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AMERICAN DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: AN AMERICAN DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. Noah Webster. (Originally published in 1828.) For booksellers, the holy grail of American Dictionaries. Despite its vintage, this classic has what some would call a cult following today. It's especially popular with home schoolers and members of some Christian denominations (this will be explained in the article noted above). All early editions in reasonably good condition will do exceptionally well, usually get you into three figures, but this is a 50/50 entry because modern reprints, especially facsimile editions, are not only fairly common but will make a beeline to $50 and beyond almost without exception. Because this is public domain material, several publishers are on the playing field and others may enter as momentum builds - and I think it will. Remember title and date (1828), and you'll be fine. Note also that this will surface in both one- and two-volume formats.
WEBSTER'S SECOND NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY: WEBSTER'S SECOND NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY. G. & C. Merriam Co. 1934. Unabridged. Another substantial expansion and revision. Take special note of this edition because it commands almost reverential respect in some circles - and values will reflect this. For decades after its publication, WEBSTER'S SECOND was widely accepted as the definitive word on the (American) English language, much like its sister dictionary, the OED, was and still is for the King's English. The primary reason it commands bookseller-friendly prices now is because it preceded WEBSTER'S THIRD NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY, a radical, 1961 revision which laid a substantial egg when it was first released. The firestorm of criticism that ensued was primarily directed at a permissive editorial policy reflected in meanings and usage - telling it like it was, not how it should be - and this approach ultimately if unfairly eroded Merriam Webster's virtually unchallenged standing in the American lexi
cographical field. Early printings of WEBSTER'S SECOND which contain the infamous ghost word "dord," a non-word that slipped through the cracks due to a transcription error, have enhanced value.
OXFORD LATIN DICTIONARY: OXFORD LATIN DICTIONARY. Oxford University Press. More impeccable scholarship from OUP, this time in Latin. Not as common as its English brothers in crime, but common enough to keep an eye out for. Demand is unquenchable. $50 with your eyes closed; more often you'll venture into three figures.
SPEAKING DICTIONARIES AND TRANSLATORS: SPEAKING DICTIONARIES AND TRANSLATORS. Electronic devices that pronounce words aloud, speak meanings, etc., sell all day long online, often well north of $50. So do devices (speaking or not) that translate languages. I've begun to see more of these at sales recently. If the price is modest and it's in good working order, buy. eBayers are waiting for you with open wallets. Popular brands include Franklin and Casio.
DIANETICS AND SCIENTOLOGY TECHNICAL DICTIONARY: DIANETICS AND SCIENTOLOGY TECHNICAL DICTIONARY. L. Ron Hubbard. Bridge Publications. 1975. I'm going to continue banging on the Scientology/Hubbard flashpoint in 50/50 because there are more than a few high spots, so much demand, especially on eBay. This dictionary is exactly what the title suggests, and expect $50 and up (perhaps less on fixed-price venues) for nice copies in dust jackets. Lesser copies are still worth buying because they sell quickly and require only minimal descriptions.
GROVE'S DICTIONARY OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS: GROVE'S DICTIONARY OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS (and later, THE NEW GROVE DICTIONARY OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS). Several publishers are involved here; there are numerous editions, set sizes (up to, I believe, 29 volumes today), and printings; but just about anything complete and in good condition will make the cut. Grove's is THE standard in the music field, and demand is consistent and strong. Newer sets will usually do far better because of richer content and heavier emphasis on non-classical music, but older sets are much more likely to surface on scouting trips. Buy the vintage stuff anyway if you can grab it for $10 or $20. There will need to be something exceptional going on to pay more. Newer paperback sets are also out there, but most likely these won't achieve 50/50 status.
PROFESSIONAL BAKING: PROFESSIONAL BAKING. Wayne Gisslen. John Wiley & Sons. 2004. In previous 50/50's, I've occasionally stopped in my tracks to urge you to memorize something. Today's homework is to brand this name in your memory: Wayne Gisslen. Culinary Institute of America guru Gisslen has authored a number of textbook-level, culinary instruction books that sell anywhere/anytime, often at $50+ levels. Many of his books are in fact used in culinary schools, and they're relatively easy to find because CS growth has spiked in recent years (along with dropouts who soon unload their textbooks at thrift shops) - no thanks to BookThink friend Rachael Ray. In general, to get to or near $50 with these, focus on the hardback-only titles listed in this issue and buy current or very recent editions, preferably in dust jackets. These do especially well on eBay. When I come across older editions - and there are tons of them out there - I usually grab them anyway and list them on fixed-price ve
nues. If priced competitively, they won't sit on your shelf long. One more thing - some of the more recent editions have a companion CD.
