My avocation is out-of-print and rare book scouting. I specialize in
science fiction, scholarly and technical books. Used science fiction books
are of three general types, 1. pristine first editions with perfect dust
jackets, these are much sought after by collectors and usually cost as much
or more than when first sold.
2. Rare titles, like "Flowers for Algernon", usually first editions hard
cover or paperback, also very collectable.
3. Books which are uncollectable, book club editions, worn, torn, or
missing dust jackets, library copies, marked remainders, etc. -- reading
copies.
As a book scout I live to find 1's and 2's, but I see and pick up a lot of
3's, just today I picked up Arthur C. Clarke's A FALL OF MOONDUST, 1961 in
excellent condition but no collector will touch it as it is a stamped,
library copy sold for downsizing reasons. If you are looking for a title,
reading copies and/or collectables (I have some Sheri Tepper golden oldies
for example), let me know. If I don't have it, I can look for it. Toronto
is a gold mine for science fiction and detective novels as we get both
British and American editions sold here. Reading copies usually cost about
the same as a paperback + four dollars surface mail in US and Canada.
Happy Reading
David Silver
189 McMorran Crescent
Thornhill, Ontario
L4J 3C8
(905) 731-4063
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