Collectable Books and Old Books

the written word....
a wonderful collectible choice!

I'm a big fan of old books myself I can spot one a mile away at a yard sale (well, maybe not that far, ha.) and usually have to have them if I find them.

The selections I'm listing here are some of my favorites because they are either unique or a personal interest to me, like Stephen King books. A longtime Stephen King fan, I love to find his earlier books....so far, I have one real treasure for the Stephen King book collector so be sure to check that one out below. If you are looking for a specific book or books by a specific author, email.

Are these mint? To me, mint means perfect and new or look like new. The only mint books I ever saw were new, still in plastic. I have tried my best to indicate all blemishes or imperfections but if you are a mint-only book collector, email me with questions you may have.

Just in! Two vintage, rare books by Robert W. Service. I was so interested in these when I came upon them in my treasure-hunting expeditions. I thought they had the feel of something great and, in researching the author, I see my instincts were good. They are by Robert W. Service. I don't have pictures up yet but the titles are "Ballads of a Cheechako", copyright 1909 and "The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses", copyright 1907. I'm asking $300 for both, which is a bargain.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Purple hardback cover with green spine, ebossed diamond design. Dust Jacket Cover in near perfect condition, with only the tinest of upturn at bottom. Hardback purple cover also very good but does have some evidence of scuffing. Of course, this isn't visible with dust jacket on. ISBN 0439064864, Copyright Number Line: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 9/9 0/0 1 2 3 4. First American Edition, June, 1999, Printed in the USA 37

I'm certainly not a Harry Potter book expert but, from what I've been able to garner, this is not a true first edition, and the dust jacket is what is called "stage two" due to the imprint of the 2 on the spine. Checking prices on the internet, they seem to range from $45 to $65 for this particular book so I'm pricing mine at $40 plus shipping. This book is in excellent condition.

<<===MORE FIRST EDITIONS TO YOUR LEFT and BELOW

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban This hardback book also in excellent condition but not a first edition.

Like the Chamber of Secrets book above, the dust jacket cover for this one is also illustrated by Mary Grandpre'. Both books are published by Arthur A. Levine books and Scholastic Press. Cost for this Harry Potter collectable hardback is $20 plus shipping.

Dust jacket has very, very small scuffs on a couple of corners but no tears. Spine seems a bit bowed but all internal pages in tact and unmarred.

Bargain First Edition Copy available: I also have another first edition copy that has a little bit more damage to the dust cover. It is not torn but is bent at the top and has a little bit of wear on the edges of the dust cover. Book is in great shape, no bent pages or problems there. Reduced to $10 plus shipping. If ordering, specify whether you are buying the bargain copy or the $20 copy.

The Late Show, Autographed by Helen Gurley Brown.

Helen Gurley Brown is an icon in the publishing industry and, as only she can, she tackles the onset of menopause and aging with all the humor of a veteran Cosmo Girl.

The Late Show is a funny, engaging look at growing older in the spotlight with practical ideas on how to age more gracefully. Helps any woman face this time of her life with verve, clout and self-reliance.

Condition: Excellent. No torn pages, colors still vivid on cover. No tears in cover. $50 plus shipping.

Early Stephen King - This is a 1977 copy of The Shining by Stephen King. I thought I had found a genuine treasure when I first found this book but you have to read the fine print in those collectible books!

Although this book is from 1977 and collectible, it is the Doubleday Edition and does not state first edition

If it were from Garden City and was a first edition, the asking price for NM is $200 to $350.

Condition: The book itself is in really good condition, all pages look clean and in tact. The cover has a water stain down the side, not terribly noticable but there. Back has one noticable small water stain and same stain down seam as front. Slight scuffs as one might expect from a book this old and the bottom tip of the cover page is bent under. $7.00 plus shipping.

The Bobbsey Twins in the Mystery Cave - I believe I read this very book as a child. I seem to remember the cover and the title. I loved the Bobbsey Twins! Remember Freddie and Flossie, and the twins, Bert and Nan? What adventures they had. Great books for children.

This is a hardback from 1960, published by Grosset and Dunlap. Author is Laura Lee Hope.

Condition: The spine and edges show some wear, as do the corners, consistent with being well read. All pages in tact. One scuffed off place on the front effecting one letter in the title but all writing still perfectly readable. $3.50 plus shipping.