PROFESSIONAL COOKING: PROFESSIONAL COOKING. Wayne Gisslen. John Wiley & Sons. 2002. Probably Gisslen's most common title and perhaps the only one I'll pass on at sales if it's an early or paperback edition. If new or nearly new, it's also unlikely to get past $40 unless it's paired with the chef knife package, but given how quickly it'll sell, who cares.
PROFESSIONAL COOKING FOR CANADIAN CHEFS: PROFESSIONAL COOKING FOR CANADIAN CHEFS. Wayne Gisslen. John Wiley & Sons. 2001. A Canadian edition was published to accommodate differing inspection, grading standards, etc., north of the border. I've only found one of these in Florida so far, but northbound booksellers should have much better luck. Values are strong.
ESSENTIALS OF PROFESSIONAL COOKING: ESSENTIALS OF PROFESSIONAL COOKING. Wayne Gisslen. John Wiley & Sons. 2003. This title is another sweetheart, and paired with its companion workbook, expect to break the $50 barrier.
CULINARY MATH: CULINARY MATH. Wayne Gisslen, L. Blocker & Julie Hill. John Wiley & Sons. 2002. Deliciously technical stuff, and it sings 50/50's song in the hardback edition.
THE WILTON WAY OF CAKE DECORATING: THE WILTON WAY OF CAKE DECORATING. Wilton Enterprises.
Volume I: 1974. Volume II: 1977. Volume III: 1979. There's steady and consistent interest in cake decorating, and Wilton is a major player in this market. Sold singly, these three encyclopedic volumes will often have trouble getting to $50 - Volume II usually attracts the most interest - but like those you-know-what songbooks I featured in issue #2, these sell and sell and sell without pause, and once you start looking for them, you'll see them everywhere. Don't worry about printing state, but condition and the presence of a dust jacket will, as usual, affect prices significantly. There are a number of other Wilton titles that sell briskly on fixed price venues.
MARY MARGARET MCBRIDE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COOKING: MARY MARGARET MCBRIDE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COOKING. Homemakers Research Institute. Near definitive, near interminable classic 50's cookery bible. This was published in big numbers in three different formats - a 12-volume bound set, a 2-volume looseleaf set, and a 1-volume looseleaf edition. The 12-volume set isn't 50/50 stuff, but the others (which are, by the way, massive) sell briskly at $50+ levels if condition is VG or better. HINT: if cookbooks exist in both looseleaf and bound editions, looseleaf usually outperforms bound because they lay open without protest on kitchen counters.
LIBERACE COOKS!: LIBERACE COOKS! Liberace (as told to Carol Truax). Doubleday & Co. A reader alerted me to this title several months ago, and by gosh, when I started looking for it, I found one - and am enthusiastically looking for more. Contains both recipes adapted from his parents (of Polish and Italian descent) and other Liberace-related content, focused particularly on the pianist's lavish lifestyle and entertaining protocols. VG or better in a nice dust jacket should get you to $50 or more. Also, Liberace wasn't shy about signing stuff, so you may be fortunate enough to come across a flamboyantly inscribed copy or two.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TURTLES: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TURTLES. Peter C.H. Pritchard. TFH (Tropical Fish Hobbyist) Publications. 1979. 90% of TFH stuff won't buy you a can of turtle pellets in the resale market, but this is a white hot exception. Huge and hard to miss, you'll have to close your eyes not to make $100 on it. If EOT isn't a classic yet, it will be. It's one of those books that proves that you don't have to be inaccessible to be informative. Oh - and if you didn't already know it, "turtle" is one of the better pets flashpoints.
