems of John Greenleaf Whittier, 1945: https://www.ebay.com/itm/225102561216
The Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, 1943: https://www.ebay.com/itm/204060417568
The Poems of Emily Dickinson, 1952: https://www.ebay.com/itm/225102622200
The Poems of Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1945: https://www.ebay.com/itm/225102630141
The Poems of Longfellow, 1944: https://www.ebay.com/itm/225102637872

(No connection with seller)

35GusLogan
Aug 30, 2022, 1:26 am

A copy of Dead Souls (Chihikov’s Journey) was just listed on Abebooks for 95 USD. The solander is faded but the books look perfect in glassine (never seen it before on these) and I seem to remember this is one of those LEC productions of which fewer than 1 500 were made because of the war. It’s a lovely set to my mind. No affiliation to the seller of course, and may also be listed on Biblio, I didn’t look.

36GardenOfForkingPaths
Edited: Aug 30, 2022, 5:26 am

>35 GusLogan: Thank you! Much appreciated. It was listed on Biblio too.

This has been near the top of the wish-list for a while so very pleased to finally acquire it.

37GusLogan
Aug 30, 2022, 4:22 pm

>36 GardenOfForkingPaths:
Delighted to have been of assistance!

38GusLogan
Aug 31, 2022, 11:53 pm

I’d say 75 USD minus 10 % member’s discount is a good price for the 1950 Don Quixote with the ML even if it has some paint stains. That’s on Biblio - also on Abebooks and eBay. No affiliation.

39Lukas1990
Edited: Sep 2, 2022, 8:19 am

Gooood looking Erasmus. And the price is decent. No affiliation.

https://www.johnwindle.com/pages/books/124836/desiderius-carter-erasmus-harry-he...

40GusLogan
Sep 2, 2022, 7:42 am

41Sport1963
Sep 5, 2022, 4:52 pm

>39 Lukas1990: One of the nicest copies I've seen. The leather spine is notoriously fragile and subject to deterioration - it was actually scrap sheepskin leather pieces mixed with a copious amount of sawdust. A product of the war years' shortages.

42Glacierman
Sep 5, 2022, 6:43 pm

>39 Lukas1990: Dang. Sold already. I didn't get the chance to see it.

44Glacierman
Sep 6, 2022, 2:33 am

>43 Lukas1990: Danke, Mein Herr.

45literatefool
Sep 23, 2022, 3:56 pm

I do not know if this a decent price but I spotted this and thought some of you may be interested:

https://getmansvirtual.com/cartophilians-rodriguez-archives-llc/the-limited-edit...

46Glacierman
Sep 23, 2022, 8:38 pm

>45 literatefool: That prospectus has Updike written all over it! Easily recognizable as his work. Worth obtaining for that fact alone, insofar as I am concerned.

47abysswalker
Sep 30, 2022, 2:36 pm

Horace in seeming fine condition at a very reasonable price:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/204106389667

No relation to seller apart from being a satisfied customer. I bought a different LEC from the same seller; the book condition upon arrival was very fine, the price was good, and the packing skills were excellent.

The same seller has a few other good LEC values (Plato and Ecclesiastes at least).

48Lukas1990
Sep 30, 2022, 4:46 pm

>47 abysswalker: That's a nice copy! Unfortunately shipping to Lithuania is more than the price of the book.

49LeHorla
Oct 4, 2022, 8:07 pm

>47 abysswalker: Lol,.I actually bought that Horace. I didn't see it posted here, I just happened across it and found it a fair price.

50Lukas1990
Oct 18, 2022, 9:52 am

On the Nature of Things in really good condition for a really good price.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31328009983

51mr.philistine
Nov 17, 2022, 2:20 am

The Song of Roland, LEC 1938; sans slipcase or ephemera for a BIN price of €18 and also 'Make Offer' enabled. I would have added it to my fledgling LEC collection but the seller will not ship my destination.

Two compelling reviews here:
https://booksandvines.com/2013/11/10/the-song-of-roland-limited-editions-club-19...
https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/2019/05/26/heritage-press-the-song-of-ro...

The listing is more than a year old. 'Livre ancien' indeed!
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/373783807474

52Lukas1990
Nov 17, 2022, 5:41 am

>51 mr.philistine: I've seen this one long ago. The seller has never replied to my numerous requests.

53Lukas1990
Edited: Nov 23, 2022, 12:42 am

Aesop's Fables. Starting bid - 100$. No affiliation.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125625516019

54GusLogan
Edited: Nov 25, 2022, 10:12 am

Well maybe it’s not a decent price but this seemed the best place to mention this listing:

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31362524509

VG is obv not the bar most of us aim to clear…

Edit: No affiliation, for sure!

55Glacierman
Nov 25, 2022, 12:50 pm

>54 GusLogan: Heck, if I could afford that pile, I'd drive down there and pick 'em up!

56WildcatJF
Nov 25, 2022, 12:55 pm

Same, haha!

57booksforreading
Nov 26, 2022, 2:18 pm

At roughly $80-$100 per book on average, the price is a good deal for the seller, not for a purchaser.

58Lukas1990
Dec 10, 2022, 4:16 pm

Almost perfect copy of Erasmus. And you can make an offer. No affiliation.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204181421184

59AMindForeverVoyaging
Dec 10, 2022, 5:43 pm

>58 Lukas1990: That copy is on Abe for even less.

60ExLibrisDavid
Dec 12, 2022, 1:55 am

>59 AMindForeverVoyaging: It looks like the seller removed the listing on eBay, someone must have taken your advice and picked it up on Abe!

61Bernarrd
Jan 10, 2023, 12:34 pm

Oak Knoll Books has a 30% off sale on Limited Editions Club titles through the end of January. I just got an email from them.

62booksforreading
Jan 10, 2023, 4:51 pm

>61 Bernarrd:
Thank you! I have just ordered Uncle Remus from them, thanks to your lead.

63Iggybedora
Jan 12, 2023, 11:33 am

Thanks! Just bought The Iceman Cometh

64booksforreading
Jan 14, 2023, 10:28 pm

>62 booksforreading:
As transpired, my copy of Uncle Remus that has just arrived from Oak Knoll Books was a personal copy of Marc Connelly who wrote the Foreword.
There is an M. C. instead of the number in the colophon, and a small but significant correction in the foreword by pen (signed M. C.)
Apparently, LEC omitted a few words during printing: in the sentence on the bottom of page VIII, the part "...who in the forties alone found a devoted public..." should read "...who in ONE YEAR IN the forties alone..."

65Glacierman
Edited: Jan 15, 2023, 12:24 pm

>64 booksforreading: I get a kick out of obtaining personal copies of LEC books. I have a few, and the one I enjoy the most was a copy of Popol Vuh that had belonged to the artist who presented it to a friend and included a pencil drawing, signed, along with the brief presentation inscription. It makes a nice companion to the regular LEC edition and is also in a non-standard binding done by the printer, Plantin Press.

