Random...Anyone Know What 1st Edition of Gravity's Rainbow Is Worth?

[Vivi]

Does anyone know what the original, first edition of Gravity's Rainbow is worth? I have the paperback version is gently used shape. I did a quick google and saw original hardbacks listed at well over a grand. I paid something like 5$ for mine and wouldn't mind if I could make a few hundred bucks profit

anyone know where I could go to find out?

 

[eygen]

http://www.nbaward.com/book-details.php/Gravitys-Rainbow

I found that, and there's one listed on ebay for $750.

there's also this one for $37500.00....

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Boo...pfxid=a_16050515&sortby=1&tn=Rainbow&x=27&y=3

 

[jds1]

It looks like you're sitting on quite a treasure. :thumbup:

Jeff

 

[Frank Raud]

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sea...ortby=17&sts=t&tn=gravity's+rainbow&x=85&y=12

As the range of prices goes from $35 to $7500, it would seem there is no "set" value on this book. My guess would be the higher priced offerings have been around for a while. On the bright side, you should be able to get more than what you paid for it

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

Depends on condition. Book collectors take the condition of the paper VERY seriously. If there is mold or water damage, or if the cover is in rough shape, a paperback won't be worth very much at all. Browning inside the cover or yellowing brittle pages are both bad, as are pages which are missing or falling out. Even minor flaws can knock a significant percentage off the estimated value.

Paperback is worth far less than hardcover, and you are not going to get collector's top price for it, regardless of condition. A reputable dealer will probably pay you 25% of what it is worth, or give you 40% of its value in store credit, because they need to make a profit on the resale and in this economy it may sit on the shelf for years.

 

[Cougar Allen]

gently used shape

Collectors are not normal people. Something a normal person would call "gently used" is usually something a collector would consider worthless, whether it's books, knives, stamps, whatever.

 

[mdauben]

Given that the books is still widely in print and easy to find, the only people interested in paying anything extra for an old copy are collectors. For a book collector a hard back is going to be worth much more than a paperback, a first edition (preferably first printing) is worth more than subsequent editions/printings, and even the slightest wear will significantly impact the value.

Also, I see a lot of really ridiculous prices posted in various on-line venues for some "collectable" books. Quite often these prices bear no relation at all to the actual demand for the book, and no one will ever pay that asking price. Actual selling prices from auction sites are probably a better guide than what some out of touch with reality seller is asking.