MALAWI CICHLIDS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT: MALAWI CICHLIDS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT. Ad Konings. Cichlid Press. 2001. Speaking of pets flashpoints, here's another - "cichlid." And yet another book that seems uncommon but isn't because it sells almost as fast as you can list it. Also, another book you won't miss because it's big, and the photographs are so gorgeous you'd probably grab it at a sale even if you hadn't read about it here. If you don't know what cichlids are, they're beautiful, often intensely colorful fish native to Africa that have adapted well to aquaria. This title appears in three editions, all of which should swim above $50. And - since you'll now be snooping around for cichlid books, you'd better learn how to pronounce it: (sik'lid).
DISCO BLOODBATH: DISCO BLOODBATH: A FABULOUS BUT TRUE TALE OF MURDER IN CLUBLAND. James St. James. Simon & Schuster. 1999. St. James' outrageous, sometimes gratuitously graphic account of party promoter Michael Alig's role in the murder of drug dealer Angel Melendez and the 1990's New York City club scene. More true crime with a quasi Hunter S. Thompson tone, this time clocking in at $200 plus levels. Sellers will proclaim this book's scarcity to heighten buyer interest, but c'mon. Mix a cup of Simon & Schuster and a tablespoon of 1999 in any bowl; bake; and you will not pull "rare" out of the oven. Seek and ye shall find
ORION BLUE BOOKS: ORION BLUE BOOKS. Founder Roger Rohrs wrote the original (ORION TRADE-IN GUIDE) in 1973 - a guide to resale values on stereo equipment, etc. Over the decades, Orion Research Corporation has evolved into the go-to guys for blue book values on numerous other products as well, including guitars, computers, cameras, guns and more. Today there are 11 volumes available, also a CD, also a website with monthly updates.

No single title in this series is what I'd call dirt common, but there are so many different titles and editions that you'll come across at least one of them with some regularity. Look for big, dark-blue volumes with the name "Orion" on the front board. Since content is time-sensitive only new or newer editions will work hard for you. Don't waste your money on anything that doesn't have a copyright date beginning with a 2.
EXOTICA: EXOTICA. Alfred Byrd Graf. Graf's huge, illustrated guide to exotic plants was originally published at mid 20th century. Since then it's morphed through a number of editions and formats, including 2-volume and boxed. Titles include (oldest to newest, also in order of increasing content) EXOTICA, EXOTICA 1, EXOTICA 2, EXOTICA 3 and EXOTICA 4. All have at least some value. Many have $50+ value. EXOTICA 4 will make your bookselling day, if not your week. Look especially for newer editions with tight bindings. Like many heavy books, Exoticas are especially susceptible to hinge damage and corner bumping. Also, booksellers south of the Mason Dixon line will come across these most frequently. Guess why.
HOW TO WRITE BEST-SELLING FICTION: HOW TO WRITE BEST-SELLING FICTION. Dean Koontz. Writer's Digest Books. It ain't often that a Writer's Digest how-to book piques collector interest - in fact, they're not often worth buying for resale - but here's a dramatic exception. Why? Koontz's star has risen meteorically in its wake. You won't find this title at every sale, but there are enough of them out there to make it worth looking for. $50 to $100 pie-easy.
THE INTELLIGENT INVESTOR: THE INTELLIGENT INVESTOR. Benjamin Graham. Harper & Bros. 1949. Think back to issue #1, and you may recall that we paid a visit to Mr. Graham once before - namely, in the Dodd collaboration and perennial bookseller pocket-liner SECURITY ANALYSIS. As luck would have it, he penned another book as well, and this title will sing sweet 50/50 songs for years to come. Numerous - and I do mean numerous - copies are out there in multiple editions and variants. Like SECURITY ANALYSIS, there's both collector and content interest. Any early edition throughout the 1950's will sell high and fast, and I come across these regularly. From there it's a sliding but steadily strong scale downwards - that is, fairly good things can still happen in the 60's and 70's, especially if condition is tight and a presentable jacket warms the text block.
COMMON STOCKS AND UNCOMMON PROFITS: COMMON STOCKS AND UNCOMMON PROFITS. Phillip A. Fisher. Harper & Bros. 1958. Another stock market guru, and a familiar pattern - both collector and content demand. Fisher's advice is near timeless and, more importantly, works. Many investors swear by it - if memory serves, even Warren Buffett. Again, tons of these out there, and early editions have strong appeal. There's also a 1997 Wiley production that enables the reader to look at this classic through the eyes of modern investment thinking. This too will often bring home the $50 pound of bacon.