66booksforreading
Jan 15, 2023, 10:03 am

>65 Glacierman:
Your Popol Vuh copy is truly one of a kind.
It always makes me a little sad when families of artists, friends, and writers do not find any sentimental value in such books and get rid of them.

67PBB
Jan 17, 2023, 5:44 pm

>61 Bernarrd: So many missing the letter. shame

68GusLogan
Edited: Jan 19, 2023, 2:51 pm

Great deal on the Little flowers - someone buy it to stop me…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204219891728?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

Edit: Sold! Probably not my doing…

69Lukas1990
Edited: Feb 8, 2023, 3:45 pm

Not the best photo quality but the spine looks really clean.

EDIT: the book is also on Ebay and you can make an offer. Looks like an even more decent deal.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31422506731

70GusLogan
Feb 27, 2023, 1:10 am

It’s not an amazing deal, but there’s a Jekyll & Hyde on Biblio for 125 in Fine condition (often the spine is worn at the heel and crown) which with a Biblio discount if you’ve got it seems like a fair price. Put some Klucel-G on it if you buy it!

72AMindForeverVoyaging
Feb 27, 2023, 7:58 pm

Unless there's a Ulysses lurking in there I'd say it's something less than a spotted decent price :)

73GusLogan
Edited: Feb 27, 2023, 9:54 pm

>71 Lukas1990:
It’s up at >54 GusLogan: ; )

I’m hopeful they’ll sell piecemeal at some point..:

74Lukas1990
Edited: Mar 1, 2023, 6:04 am

A fine copy of The Sonnets to Orpheus signed by Balthus for 833$. Some 400$ cheaper than the second cheapest copy available on the market. Wish it had more than two woodcuts...

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31347978922

75MobyRichard
Mar 1, 2023, 2:47 pm

>74 Lukas1990:

That sold quick. I totally forget this book even existed until I read your post.

76Lukas1990
Edited: Mar 1, 2023, 4:55 pm

>75 MobyRichard: That's not even a decent price, it's a bargain! Still a bit too expensive for my budget. Hopefully, a fellow Sid Shiff devotee got it haha.

77ChrisG1
Mar 2, 2023, 10:06 am

Christo Snyman of Rare Collections is holding a 30% off sale & has a number of good values available. I picked up a few myself:

https://www.rarecollections.co.za/searchResults.php?category_id=206&action=b...

78GusLogan
Mar 2, 2023, 10:07 am

>77 ChrisG1:
His shipping is pretty good as well, at least from where I’m sitting (Europe).

79ChrisG1
Mar 2, 2023, 5:45 pm

>78 GusLogan: He's great to work with & as transparent as you can find regarding condition issues. The photos of the books are just stunning!

80wcarter
Mar 2, 2023, 6:32 pm

>77 ChrisG1:
Thanks. Picked up four books from him.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Stowe 1938 US137
Daphnis and Chloe 1934 US$67
The Chronicles of Jean Froissart US$56
Volpone US$60
:Postage to Australia US$57 for four books.

81rocklands
Mar 3, 2023, 5:32 am

Thank you for the kind words and support everyone, it is much appreciated.

FYI for those wondering about Carol Grossman and my project on the new checklist. We currently waiting for approval (hopefully) to include links to scan copies of the ML, if that happens we should launch soon

82PBB
Mar 5, 2023, 6:10 pm

May be a decent price, depending on how you value the Shiff letter. Based on the description, not the finest copy around, but not a disaster.

https://www.capitolhillbooks-dc.com/pages/books/25587/franz-kafka-willa-and-edwi...

83PBB
Mar 10, 2023, 2:47 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124842754188

This collection was mentioned in a different thread when it was listed at $14,000 two years ago. Other posters said it's worth about half of that.
I received an offer from the seller for $6,000 after adding it to my watchlist.

84Iggybedora
Mar 10, 2023, 4:06 pm

>83 PBB: I reached out to them once on instagram to see if they would sell separately and they said they would but the prices they wanted were still too high compared to what's available.

85ChrisG1
Mar 11, 2023, 12:33 pm

>83 PBB: I saw an offer of $4500 at one point, which is more reasonable, and was tempted, but the reality of space limitations kept me from acting on it.

86kdweber
Mar 21, 2023, 9:19 pm

>74 Lukas1990: Thank you! I picked up The Sonnets to Orpheus. It’s a beautiful book in perfect condition. And thanks for finding a new, to me, good book seller. I also bought The Man Who Planted Trees from them.

87maisiedotes
Mar 21, 2023, 11:21 pm

>74 Lukas1990: >86 kdweber: I just looked. Stunning art and paper! Congratulations!

88Lukas1990
Mar 22, 2023, 2:01 am

>86 kdweber: The owner of the shop Christo, aka rocklands, is a nice guy who has sent me some rare ML's before. I am sure he will have some good sales in the future too. Glad the beautiful book went to a fellow devotee. The price was exceptional.

89rocklands
Mar 22, 2023, 5:50 am

>88 Lukas1990: thank you for the kind words and the support from many members here. As a collector myself I love seeing books going to people who enjoy them

90PBB
Edited: Apr 4, 2023, 3:56 pm

This message has been deleted by its author.

91PBB
Apr 4, 2023, 3:58 pm

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uRIL-afLJtce1Kimq9loBaLMoY7UYNLQ4zrdFzmNs24/...

This is Oak Knoll offer that wasn't sent to their whole mailing list, but they said I could share here after I asked. It's 30% off the listed prices. Great deal on The Flounder at the bottom of the document. Reach out to them at orders@oakknoll.com

92Joshbooks1
Apr 6, 2023, 9:36 am

>91 PBB: Thanks so much! I actually just emailed another seller on abe about The Flounder but saw your post and emailed Oak Knoll only to buy from them. I'm quite surprised how cheap the volume is considering the materials and signature by Gunter Grass but, hey, I'm all for it. Has this book always been this cheap or after his controversial past came to light his popularity and thus the prices fell?

93PBB
Apr 6, 2023, 10:33 am

I see a few listings for it between $150-$200. I managed to get mine about a year ago as part of a bulk order for a bit less than that. There's also quite a few way higher than that, so somewhere between 150 and 200 seems good for that one. He died in 2015 so any impact his questionable past would've had on prices probably happened then or earlier. I wasn't around then to know anything about the market so can't say for sure

94GardenOfForkingPaths
Edited: Apr 6, 2023, 11:18 am

One thing I always wonder about The Flounder when I look at pictures is what was the natural/original colour of the eel skin spines and what is the result of sunning? Or perhaps there's just a lot of variation in eel skin leather?

Sometimes there's quite a difference between the books even within the same set, so I've been assuming it's normal variation or something that develops naturally over time?

95abysswalker
Apr 6, 2023, 8:11 pm

>94 GardenOfForkingPaths: my copy had uniform gray eel skin, no variation apart from the stitch like pattern. I suspect any fading is from sun or other environmental damage. I sold it ultimately (strange mix of elements I liked and didn't like), but not that long ago.