The Story of Geronimo by Jim Kjelgaard By the author of Big Red. Geronimo was a well-known Apache chief,southern Chiricahua band. This is his story, as told by Jim Kjelgaard and is illustrated by Charles Banks Wilson. Geronimo was a fearless warrior who plundered the Arizona countryside for many years before accepting the white man's treaty.

Condition: The spine and edges show some wear, as do the corners, consistent with being well read. All pages in tact. Staining on a couple of inner pages but nothing interfering with words. Just shows aged dinginess on sides of pages, consistent with age of book itself. Hardback, 1958. $4.00 plus shipping.

Experiences of David Dare in Bible Research This 1933 paperback is not in great shape. It has obviously been read over and over, and though all pages ae in tact, the spine is scuffed, corners on pages turned up, and it's just very well read. Please email for larger picture but just know, this is a well-worn reference book that may be of interest to bible scholors, those of the Adventist faith and those who collect religious memorabilia. Written by Earle Albert Rowell. $10 plus shipping.

I've been unable to find a copy available anywhere online, which leads me to believe it might be out of print and rare. For those of the Adventist faith, in particular, here are the chapter titles: The Scoffer Scoffs, Challenge to a Prophecy Contest, The Test Begins, How to Disprove the Bible, Egypt Confounds the Unbeliever, The Daring of Daniel, Every Jew a Miracle, Skeptics Compelled to Witness for the Bible, Infidel Ruler Tries to Break Prophecy, Christ-the Heart of Prophecy and History, Infidels Testify for Christ, Confessions of Leading Living Infidels, Converted Skeptics, What Christianity Has to Offer; Conversion of the Emersons and What Has the Skeptic to Offer?

Plots of the Operas Tower Books Edition, First Printing, 1943. This is a wonderful collectible for the opera enthusiast. Contains 266 stories of the Operas including The Barber of Seville, Carmen, Faust, Samson and Delilah, Othello, La Boheme, Hansel and Gretel, Martha, Prince Igor, Pelleas and Melisande, Lohengrin, Lakme, The Emperor Jones, The King's Henchman, Tristan and Isolde and 251 other operas. Hardback.

Condition: Good. Cover has a tear at top and is worn on side, consistent with being read often. One small stain, top inside cover, no words effected. $7.50 plus shipping.



Are you a math book collector? I found this absolute treasure at a yard sale, just lying around with a bunch of knick-knacks and crafts. I grabbed it up immediately because I realized that math books of this age were someone's passion! Maybe yours?

Elements of Algebra From International Textbook Company, Scranton, PA

This is the 1939 edition of Elements of Algebra. The pages of this book are in excellent condition with the only marking being a 10 on the inside cover, indicative of a previous price at some bookstore or another, I'm sure.

The cover is worn on the spine and edges of spine, and corners are turned down on cover but spine is in tact with no loose pages. A must-have for math book collectors. $25 plus shipping.

First Edition, Jane Fonda Cookbook Cooking for Healthy Living. This is a hardback first edition collectable cookbook, by actress and health / fitness advocate Jane Fonda. Published in 1996, by Turner Publishing, this gem includes 120 easy low-fat recipes.

Whether you collect cookbooks, celebrity memorabilia or just want a fantastic cookbook, this book will add to your collection. Retail marked on this book is $29.95. My price, $15 plus shipping.

The inner pages are all crisp and like new. Dust Jacket cover in tact and in excellent condition with only the smallest of little indents on the front from being shelved or moved. No tears.


To be added soon: I have 10 first edition hardbacks to add to the site soon, an autographed Kay Kuzma, Sue Grafton and Kay Arthur. See column to your left for list of first edition hardbacks available.

Got books to sell? If you want to sell your book collection, or just find out what it might be worth, visit C. Dickens.

At C. Dickens, they specialize in rare books and collectible books as well as historical documents, maps, manuscripts and autographs.

This book collecting online store also has a great selection of articles on collecting, including information about collecting Mark Twain, Illuminated Manuscripts, The Beatles, Franklin Mint and Easton Press, World Maps, Books about Birds and more.

Coming soon! First edition coffee table book, U2BYU2, in excellent condition. Near mint really. Beautiful book and must have for Bono fans. Also, will be posting advance reading copy of Rocket Boys, before it became the hit movie "October Sky".