PATHS TO WEALTH THROUGH COMMON STOCKS: PATHS TO WEALTH THROUGH COMMON STOCKS. Phillip A. Fisher. Prentice Hall. 1960. Different title and publisher but same writer, same result - well, this time you'll likely get to three figures, possibly to $200 and more. Not as common as the first, but still out there in significant numbers.
DREAM LOVERS: DREAM LOVERS. Dodd Darin. Warner Books. 1994. This title won't always get you to $50, but Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee's son Dodd produced a reasonably good story of his parents' turbulent relationship that, on the heels of Dee's recent death, is selling briskly at $30 to $40 and may for some time to come. Find a first printing, jacketed, in sweet shape - $50+. COMMON!
DICING WITH DI: DICING WITH DI: THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF BRITAIN'S ROYAL CHASERS. Mark Saunders, Glen Harvey. Blake Publications. 1997. More fun with recently deceased celebrities. Paparazzi Saunders and Harvey's densely illustrated account of their years-long hounding of the Princess and Royal Family, a quest that often produced images of Di at her worst. This title was pulled from some bookseller's shelves at the time of the accident, so copies are somewhat more difficult to come by today. With its UK-based publisher, I'm guessing that our right-shore readers should have considerably more luck tracking it down.
MANLY ART OF KNITTING: THE MANLY ART OF KNITTING. Dave Fougner. Threshold Books. 1972. Like horse books, knitting books are more frequently sold by booksellers on the distaff side of the border. However, perhaps some of you guys will be less reluctant to join the fun when you see what some of these things go for. This title, frankly, isn't common, and you'll be hard put to find copies for sale, but I'm tossing it in here anyway to help make the called-for manly statement. THE MANLY ART OF KNITTING, a slender, paperback collection of patterns for real cowboys, is very much worth looking for, usually "three figures" very much. I've included a picture so you'll know how to spot it.
ALICE STARMORE'S BOOK OF FAIR ISLE KNITTING: ALICE STARMORE'S BOOK OF FAIR ISLE KNITTING. Alice Starmore. Taunton Press. 1993. No doubt about it - Starmore is the shooting star of knitting, a near cult phenomenon. No knitter myself, I'm told that her stuff is in hot demand because the quality of instruction, design and illustration is peerless. I've heard several explanations for some of her books being hard to find - one that she'd had a falling out with her publisher and refused to allow additional printings of her earlier titles; another that the knitting craze peaked after some of her titles had gone out of print; or finally, that, once safely shelved in the home library, almost nobody wants to part with their Starmores. Whatever the case, I now head to sewing rooms looking for these, and I've found more than a few - so how scarce can they be?

Recently, I've also sold Starmore brand skeins of yarn for exceptionally nice prices too, and they are significantly easier to ship than books. Here are the Starmore titles (along with the one noted above) most likely to achieve 50/50 levels, and many of these will soar into three figures:
ALICE STARMORE'S CHILDREN'S COLLECTION: ALICE STARMORE'S CHILDREN'S COLLECTION
ALICE STARMORE'S CHARTS: ALICE STARMORE'S CHARTS
ALICE STARMORE'S SWEATERS FOR MEN: ALICE STARMORE'S SWEATERS FOR MEN
ALICE STARMORE - STILLWATER: ALICE STARMORE - STILLWATER
HOW TO LIVE WITH A BITCH: HOW TO LIVE WITH A BITCH. George Herter. Herter's, Inc. 1969. I have to confess I've been sitting on this one for months, waiting for an appropriate time to throw it on the 50/50 table. This isn't a book that most of you will want to read, but you will want to sell it. Until 1970, George Leonard Herter managed Herter's Inc., a Minnesota-based supplier of low-cost, higher quality hunting and fishing equipment, and he was a born catalog writer. My father spent years on Herter's catalog mailing list when I was growing up, and I spent many an hour reading his folksy, information descriptions. Also, I'm somewhat reluctant to confess I started a collection of animal tails. Yes, you could buy them from Herter's - cheap. Skunk, squirrel, raccoon, etc., and some exotic ones as well, along with plenty of other off-beat stuff. Anyway, due to mismanagement in the post-George era, Herter's went belly up in the 1970's, and Herter's stuff is mildly collectible today. Some of
his turkey calls are much sought after. The only high spot I know of book-wise is this title - a common book - and it's definitely 50/50 material. However, since it's essentially a borderline misogynistic, tongue-in-cheek guide to living with a you-know-what, you might not find it overly illuminating or appreciate its, uh, humor.