96GardenOfForkingPaths
Apr 7, 2023, 4:41 am

>95 abysswalker: Interesting, thanks. Which aspects of the books did you like and not like?

97abysswalker
Apr 18, 2023, 10:01 am

>96 GardenOfForkingPaths: I love everything about the bindings of The Flounder, from the somewhat extravagant choice of binding as three separate volumes, to the eel skin backing, to the mild flexibility of the "hard" covers. The paper was also perfect, having a nice texture and pale greenish blue sheen. However, none of the page form factor, layout, and typography choices worked for me. The page was too wide for the amount allocated to text, leading to excessive margins, far beyond even the generous norms of fine press. Worst of all, the paragraphing lacked vertical spacing, indentation, pilcrow, or any other useful delimiting method, making the text visually hard to parse. Finally, the illustrations by the author were fine, and illustration by a Nobel prize winner is a novelty, but ultimately they don't seem that special to me, only satisfactory.

98GardenOfForkingPaths
Apr 19, 2023, 11:28 am

>97 abysswalker: Thank you for the thorough assessment - all good points, well made. It's a set of books I'm interested to see in person, and a novel I have never read. I just found a fine copy for a reasonable price, which is now en route.

The lack of indentation or clear spacing between paragraphs is strange to me too. The LEC Fall of the House of Usher employs the same approach. Although not a big issue for a short story, like you I felt this type of layout to be a negative point for ease of reading.

I'm certainly curious about the reasoning behind it since they are generally such thoughtfully designed books.

99Glacierman
Apr 19, 2023, 12:58 pm

>98 GardenOfForkingPaths: "The lack of indentation or clear spacing between paragraphs is strange to me too. "

It is strange, and it seems to be a fad. I have no idea what the philosophy behind it is, but it is awkward. Even a small indentation helps, otherwise, the reader has to depend on the short line at the end of the previous paragraph to clue them in that a new paragraph has begun.

I don't like it.

100GardenOfForkingPaths
Apr 19, 2023, 3:17 pm

>99 Glacierman: It does have the feeling of a fad. It certainly makes you appreciate the humble indent!

101abysswalker
Apr 20, 2023, 9:53 am

>98 GardenOfForkingPaths: "The lack of indentation or clear spacing between paragraphs is strange to me too. ... I'm certainly curious about the reasoning behind it since they are generally such thoughtfully designed books."

I believe The Flounder was designed by Ben Shiff. I'm not sure how much experience he had as a book designer at that point.

102PBB
May 8, 2023, 12:17 am

https://www.biblio.com/book/old-sea-limited-editions-club-hemingway/d/1539332572

I spent a long time watching listings for this one and this is $150 less than any other copy I saw with the letter. Also $150 less than some other listings without the letter.

https://www.vialibri.net/searches?title=The+Old+Man+and+the+Sea&publisher=Li...

For comparison with other listings

103kdweber
May 8, 2023, 1:08 am

>102 PBB: That, indeed, is a decent price. Nice book.

104PBB
May 9, 2023, 9:59 am

>103 kdweber: It’s gone! Hope someone from this forum got it

105GusLogan
May 10, 2023, 3:44 pm

A very reasonably-priced Decline and Fall popped up on Abebooks yesterday. Spines pretty good for this title but something wonky with the top of the boards, hard to make out from photos… I would have bought this one over my 100 dollar-set with one spineless volume I think!

106MobyRichard
Edited: May 10, 2023, 3:59 pm

>105 GusLogan:

Have at it guys. I'm always a bit wary b/c I buy books to read, not just display, and I feel like if I actually read these books they will just end up like all the other copies eventually.

107PBB
May 25, 2023, 10:16 am

https://www.abebooks.com/kempers-adventure-loveland-co-u.s.a/83002130/sf

Abebooks seller who was a subscriber that I talked to recently who is looking to sell the 45th through 54th series to one buyer. Says they're very negotiable for someone looking to purchase the whole set. I don't know if it would end up being a decent price like this thread is for, but certainly an interesting opportunity.

Inventory, with some non-LEC books at the bottom. Includes the Bibliography and Monthly Letters of 1929-1933 published during those years but not in a series.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pb1VFKlvNMhiZLCKQ4FkG_LrbjdyEDnfik9zJZDS19k/...

108GusLogan
May 25, 2023, 2:36 pm

>107 PBB:
Hopefully considering this is the closest I’ll ever come to bankruptcy.

109Lukas1990
Jun 6, 2023, 11:21 am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325683732325 Best offer available. Not bad!

110AMindForeverVoyaging
Jun 6, 2023, 11:40 am

>109 Lukas1990: Yes, someone snagged a great value

111PBB
Jun 6, 2023, 11:41 am

>109 Lukas1990: i saw this on eBay on my own but while messaging the seller for more info it sold. Should’ve just jumped on it. Damn. Congrats to whoever got it if they’re on this site!

112GusLogan
Jun 6, 2023, 11:59 am

>109 Lukas1990:
I genuinely wish I’d never seen this post! (Not because I bought the set!)

113Lukas1990
Jun 6, 2023, 1:04 pm

That was quick! Hope it went to a devotee.

114Lukas1990
Edited: Jun 18, 2023, 11:11 pm

Decent starting bid for a nice condition book (LEC Of The Nature Of Things).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Of-On-The-Nature-Of-Things-Lucretius-Limited-Editions-C...

115Lukas1990
Edited: Jun 20, 2023, 6:23 am

This message has been deleted by its author.

116Lukas1990
Jun 25, 2023, 12:45 am

Origin of Species + Descent of Man = 170$. Best offer available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225637143841

117PBB
Jun 25, 2023, 3:01 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374774963112?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374774972219?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

Hate having to pass on these myself but $210 for The Dolphin is pretty good. The Dolphin did come with a whole bunch of ephemera and this set only has one piece but I’m not sure how common sets are with all the pieces so I think this is still worth it

118PBB
Jul 1, 2023, 1:31 pm

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/156287937_rare-lec-poster-ray-bradbury-fahr...

Very rare piece that was offered to early subscribers of the 47th series. My first time seeing a listing for this in my ~2 years of LEC collecting . I'm not sure how many are out there and what counts as a decent price, and sharing here might ruin the decent price aspect but its a rare opportunity!

119GusLogan
Jul 2, 2023, 12:25 am

>116 Lukas1990:
>118 PBB:
Thanks both for your many recent spottings here!

120PBB
Edited: Jul 7, 2023, 3:27 pm

>119 GusLogan: I try and do a Vialibri search once a day sorted by most recently listed to try and catch deals before anyone else can snatch them up. Maybe once a month I find a great book for 30-50% below market and once every 2-3 months 70% below. For anyone with a long LEC wishlist it’s a worthwhile method I think. I’m also listening to ABAA bookseller interviews on YouTube, and visit their websites and search LEC. That's less fruitful but the interviews are very interesting. Most of them were done by Michael Ginsberg who does a great job, who had a 50+ year career in the Boston area and recently passed. William Reese, Mark Hime, Philip Pirages and the Bromers are some of the better ones.

121Lukas1990
Jul 5, 2023, 12:32 am

Fahrenheit 451 in fine condition for 600 USD. I advise asking for photos to confirm the condition, though.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31549811959

122PBB
Edited: Jul 7, 2023, 3:28 pm

>121 Lukas1990: For anyone interested, to save you a step, I put the photos I received from the seller for this book in my gallery. Not good quality photos unfortunately.

https://www.ebay.com/usr/eric-hilto?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2559 this seller has some presentation copies from the 70s. Some in excellent condition, and a bit lower than market price.

123mr.philistine
Edited: Jul 8, 2023, 9:52 pm

The Story of Manon Lescaut by the Abbé Prévost, 1935, HP-exclusive, LE of 1500 and signed but missing signed frontispiece;
more here: https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/heritage-press-the-story-of-m...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175799455943
Starting bid of $5.99 and one day to go!

124Glacierman
Jul 8, 2023, 7:03 pm

>123 mr.philistine: The photo of the two page title spread shows no frontispiece on this copy. Curious.

125WildcatJF
Edited: Jul 8, 2023, 8:27 pm

>123 mr.philistine: That is weird. As I note in my post: "For Manon Lescaut, Brissaud’s signature is on the title page with an exclusive print that is, to my knowledge, not in the reprints. I looked at a variety of standard printings while browsing and did not see this reprinted at all. Later illustrations were bumped up into its place, and one even had the left side blank...this print is distinctly different from the rest of Brissaud’s watercolors gracing the book — it’s far sharper and more colorful. The effective shading is just wonderful. I suspect that this is a tipped in print of a much higher quality exclusive to this edition."

Clearly it is missing from this copy, which I would expect would give any serious Heritage collector pause...provided they knew. And the seller noticeably did not mention that part of my post in their description, so this is perhaps more a buyer beware situation than a good deal. Unless the exclusive piece of art and Brissaud's signature don't mean anything to you...

126mr.philistine
Jul 8, 2023, 9:52 pm

127Lukas1990
Jul 20, 2023, 5:24 pm

Song of Roland (LEC) in a lovely condition and for a good price. Not sure about the upper corners of the binding though - are they a bit bumped?

https://www.biblio.com/book/song-roland-moncrieff-charles-scott-translator/d/154...

128Glacierman
Jul 20, 2023, 11:09 pm

>127 Lukas1990: Gone....in sixty seconds.

129Lukas1990
Edited: Jul 21, 2023, 8:54 am

>128 Glacierman: Haha, good! Definitely went to a fellow group member. My copy of Song of Roland looks much worse but I am satisfied with it.

130PBB
Edited: Aug 1, 2023, 1:29 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256164731884?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

$600 for Le Paysan de Paris
Make offer available too

131kdweber
Aug 1, 2023, 8:10 pm

>130 PBB: Good price. I paid $700 three years ago.

132GusLogan
Edited: Aug 3, 2023, 11:14 am

This message has been deleted by its author.

133mr.philistine
Aug 4, 2023, 12:31 pm

>77 ChrisG1: Another 30% site-wide sale from Rare Collections (Cape Town). They list both LEC and HP titles.

134Lukas1990
Aug 12, 2023, 4:02 am

Divine Comedy for 49.99$. Some staining on the spine, but doesn't look bad.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126049144358

135GusLogan
Aug 12, 2023, 5:43 am

>134 Lukas1990:
(ML but no slipcase.)

136Lukas1990
Aug 12, 2023, 6:20 am

>135 GusLogan: Still decent for 49.99$ :)))

137bacchus.
Aug 12, 2023, 10:55 am

There’s a decent copy of Opium Eater on abebooks US for $100.

138GusLogan
Aug 12, 2023, 11:29 am

>136 Lukas1990:
I agree, was just helping slipcase-obsessives save twenty seconds of their lives ; )

139PBB
Edited: Aug 15, 2023, 7:00 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204430491870?hash=item2f9901c0de:g:QjYAAOSwNxBk28~k

This would require some slipcase repair but even with that factored in could be a steal

Did someone here buy the $113 Poems of Emily Dickinson that was on eBay today? In a rough but salvageable slipcase? Someone beat me to it by just a few seconds. Good find if you got it

140GusLogan
Aug 16, 2023, 12:41 am

>139 PBB:
Great buy for someone (gone)!

141Lukas1990
Aug 31, 2023, 12:32 am

Wind in The Willows for 160$. Some stamps and wear to the spine (no photos).

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31621035933

142PBB
Sep 1, 2023, 1:35 pm

https://www.biblio.com/book/revelation-saint-john-divine/d/1514017459
Same seller I bought Our Grandmothers from. $400 less than any others I can find. Seller did give me expedited shipping for free too.

144Lukas1990
Sep 22, 2023, 4:21 pm

Far Away and Long Ago for 50$, best offer available, looks fine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/276059983111

145AMindForeverVoyaging
Edited: Sep 22, 2023, 9:25 pm

A strong Mutiny on the Bounty also has popped up.

146splicer415
Sep 25, 2023, 12:00 am

Hi!
I'm new to the group but I've been reading through your posts for a while and I'm looking for some thoughts on pricing. I've inherited a Heritage Press collection and I'd like to sell some of them but prices seem to be all over the map so I have no idea how to price them appropriately. For example, I have War of the Words, with slipcase and sandglass. A few sold on Ebay for under $20, but there's one on Abe's for $200. I know condition is a factor, and one of the Ebay sales looked like its condition was just as good as the one on Abe. I also know that, when it comes to collectibles, they're worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for them. I don't want to gouge anybody but I also don't want to give away for $20 something that could bring in $200. I could use the cash (who couldn't 😀)

I would be happy to sell my books to people in this group for a decent price, I just don't know what that price would be.

Thanks!

147bacchus.
Sep 25, 2023, 12:29 am

>146 splicer415: Listed prices don’t always reflect the amount a buyer is willing to pay. What mainly attracts HP collectors is the quality-to-value ratio. Unless this particular title has a recognized merit, as might be known by other members, I wouldn’t bet on such a high price.

148wcarter
Edited: Sep 25, 2023, 12:40 am


>146 splicer415:
Heritage Press books seem to sell for significantly less than the equivalent Limited Editions Club edition. Most go for under US$50, and many for a mere US$20.

149mr.philistine
Sep 25, 2023, 3:58 am

>146 splicer415: If you have any Heritage Press exclusives, i.e. titles not published by the LEC, you might be able to do better than $20; contingent on the state and availability of those titles.
See this article for more details: https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/heritage-press-exclusives/

I frequently acquire HP titles for under $10 with Sandglass and slipcase without any defects.

150splicer415
Sep 25, 2023, 3:48 pm

Thank you all for the info. It's clear I need to do a deep dive into the books to figure out what I've got. I looked at a couple and one of them shows the special material copyright with the Limited Edition Club, so it's clearly not an exclusive. Another one doesn't mention LEC in the copyright, so maybe it was a Heritage Press exclusive.