MANUAL OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION: MANUAL OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION. American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. This gets filed in our boring-books-that-sell-for-big-bucks niche - another 50/50 theme. I actually owned one of them in college. First published in 1929, it's a reference, essentially, for the design of steel structures, and its 9 editions behave in the familiar high-low-high or reverse bell pattern. 1sts are very desirable to collectors; 9ths are very (content) desirable to civil engineers and architects; 8ths and 7ths are still very much worth bothering with; at the 6ths level and lower, softness sets in until the collectors take over again at the back end. Complete 1-to-9 runs do very well as lots. This is a very plain-Jane book with color-coded editions and the circular AISC seal ever-present on the front (flexible) board. HINT: if you're going to peddle one of these on eBay, always put this in your title: AISC. Also take a nice picture or two, start it at a low opening bid, and wat
ch it climb to the price of dinner for two and corked wine at a nice restaurant.
THE ART OF COLOR.: THE ART OF COLOR. Johannes Itten. John Wiley & Sons. 1973. An astonishing book - no exaggeration. This isn't simply a technical artist's treatise on color but a profound philosophical/theoretical/spiritual journey as well. If you don't understand color on page one, you'll be a near master at the end. If you're an artist and haven't read it, get busy. Several editions are out there. Anything rocks.
WATERCOLOR, THE HOWS AND WHYS: WATERCOLOR, THE HOWS AND WHYS. Edgar A. Whitney. Watson-Guptill. 1958. Another 50/50, another W-G high spot. Wet-in-wet method watercolor artist Whitney's classic. You'll find this title on the shelf of almost every serious watercolorist, possibly chained down to prevent loan or theft, and copies will surface often. Nice condition and a comparably nice dust jacket can launch things over $100. A 2001 Dover reprint titled COMPLETE GUIDE TO WATERCOLOR PAINTING isn't the stuff 50/50 is made of, but this will sell quickly on fixed price venues.
LEARN WATERCOLOR THE EDGAR WHITNEY WAY: LEARN WATERCOLOR THE EDGAR WHITNEY WAY. Ron Ranson. North Light Books. 1994. 15 of Whitney's disciples collaborated to produce this $50-and-up celebration/elaboration of the master's methods. Common again.
IWO JIMA: IWO JIMA. Turner Publishing. 1997. 50th anniversary tribute to the valorous at Iwo Jima. What makes this title intensely desirable is previously unpublished material - narrative, photographs and maps. It doesn't hurt that it's a spectacularly executed publication. Leatherette hardcover issued without a dust jacket. Zoom.
SECURITY ANALYSIS: Security Analysis
Wall Street people collect this book in any edition except the current reprint. I sold two copies of this book, 2nd edition and 4th edition. 1st edition sells more than $1000 on ebay. The authors are the pioneer in stock market analysis. Warren Buffet was famed to be the author's faithful student and got rich by using the author's method. It is a classic book in the field. First edition first impression in fine condition probably worths $10,000.
BLACKâ€™S LAW DICTIONARY: Black's Law Dictionary
One of the things that makes this book so much in demand, is that genealogists are using it. They often need to look up various legal terms that are mentioned in estate records and land records.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Alcoholics Anonymous
Any printing of the first edition is considered valuable. 2nd editions of Alcoholics Anonymous are also starting to get up there....
CLAIR BEE: Sports stories for kids--probably best as lots.