Interesting stuff about Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. I have them both in one volume with the Rockwell illustrations. Alas, no signature.

151laotzu225
Sep 29, 2023, 6:24 pm

>150 splicer415: Also New York Heritage are generally worth more and better made than Connecticut Heritage.

152Lukas1990
Oct 9, 2023, 8:28 am

On The Nature of Things (LEC) for 100$. Described as near fine. Ask for photos!
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31667139711

153GusLogan
Oct 10, 2023, 2:44 pm

I don’t know about decent price, but here’s an LEC - Bounty Mutiny - rarely seen in this condition:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186115380720

154PBB
Oct 10, 2023, 5:37 pm

>153 GusLogan: https://www.ebay.com/itm/186115591747
1942 Leaves of Grass
Same seller, much better than normally seen

155GusLogan
Edited: Oct 11, 2023, 2:04 am

>154 PBB:
That’s definitely an ”I know what I’ve got” listing!

I picked up their LEC Poems of Edgar Allen Poe in NF+ condition with an offer and was quite pleased to do so.

156PBB
Oct 12, 2023, 4:48 pm

$1,100 Poems of Robert Frost
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186118894240

157GusLogan
Edited: Oct 13, 2023, 8:05 am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404546112085
I Promessi Sposi for 29.99 USD. It’s a Mardersteig!

158dlphcoracl
Oct 16, 2023, 4:18 pm

>156 PBB:

That is an excellent price for the LEC 2-volume Robert Frost, especially in fine condition. The vast majority of copies have fading of the book spines.

159PBB
Oct 16, 2023, 4:34 pm

>158 dlphcoracl: https://www.librarything.com/pic/9899467

Or you could get this $3,600 copy that I saw in Bauman Rare Books Vegas in May. They’re also one of the stores I’ve seen list Shiff era books for more than the LEC sells them new

160Lukas1990
Edited: Oct 18, 2023, 5:16 pm

Praise of Folly (LEC) in best condition ever!!! Just look at that medallion! Wow!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186126393394

161Glacierman
Oct 18, 2023, 8:38 pm

Gone in 60 seconds........

162cartographer144
Oct 18, 2023, 11:03 pm

Wow, that’s a beautiful book. I own the HP, but now the LEC is officially on my radar if another opportunity ever pops up. The ebay seller has a number of LECs in excellent condition with prices ranging from very reasonable to what I believe to be very high ($995 Monte Cristo).

163Lukas1990
Oct 19, 2023, 1:45 am

>161 Glacierman: Literally... And it looks like a best offer was excepted which makes it even a better deal. I would have ordered this copy in a blink of an eye but I already own one.

164Lukas1990
Oct 19, 2023, 1:50 am

>162 cartographer144: Looks like the seller is not very knowledgeable. I would recommend getting Virgil's Georgics. The price and condition are great.

165GusLogan
Oct 19, 2023, 3:18 am

I picked up that seller’s Sentimental Journey and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe at good prices. Had a couple of offers declined. Nice-looking collection indeed!

166cartographer144
Oct 19, 2023, 9:23 am

>164 Lukas1990: Offer accepted (though I only saved $9)! I already own the 1969 FS edition which is probably my favorite FS book in my collection, but at least they have different translators so will likely offer somewhat unique reading experiences.

167Lukas1990
Edited: Oct 20, 2023, 3:07 am

Utopia for 30$ from Oaknoll. No slipcase and no photos to evaluate the condition. But as a reading copy...

https://www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/139253/thomas-more/utopia-written-in-latin-...

>166 cartographer144: You'll like it. It has all the qualities of much more expensive books printed by Officina Bodoni (excluding handpress printing).

168mr.philistine
Oct 20, 2023, 4:23 am

For those on a budget and willing to take a leap of faith, a new batch of LEC titles just listed on ThriftBooks that meet a few criteria when dealing with this mega bookseller posted here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/171386#8098301

..like multiple 'Actual Product Photos' and the line 'Secure packaging for safe delivery.' in the description. I have personally purchased many titles very cheaply and at excellent shipping rates from ThriftBooks.

NOTE: In the past few months, ThriftBooks have begun to list multiple publishers under the same title; so in such cases I have highlighted relevant text in the link that should take you straight to the LEC listing. Don't forget to click and verify 'Product Details'. Buyers in USA get FREE shipping and avoid a long and potentially arduous overseas journey. Books are sent via Asendia and USPS fully tracked and insured. If books arrive damaged, don't hesitate to contact their Customer Service.

The Ambassadors, 1963 for $40
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-ambassadors_henry-james/389082/vintage/#:~:tex....

Two Plays for Puritans, 1966 for $17
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/two-plays-for-puritans/19584214/vintage/#:~:text=s....

Bel-Ami, 1968 for $23
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/bel-ami_guy-de-maupassant/318158/vintage/

Roxana, 1976 for $17
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/roxana-the-fortunate-mistress_daniel-defoe/387232/...

New Arabian Nights, 1976 for 23$
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-new-arabian-nights_robert-louis-stevenson/1540...

The Three-Cornered Hat, 1959 for $22
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-three-cornered-hat-the-true-history-of-an-affa...

169GusLogan
Edited: Oct 21, 2023, 1:34 am

War of the Worlds/Time Machine for 150 USD:
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31680666290

170Lukas1990
Oct 21, 2023, 3:26 am

>169 GusLogan: Nice and gone! Still would like to see at least a couple of pictures as these booksellers are untrustworthy.

171PBB
Oct 23, 2023, 5:17 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186132913730 Matisse signature only copy of Ulysses auction starting at $3,000, with make offer option enabled. Not sure if that indicates the seller is truly open to less than $3,000, but worth a shot. Looks to be in very good or better condition

172PBB
Edited: Oct 30, 2023, 9:00 am

This message has been deleted by its author.

173PBB
Edited: Nov 3, 2023, 3:33 pm

Edit: Sold
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31690973206&searchurl=sort...

$1,500 Seven Years in Tibet, complete with letter, boards and $1,000 cheaper than any other complete copy I could find in a quick vialibri search. Hate not being able to get this for myself!

174GusLogan
Nov 3, 2023, 2:11 am

>173 PBB:
Sold (but not to me)!

175PBB
Nov 3, 2023, 3:41 pm

>174 GusLogan: was up very early this morning after sharing that in the evening, and said screw it if it’s still available I’m going to get it. But it was gone. Oh well

176kdweber
Edited: Nov 3, 2023, 5:59 pm

>173 PBB: >174 GusLogan: ‘Twas I, at least I hope so. The order on Abe went through and I got a second email that the bookseller confirmed the sale but I never really believe it until I get the shipping notice from the seller. Ordered last night at 8PM PDT as soon as I saw the post. Seven Years in Tibet was high on my wish list and my top LEC entry. Thanks for the tip.