THE AAMT BOOK OF STYLE FOR MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION-2E: The AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription-2E. Values on eBay range from $60 - 80
LAKESIDE PRESS CLASSICS: The collection of Lakeside Classics are the longest, continuously running series of Americana. Every year since 1903, The Lakeside Press an imprint of R. R. Donnelley & Son, has produced these carefully bound books as Christmas gifts to their employees, stockholders, vendors and business associates. The books in the series have never been sold by R. R. Donnelley, so their sale only occurs when the books have entered the secondary market.

Until recently the aim had been to reproduce a book which has been long out of print, extremely uncommon and only known to historians of the early West. Additionally, the book had to cover a subject matter which provides the reader with an accurate, first person narrative of events, times or places of the pioneering period of the U.S. All of the books in the series have been produced in a 16mo format with a uniform depth. With only a few exceptions, the volumes are roughly the same width as the publisher changed the weight of the paper employed to make appropriate adjustments.
THE AMERICANS: The Americans by Robert Frank
Robert Frank crisscrossed the United States during 1955 and 1956. The photographs he brought back form a portrait of the country at the time and hint at its future. Initially published iby Scalo. Jack Kerouac wrote introduction

....and LES AMERICAINS is worth even more...
A WONDERFUL TIME: A Wonderful Time by Slim Aarons
Aaronâ€™s long-out-of-print A Wonderful Time is a collector's item fetching closed to $1,000 a copy
STONES OF SUMMER: Stones of Summer by Dow Mossman
A well-reviewed, sprawling novel that dropped from view with barely a ripple, only to be revived when documentary filmmaker Mark Moskowitz began a quest to track. Both paperbacks and hardcovers of the 1972 edition are selling at $400+.
(no photo) LIBRARY OF GOLF: The Library of Golf 1743 - 1966
â€œThere is nothing outstanding about it. I sold one last night 295.00.â€ A must for the collector of golf books, especially desired for Murdochâ€™s insightful annotations
BIG U: Big U by Neal Stephenson
Paperback. Hugo Award-winning author's first book.
WHAT IS KARATE?: What Is Karate by Masutatsu Oyama
Published in the 1950s, early karate book became the foundation of the Karate movement in North America. Firsts begin at $600.
PUMPKIN MOONSHINE: Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor
Tudorâ€™s first book. Published 1938. Firsts in DJ = $1,250+
Eighteen Straight Whiskeys: Eighteen Straight Whiskeys by Michael Easton.
Out-of-print paperback. The story of love, liquor, poetry n' dreams and the 'stranger at the bar.'
ALBERT PAYSON TERHURNE-ALL BOOKS: Across the Line--Albert Payson Terhune
One of a number of books by Terhurne worth $500+. Wrote books about dogs in the 1920s and â€˜30s, Collies in particular .
SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT: Seduction of the Innocent by Fredric Wertham
1950s book on influence of comic books on â€œtodayâ€™s youth.â€ Even beat-up ex-library copies of 1954 ed. start around $140.
THE ALASKA RAILROAD: The Alaska Railroad by Bernadine Prince
â€œâ€™The Alaska Railroadâ€™ by Bernadine Prince is a good one. It is a two volume set and I sold Vol. 1 recently for 180.00 - got it at goodwillâ€ Set begins at $750.
GOR SCIENCE FICTION: Gor SF Books
Usually pb., by John Norman â€œGOR paperbacks-definitely, and especially the later titles. I have a small collection, but never seem to run across them much in my thrift searches. Tip: â€˜The Later the Gor the Betterâ€™"
MEN AT WORK: Men at Work by Lewis Hine. Classic work by photojournalist. First published in 1932. Later Dover Edition worth little.
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF STOCK TRENDS: Technical Analysis of Stock Trends by Robert D. Edwards and John Magee. â€œA book that is the bible for Technical Analysis for Investors that is very hard to find is the First Edition 1948.â€ Later editions also do well
ILLUSTRATED MODERN LIBRARY OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND: The Illustrated Modern Library edition of Alice in Wonderland
â€œDifferent series from the regular â€˜Modern Libraryâ€™ format, which also had illustrations. Marketing Ploy.â€

Series = 20 special editions produced by Random House (1943-48). Included plates in color. Conceived by Harry Abrams, then art director of the BOMC. Titles included Holy Bible, Brothers Karamazov, Pickwick Papers, Longfellow poems, Whitman Leaves of Grass, Don Quixote, and Thoreau's Walden, Alice in Wonderland etc. Originally slip-cased, later editions and reprints were offered in transparent jackets for better display. Books popular, but discontinued when prod. Costs rose beyond booksâ€™ intended price range.
WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BABY: What You Ought to Know About Your Baby by H.L. Mencken
Along with VENTURES INTO VERSE, one of Menckenâ€™s scarcest book. Copies go for $5K+.
BOOKS ILLUSTRATED BY ROBERT LAWSON: Many Lawson titles sell for $300+. The Wonderful Adventures of Little Prince Toofat written by George Randolph Chester = $3K+. John R. Neill and Dorothy Lathrop.
LOCOMOTIVE CYCLOPEDIA: Locomotive Cyclopedia
Definitions and illustrations of steam, electric and diesel locomotives for railroad and industrial service, their parts and equipment. Car Builderâ€™s Cyclopedia also strong seller.
HIKE AND THE AEROPLANE: Hike and the Aeroplane by Tom Graham.
Sinclair Lewis's first book, Hike and the Aeroplane, published under the psuedonym Tom Graham. Worth $1,000s.
TAKE BACK YOUR GOVERNMENT: Take Back Your Government
Paperback by Robert Heinlein (1992). Sells on eBay for $40+.
THE BUTTERFLY KID: The Butterfly Kid by Chester Anderson.
Psychedlic. Hard-to-find mass 1967 market paperback sells for $35+.
THE ENGLISH AT HOME: The English at Home by Bill Brandt
Batsford Press, 1936. Photojournalistâ€™s first book.
TILING AND PATTERNS: Tilings and Patterns by Branko Grunbaum and G.C. Shephard. Copies start at $75.
SEED IDENTIFICATION MANUAL: Seed Identification Manual by Martin, Alexander C.; Barkely, William D. Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.: University of California Press, 1973.

â€œIt's an illustrated manual of every seed from every plant in N. America. I put it on abe and amazon for $75 and got sales from both sites within 24 hours.â€
THE HOT-WIRED DODO: The Hot-Wired Dodo by Jack L. Chalker
Part of a trilogy. Pb. Published 1997. $35+ on eBay.
HERCULE POIROT: Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie.
Look for 1sts published in 1930s and 40s.
(No Picture) SPORTING AND CLUB HOUSE GUIDES: Buy all Sporting and Club House Guides and Histories. Book on the Moisie River Club, Denver Club, etc., have sold for $100+ for us in the past.
IMPROMPTU IN MORIBUNDIA: Patrick Hamilton, IMPROMPTU IN MORIBUNDIA
1939 First Edition only. (Pic may be of later edition.) Very rare. Hitchcock film ROPE based on book.
ANYTHING RELATED TO ASBESTOS!: Asbestos books, including books related to sheet rubber; catalogs by Goodyear, Okonite, Cyanamid. Market driven by litigation.
no photo) AMERICAN HOMES OF TO-DAY: American Homes of To-day by Augusta Owen Patterson
very rare. their architectural style; their environment; their characteristics. profuse illustrations throughout in blk/white. frontispiece in blk/white (residence of mrs. guy fairfax gary at jericho, long island w/ tissue paper protectioning. black cover w/gilt print. This is a book rather on aesthetics than on architecture
EXPLORING CREATION WITH BIOLOGY: Intelligent design for the home schooling crowd. Exploring Creation With Biology
Book/CD set pulling around $50 on eBay
DIGITAL FORTRESS: Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Hard-to-find book predated Da Vinci Code
BOOKS BY STEPHEN W. MEADER: Books by Stephen W. Meader
Collectible author wrote 44 adventure books for children between 1920 and 1969.
DISCO: Disco by Albert Goldman
Considered by some to be the best book on the 70s disco craze. Even ex-library copies sell for +$80
TRIXIE BELDEN PAPERBACKS: Trixie Belden series by Kathryn Kenny. Many sell for $40+.
SNOW ANGELS: Snow Angels [first edition] Stewart O'Nan
Authorâ€™s scarce second book. This book is smaller than average and easily overlooked.
(no photo) Shaggy B.E.M. Stories: Edited by Mike Resnick It's the same size as science fiction book club editions.
THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS: The Theory Of The Leisure Class by Thorstein Veblen.
The true first is worth a bundle. Later printings + his other books are sellable too. Photo of later printing.
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE (BCE): The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Look for book club edition that has the photo of the author on the rear of the dust jacket.
MONASTERY: Monastery by Patrick Whalen for $60.00
It looks like a run of the mill horror paperback.
PSCYHOLOGICAL WARFARE: Psychologial Warfare by P. M. A. Linebarger (Paul Myron Anthony). First Edition runs at $600+.

â€œâ€¦a well-known and respected political scientist and government advisor, was one of those early-20th century larger-than-life characters. In 1948, he wrote Psychological Warfare, considered at the time to be the definitive text on the subject. During World War II, during he wrote three non-SF novels - his first novel, Ria, followed by Carola (1948), also as Felix C. Forrest, and Atomsk (1949), a spy thriller written as Carmichael Smith."
RIA or CAROLA: Ria or Carola by Felix Forrest
First novel by Linebarger, who is best known under his Cordwainer Smith pseudonym. â€œAny copy of either Ria or Carola is valuable, but the firsts are definitely worth several hundred dollars. The reprints are equally hard to find, so they also bring good prices.â€
ATOMSK: Atomsk by Carmichael Smith
Written by Paul M. A. Linebarger under the pen name of Carmichael Smith â€” shortly before he began writing as Cordwainer Smith. This book draws on the principles of Psychological Warfare, a field which my father helped to found. His book of that title, written under his own name, is one of the classics of the field.
BILLION DOLLAR BABY: Billion Dollar Baby by Bob Greene.
A first-hand account of the Alice Cooper band's glory days â€œEven a tattered pocket book will go for good$$$s.â€
BEGINNING THE WORLD: Beginning The World by Karen Armstrong.
â€œSequel to Through the Narrow Gate. A former nun's moving and inspiring story of her journey into life.â€
INHERITANCE OF COAT COLOR: The Inheritance of Coat Color in Dogs by Clarence Little.
Prized by breeders. First published 1957, Cornell University
THE PINK DRESS: The Pink Dress by Anne Alexander.
Childrenâ€™s book. Sells for up to $200.
DEVILS GUARD: Devils Guard by George Robert Elford
Paperback tells (supposedly) true story of SS veterans sent by French to fight Viet Minh.
RICK BRANTâ€™S SCIENCE PROJECTS: Rick Brantâ€™s Science Projects
Things to make and do on the famous science adventure series. One copy on abe for $50.
DANGER BELOW! - Rick Brant #23: Danger Below by John Blaine
Last book in Rick Brant Series.
THE REAL ROMANOVS: The Real Romanovs as Revealed by the Late Czar's Physician and His Son by Gleb Botkin. â€œI had an ex-library book sell for decent bucks.â€
ICEBERG: Iceberg by Clive Cussler 1996
Even 1996 BCE worth money. â€œ[I bought a BCE] of "Iceberg" and I was totally shocked to see how much it was worth - a Clive Cussler fan website says it usually sells for between $100-125. This is a reissue of the real 1975 HB.â€
A SAND COUNTY ALMANAC: A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold . Only 1949 First Edition has value. Later (pb) editions common
MAN OF HIGH FIDELITY: Man of High Fidelity: Edwin Howard Armstrong by Lawrence Lessing
Hard to find Lippincott book on the man who developed FM broadcasting. Photo of pb., which goes for $35. HC, 20)+.
MY SIXTY YEARS IN ADVERTISING: Maxwell Sackheim-My First Sixty Years in Advertising
â€œThis book was retrieved from the public library garbage can. Very hard to find and had an unattractive torn DJ. Sackheim was an advertising genius who came up with the idea for BOMC to have you return the postcard or the book was shipped.â€
YOUâ€™RE STEPPING ON MY CLOAK AND DAGGER: Roger Hall-You're Stepping on My Cloak and Dagger

HC only. (photo of pb.)

Hall recounts his experiences as an American Army officer assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. First published in 1957 to critical and popular acclaim, his book has become a cult favorite in intelligence circles.

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Number of cards 99