177PBB
Nov 3, 2023, 8:19 pm

>176 kdweber: I had it in my cart but not the right purchase for me at the moment. I received this copy of Leaves of Grass last week, and the feeling of missing out on a book is not so bad when something like this has just come in. Not perfect but I think it would hard to do much better based on other listings. I really like the 1929 LEC edition of Leaves of Grass too, and have a nice copy, but I definitely prefer the 1942 edition now. If anyone has a NF/F copy of this I would appreciate seeing some photos!


178kdweber
Nov 3, 2023, 11:47 pm

>177 PBB: Congrats on your latest purchase. I really lucked into an immaculate copy of the 1942 LEC Leaves of Grass that came from the Arthur Andersen Estate (founder of the accounting firm). It had the original glassine and although the slipcase was slightly worn the books themselves are in mint condition. I’m guessing a grandchild was unloading the library. Great price as well at a very reasonable $850 including shipping and CA sales tax. When you mention the 1929 LEC do you mean the HP edition illustrated by Rockwell Kent and printed by the Nonesuch Press?

180kdweber
Nov 3, 2023, 11:58 pm

>179 WildcatJF: You’re so so right, I got mixed up. I have that edition as well but it’s not one of my favorites.

181PBB
Nov 4, 2023, 12:28 am

>179 WildcatJF:
>180 kdweber: The cover is my favorite aspect of the 1929, and in the thread about top 10 LECs I did include it in mine but not quite as high on it now. I’d really like to have the signed HP Rockwell Kent but that seems like an edition that’s aged poorly so I’ll have to be patient on that one. I was very excited to get this one because I decided to start re-reading this about a month ago, and it turns out my mom and grandma made the decision independently to do the same so we’ve been talking about it a lot and was nice to show this one to them.

182GusLogan
Nov 10, 2023, 1:34 am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134802240687

I don’t agree that it is in Fine condition, but perhaps Near Fine, and the binding has been highlighted here before. The subject matter doesn’t grab me or I would have picked it up myself!

183Glacierman
Nov 10, 2023, 12:50 pm

>182 GusLogan: Had I the funds right now, I'd jump on that like a duck on a June bug! It would be a fitting companion to my first edition of that book.

Alas! At the moment, I haven't a feather to fly with.

184kermaier
Nov 10, 2023, 2:19 pm

>183 Glacierman: Well, it looks to have been snapped up in two shakes of a lamb's tail... ;-)

185Evelyn2108
Nov 18, 2023, 10:33 pm

For $350 this is a very nice copy of the 1934 LEC Thousand Nights and a Night. The spines look pretty great, nice and light, just vol 1 and 2 have a little chipping at the top. Quite a good find when so many of these, in similar condition, are listed for over $1000. I'm sorely tempted to buy it, but I know I'd never get past the first volume and I hate having unread books on my shelf.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375064002055

186Lukas1990
Nov 23, 2023, 2:26 pm

The Sonnets to Orpheus in fine condition for below 600$. Only issue: no slipcase and letter.

https://www.resourcebooks.net/product/219990/The-Sonnets-to-Orpheus

187GusLogan
Nov 28, 2023, 3:08 am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404648235918

Condition could be better but 30 bucks for Petrarch’s sonnets with ML is pretty cheap.

188GusLogan
Nov 28, 2023, 3:11 am

>183 Glacierman:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155892784525
Here’s both better condition and price!

189GusLogan
Nov 28, 2023, 3:23 pm

>188 GusLogan:
And having been there for weeks, it’s gone!

190Lukas1990
Nov 28, 2023, 3:29 pm

>189 GusLogan: That Orpheus from >186 Lukas1990: was gone like in an hour or even less after I posted it. These booksellers should pay us...with books!

191maisiedotes
Nov 28, 2023, 3:53 pm

>190 Lukas1990: AWRight . . . who from here jumped on it?

Good for you!

192Glacierman
Nov 28, 2023, 4:21 pm

>188 GusLogan: S'ok. I have the first edition (Harper, 1847) in publisher's cloth. I am content.

193PBB
Nov 30, 2023, 1:22 pm

>186 Lukas1990: last day for the 30% sale on that seller’s site if anyone hasn’t checked it out yet.

https://www.jhbooks.com/pages/books/195774/lynn-riggs-thomas-hart-benton/green-g...
$150 with the letter seems fair for this one, a worse copy went for $115 on eBay recently. Comparable copies listed for $200+ elsewhere

194Lukas1990
Dec 3, 2023, 3:45 pm

Lucretius (LEC). Not a bargain but the condition is perfect and best offer is available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155926452817

195Glacierman
Dec 3, 2023, 6:03 pm

>194 Lukas1990: It is gorgeous! I spotted that earlier today.

196cartographer144
Dec 4, 2023, 7:25 am

I just started reading my FS edition of Lucretius over the weekend and am very tempted but must pass.

197dauphin129
Dec 13, 2023, 8:22 pm

The Hans Christian Andersen museum in Solvang (CA) has a small collection of LEC books. I spotted Uncle Tom’s cabin for 100$. No slipcase but the book is in fine condition.

198GusLogan
Dec 14, 2023, 6:46 am

There’s a Winesburgh, Ohio for 60 bucks on eBay, best offer possible - and a Circus of Dr Lao for 100. I reckon 130 bucks gets you both, which is really attractive. I own both, or I would have gone for it myself!

199PBB
Dec 18, 2023, 12:13 pm

https://www.biblio.com/book/wind-willows-grahame-kenneth-moore-inga/d/1551982704
Just ordered from this seller and noticed they also have The Wind in the Willows for $400. Pictures needed but sounds nice based on the description

200laotzu225
Dec 19, 2023, 11:25 pm

>199 PBB: I've mentioned it elsewhere but neither the Heritage press nor the Easton edition has all the illustrations (and certainly not tipped in. I keep around my old E.P. just to remind me how bad illustration reproduction can be.) If in reasonably decent shape, you will love it.
B.R.'s signature too.

201dlphcoracl
Edited: Dec 26, 2023, 11:54 pm

* deleted

202Lukas1990
Dec 27, 2023, 11:04 am

There's a bunch of nice looking LEC books for sale from Second Story Books. The prices are really good. All the books look fine from their covers but are suspiciously rated as only in very good condition (there are up to five photos of each book).

203GusLogan
Edited: Dec 27, 2023, 3:16 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196154564390

HP (edit: H Club!) Romeo & Juliet at great price with not so great spine.

204PBB
Edited: Dec 27, 2023, 3:30 pm

This message has been deleted by its author.

205wcarter
Dec 27, 2023, 6:50 pm

>202 Lukas1990:
I heard that Second Story Books was closing down, so this may be a clearance sale.

206PBB
Dec 27, 2023, 10:18 pm

>205 wcarter: I don't see anything about them closing from a Google search or on their social media pages. Do you have inside knowledge? Some decent prices, but nothing low enough that makes me think they're really trying to get rid of things.

Interesting interview with the owner of Second Story Books, Allen Stypeck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMucRT_-lyE
Seems like they have a massive operation, they would have to run a clearance sale for quite some time to make a significant dent in their inventory.

207wcarter
Dec 27, 2023, 10:33 pm

>206 PBB:
I might have the wrong Second Story Books. The one that is closed is in Chappaqua, New York.
I guess its not an uncommon name for a bookstore.

208GusLogan
Dec 29, 2023, 2:12 pm

>202 Lukas1990:
I’ve bought a few LECs from them and FWIW they have all been rated VG or VG+ and arrived as NF/F, though caveat emptor!

209Lukas1990
Jan 3, 2:20 am

Lucretius (LEC) in like new condition (spine looks good) for 195$.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256160715163?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

210mr.philistine
Jan 3, 2:27 am

New batch of LEC titles (numbered #420) just in on ThriftBooks. These caught my eye...

Poems of Robert Graves, 1980 for $28
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/robert-graves-poems/27260626/vintage/

Simplicissimus, 1980 for $62
"Also includes a complimentary wood engraving by Fritz Eichenberg and the original invitation to the Limited Editions Club celebration for this edition."
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-adventures-of-simplicissimus/19340583/vintage/


211GusLogan
Jan 3, 10:17 am

>210 mr.philistine:
Someone buy that Simplicissimus before I order my sixth copy! (I give them away! Well, three of them…)

212mr.philistine
Jan 5, 6:23 am

Further to >210 mr.philistine: someone snagged The Kingdom of This World, 1988 listed here:
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-kingdom-of-this-world-signed_alejo-carpentier/...

Since the Product Details of this copy list the book as weighing 1.00 lbs, it would have shipped overseas for $7.99 or FREE locally (in the USA). Now that the item has been purchased, the above link defaults to a generic photo without any more information like price or specific description. If anyone on this forum saw OR acquired this copy, please share the original price - to inspire/ deter us :)

213cdeweese
Edited: Jan 5, 10:31 am

>212 mr.philistine: long time lurker here. I grabbed The Kingdom of This World after seeing your post. I would totally get the Graves and Simplicissimus if I didn’t already owned them (tempted by Simplicissimus anyway, tbh, as mine isn’t in great condition). The price on The Kingdom Of This World was $79.

Oh, and it looks like someone else scored Journeys Among the Dead
by Eugene Ionescu from the same batch. I’d likewise be interested to see how they priced that…

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/journeys-among-the-dead_eugene-ionescu/51914208/?r...

214mr.philistine
Jan 5, 11:05 am

>213 cdeweese: Thanks for putting my restless mind at ease! $79 is great coupled with shipping priced for a 1lb book (if they listed the book as such). My copy of Simplicissimus came with the newsletter and prospectus, so I will live with that.

I am sure you must be aware but here are a few tips >168 mr.philistine: from a regular buyer on ThriftBooks.

Out of curiosity, what filters do you use when hunting LECs' on ThriftBooks?
I search for 'limited editions club' and uncheck 'Show Out of Stock Items' and check 'Signed Books'. This narrows the list significantly but curiously does not show the aforementioned Journeys Among the Dead.

215cdeweese
Edited: Jan 5, 12:56 pm

>214 mr.philistine: yes, it was with free shipping, so I feel great about it! I used to search ThriftBooks for just “Limited Editions Club” and then unselect out of stock books, but they changed their search functionality about a year ago and it’s almost unusable now. They do have a couple of the “Evergreen Tales” sets for $40, if anyone is interested… I have to say, however, I have two of these collections and wasn’t super impressed by them.

For anyone interested: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-evergreen-tales-or-tales-for-the-ageless-beaut...

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-tale-of-ali-baba--the-forty-thieves--the-sleep...

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-evergreen-tales-or-tales-for-the-ageless-the-s...

I just noticed these as well, also from that #420 set (neither of these is a wonderful deal, pretty average I’d guess)

Milosz for $224
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-captive-mind_czesaw-miosz/299870/vintage/?resu...

Sassoon for $45
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/memoirs-of-an-infantry-officer_siegfried-sassoon/4...

216GusLogan
Jan 5, 1:02 pm

>213 cdeweese:
Great buy, good for you!

217cdeweese
Jan 5, 1:13 pm

Two Mediaeval Tales for $30… described as VG but no photos.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R01ST6/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_9?smid=A3UCM1...

218cdeweese
Jan 5, 1:14 pm

>216 GusLogan: thanks! I see a lot of great reviews of this one on here, excited to add it to my scant Schiff-era LEC shelf

219PBB
Edited: Jan 10, 12:36 pm

220imkdir
Jan 16, 1:27 am

>199 PBB: Just received this copy, I think the reason they didn't go higher was the slipcase with chipped corner, yet the condition of the book made me think $400 is still a bargain! Thanks for the tip!

221GardenOfForkingPaths
Jan 16, 7:11 am

$45 for The Toilers of the Sea. Perhaps not the very cheapest around, but book/jacket/slipcase are all Fine (apparently).

https://biblio.co.uk/book/toilers-sea-hugo-victor/d/1582691900?placement=search_...

As most LEC collectors know, the danger with this book is the page block separating from the binding. Still, it's a lovely book and at that price certainly worth a go. My copy has been fine so far.

222PBB
Jan 16, 10:08 am

>220 imkdir: Glad someone here got it!

223encephalophagy
Jan 17, 2:37 am

$80 for 6-volume Andersen's Fairy Tales. Seems to have been mistakenly listed as HP instead of LEC. Looks to be in decent shape. Already own it myself or I'd be all over it:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/296169559203?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

224Lukas1990
Jan 24, 7:06 am

Uncle Tom's Cabin for 125$. VG condition. Looks OK.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166564676652

225PBB
Feb 13, 6:22 pm

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31778730854&searchurl=yrh%...

Quarto Millenary $38. No Monthly Letter and only one picture but seems like a nice copy

226mr.philistine
Feb 16, 2:32 am

>224 Lukas1990: Another Uncle Tom's Cabin on auction with a starting bid of $10 and almost 10 days to go. While the copy in your post came with the announcement card only, this copy has a slipcase and monthly newsletter.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126333400398

227PBB
Feb 22, 12:28 pm

For those not signed up for their newsletter, Rarecollections South Africa 35% off sale starts tomorrow and runs through the end of March

228GusLogan
Feb 25, 11:51 pm

>226 mr.philistine:
Someone did very well there! (108 USD)

229A.Nobody
Edited: Mar 4, 5:42 pm

Nice looking Diary of a Country Priest, with make-offer option.

230Glacierman
Mar 4, 11:16 pm

gone!

231PBB
Mar 4, 11:30 pm

>229 A.Nobody: I was interested in that one until I saw no number by Eichenberg’s signature. Seller told me no initials or LEC stamp either so doesn’t seem to be a presentation or office copy. Haven’t seen that before

232Lukas1990
Mar 7, 3:29 am

Lucretius for 29.99$! Hurry! The binding is rubbed but otherwise looks fine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364773598165?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

233GusLogan
Mar 7, 10:39 am

>232 Lukas1990:
Thank you!

234A.Nobody
Mar 12, 8:56 pm

Resource Books is offering 25% off (with free shipping in the US) through the end of March with code YESMOREBOOKS. I mention this here because they have a number of late Schiff-era books that might be a solid value with the discount.

235PBB
Edited: Mar 13, 10:26 pm

>234 A.Nobody: Edit: Sold
Wuthering Heights $1,837 before tax wow. That's cheaper than the most recent auction I could find and cheaper than some auctions 10+ years ago. I'd buy it myself as it is at the top of my wish list but I have a copy on hold with another seller and would be wrong to back out of that deal.

236wcarter
Mar 12, 9:15 pm

>234 A.Nobody:
Thank you. Got kingdom of this World and the LEC Bibliography.
Postage to Australia cost more than the books after the discount, but that is one of the penalties for living on this side of the globe.

237Chemren
Mar 13, 12:15 am

>234 A.Nobody: Thanks. Heights of Macchu Picchu is on its way west.

238kdweber
Mar 13, 2:08 am

>234 A.Nobody: Outstanding prices!

239Lukas1990
Mar 13, 3:34 am

>234 A.Nobody: I really need one of those late period folio sized books in my modest collection. I will never afford Genesis but The Revelation of Saint John the Divine at 945$ is very tempting.

240GusLogan
Mar 13, 11:05 am

>236 wcarter:
Jealous but congratulations!

241Joshbooks1
Mar 13, 4:55 pm

>234 A.Nobody: I can vouch for the seller and she is amazing. She had a bunch of LEC titles and since I live close I visited her store and picked up a bunch of Schiff titles a few months back. A wonderful seller and incredibly kind person.

242wcarter
Mar 13, 5:59 pm

>260 PBB:
Just cancelled the order as postage was US$263. Decided it was not worth it, so books back in stock again.

243Glacierman
Mar 13, 7:10 pm

>242 wcarter: Holy Mother of God! That is positively INSANE!

244kdweber
Mar 13, 7:39 pm

>242 wcarter: Close to what I paid for shipping the SJP 1984 to the states after FedEx was through with ripping me off

245WildcatJF
Mar 13, 8:06 pm

YIKES

246wcarter
Mar 13, 11:15 pm

>243 Glacierman: >244 kdweber: >245 WildcatJF:
Resource Books were very helpful and apologetic about the shipping cost. Refunded me instantly.
Evidently the two book parcel was just over 10 pounds which took it into a higher price bracket.
It is getting very hard to buy heavy beautiful books due to shipping costs.

247GusLogan
Mar 14, 12:58 am

>242 wcarter:
They’re not visible at the moment, raising the tragic (for me) possibility that I’ve been too slow twice ; )

248wcarter
Mar 14, 1:22 am

>247 GusLogan:
Email them directly as it may take a while for them to refresh their website.

249ManishBadwal
Mar 14, 10:06 am

>242 wcarter: Did you try from alibris.com ? I'm not sure if you would get the discount at alibris, but their shipping costs are very reasonable, so might turn out cheaper even without the discount.

250GusLogan
Edited: Mar 15, 4:31 pm

>248 wcarter:
Done, with gratitude!

(Not so keen on the Bibliography given the musty odour carefully noted.)

251A.Nobody
Mar 23, 12:28 pm

I received Wuthering Heights and The Man Who Planted Trees from Resource Books. Extraordinarily beautiful, and extraordinarily enormous. These are my first late-era Schiff books and they are almost overwhelming, in a good way.
The Resource Books 25% off offer is good through April 15 with code HOORAYBOOKS (and free US shipping). They are a high-quality seller, so don't hesitate to purchase if there's anything catching your eye.

252PBB
Mar 23, 2:17 pm

>251 A.Nobody: Very nice pickups. I will be joining you in Wuthering Heights ownership this week. I considered the Resource Books copy myself but I decided to buy it new from the LEC directly, and have never been this excited to receive a book. I have seen it in person but not in great condition, but I still knew I had to have it. By far the best illustrations I've seen for Wuthering Heights and a top 5 favorite novel of mine.

253Lukas1990
Edited: Apr 8, 11:03 pm

LEC Sight and Touch for 895$!!! Best offer available! Again Resource books.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116138042159?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

254A.Nobody
Apr 9, 12:12 am

>253 Lukas1990: Use code HOORAYBOOKS on their website to get 25% off (through April 15), and free shipping, unlike the $24 they charge on eBay.

255Glacierman
Apr 9, 2:40 pm

>254 A.Nobody: What's the URL? Search gives all sorts of weird stuff, mostly "Hooray for Heroes" books.

256A.Nobody
Apr 9, 4:48 pm

>255 Glacierman: At the Resource Books site, you can use the HOORAYBOOKS code at checkout to get the discount on your purchase. Looks like the Sight and Touch is already gone, however.

257PBB
Edited: Apr 16, 5:25 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285816677874?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-...

$169 1937 Marie Laurencin Camille with make offer available. Looks to have some (or all) of the original tissue guards. Has some of the aging to the binding and slipcase that is common with this edition

258GusLogan
Apr 17, 2:25 pm

>234 A.Nobody:
>236 wcarter:
Renewed thanks - just received The Kingdom of this World. A Very Large and luxurious book. Delighted.

259A.Nobody
Apr 17, 3:36 pm

>258 GusLogan: Glad to hear it! It's one of my personal favorites.

260PBB
Edited: Apr 23, 10:45 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186411123323 A Midsummer Night's Dream $95 with commentary

Edit: Sold within a minute of me posting this

261Lukas1990
Apr 27, 1:58 am

Moby Dick in very nice condition. And the price is good.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235538491051

262GusLogan
May 1, 2:59 pm

I don’t know that it’s a good price, but here’s an interesting copy of the 1933 LEC Don Q:

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/_CF847B7B37

263PBB
May 6, 9:31 pm

Unique piece, don’t know if it really qualifies as a decent price. I think this looks very interesting. A production copy of For Whom The Bell Tolls with all sorts of notes and instructions for the printer
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?utm_source=vialibri&utm_mediu...

264kermaier
May 7, 1:15 am

>263 PBB: Possibly a copy that Eason Press took apart to make their reproduction edition?

265PBB
May 7, 11:55 am

>264 kermaier: makes sense. Much less interesting than if it was used during the original production like I was thinking

266GusLogan
May 9, 12:07 am

Indecently, someone just listed the 1951 LEC Anna Karenina on eBay for 750 USD!

267A.Nobody
May 26, 10:14 am

If you can live with some stains on the slipcase, this fine-looking Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man, with all the extras, represents a strong value.

268GusLogan
May 26, 1:49 pm

>267 A.Nobody:
Nice! And sold (not to me).

269cartographer144
May 28, 8:48 am

>267 A.Nobody: Thanks, I had been ready to purchase this title after recently acquiring Memoirs of an Infantry Officer in a well priced bundle of 3 LECs, but didn't want to spend much.

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