calvegas

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  1. Hi Stephen- Thanks for getting me into the text of this edition. I really haven't read from my first edition copy that much, being too uptight that I'll do something careless with it... But the answer is no; neither of those errors are present in the first edition. On 651, it says weigh, not weight. And on 236, it says sent, not went. It seems the original type-setters at Bobbs-Merril were pretty good! Do you have any more? Thanks! -Rick
  2. Thanks for contributing to the conversation, particularly the essays on the publishing history. It's fascinating stuff and makes me want to read the book again. It's noteworthy that we are still sorting through the artifacts of Bobbs-Merrill's difficulties with this book. What I want to know is when did those "well known first edition typographical errors" occur? Did you notice that the edition you referenced above from rarelibrary.com claims to be a first edition, yet they show the copyright page and it doesn't say "First Edition" where it should? It's not a first edition without the statement on the copyright page! (I'm not blaming you, of course, but that is the kind of thing that got me started on this post). And then you find seven more errors? Why aren't they well-known?
  3. From Ahearn's APG >>> 004b: THE FOUNTAINHEAD. Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis (1943). [1] 7,500 copies. Red cloth. First edition stated. Dustwrapper is priced at $3.00 with Bobbs-Merrill titles on back. $2,500/15,000 004c: THE FOUNTAINHEAD. Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis (1943). [1] 12,000 copies (estimated). Green cloth. First edition stated. In dustwrapper which is priced at $3.00 and has photograph of author on back with three critical reviews. First two lines on page 748 inverted. (Fine Books Co. 4/94.) $1,500/10,000
  4. Wow, I apologize, Brant. I was confused. Did I see you quoted somewhere? Because I read your post with a sense of deja vu. In any case, it's interesting that you have this personal, historical connection with the book in question... Wheels within wheels..
  5. Thanks Brant- You're quoting from something online, right, because I think I just read that same thing recently. It truly muddies the waters to think someone would issue reprints with first edition stated on the copyright page. I think if that were the case, it would be cited somewhere and we wouldn't be wondering.I don't agree that we have to assume that first edition means first printing, because why then would some have errors and some don't. It seems to me they had a first edition printing run, the first state, and it was perfect. The next time they ran the press, the second state of the first edition, there were some errors. They also changed the color from burgundy to green and modified the back of the the dust jacket for this second state. It still says First Edition where it should...but it's materially different from the first run they produced. Then at some point they went back to burgundy covers, like yours, but didn't correct the errors What I would like to know is after what printing did they drop the First Edition statement? Blackistone is the company that took over the printing from Bobbs-Merril, and we see those copies for sale today and they are recognizably different than those of the first state. Are there any fellow objectivists who can help me out here? I'm going to the UCSD library and not leaving without answers! Thanks Brant! -Rick
  6. You're right, it is nonsense! But that's why I wanted to get this conversation going... Why do some have errors and some don't? And how can people sell books as first editions that don't state "first edition"? There's a claimed 2nd printing is great condition for sale on eBay for 17,000. Silly price, no autograph, but they don't say how they know it's a second printing and the page that says "first edition" for a first edition doesn't say that. --Brant Wow! I saw that too, and it's so far out from left field it makes me think it must be a typo. $17,000 ! Did you see the one that sold for around $10 this weekend (from a book store in San Diego, near me no less) with very little information and no pictures. I can't help wondering what that was about...
  7. You're right, it is nonsense! But that's why I wanted to get this conversation going... Why do some have errors and some don't? And how can people sell books as first editions that don't state "first edition"?
  8. It was not an easy thing to figure out! I was confounded that I have this copy of The Fountainhead which says "First Edition" on the copyright page, yet it had none of the errata so many sellers point out. Then a similar book sold in April, with no mention of any errors, and this really got me hunting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=120583643621&nma=true&rt=nc&si=yAaaRrc57kvb59NGw53EtgorakY%253D#ht_548wt_922 I contacted a website called aynrandbooks.com to ask them about what I had. The site has nice pictures of AR first editions in their private collection. I sent pictures along with a verbal description, and the gentleman there confirmed my suspicion: "True first printings of The Fountainhead have no errors" he wrote back, and he went on to appraise my copy at around $2,500 in value, while pointing out that Ebay value is probably %25 less than that. I countered with the above recent sale, and from there we traded speculation on why the value seems to be going up. Maybe Hearn's APG might have some authoritative commentary on The Fountainhead first editions, but I don't own a copy of it. And it has been interesting tracking down the truth in absence of an authoritative guide. Maybe I will finally go to a bookstore and buy Hearn"s APG as I look for more diamonds in the rough...the internet has its' limitations. By now, after researching and thinking about this particular edition so much, it's worth more like $5,000 to me- for the mystery and intrigue along with the fact that this novel had a profound impact on me as a young man- but to a fellow enthusiast, I would sell it for half that... -Rick
  9. ]Thank-you, Brant for picking up on this old thread. You are right, many alleged Ayn Rand first editions on Ebay are vastly over-priced IMHO. It's scandalous how many of them are listed as first editions, when in fact they don't even state "First Edition" on the copyright page. They should say early editions instead. And then there's the issue of the errors, which so many claim to be "first edition points", when in fact those errata are not present in the true first printing of the first edition. ( What would Ayn Rand say about that? These mistakes have become salient selling points for dozens of pretenders, while the value of a flawless original is obscured by their legions) . The reason many of these "first editions" don't command high prices is obvious to an informed collector: they are not the real deal and they are trading on false assumptions. Caveat emptor! To be fair, my research has shown that there are stated first editions out there that have errors. They are not "true first printing" first editions, but who can quibble with the statement on the copyright page? To be honest, my research lacks sophistication, (Google/Ebay) and I would love it if there is a real authority on the subject who could set the record straight. As for the dust jacket, Brant, your musings were a little wide of the mark. This book with its' original dust jacket is worth way, way more. The odds of finding the DJ without the book are astronomically low. Separating the book from the DJ for sale is ill-considered in my view, while burning the book cover is an intriguing bit of madness. The facsimile book cover I purchased ($22.00 at facsimiledustjackets.com) adds nothing to the intrinsic value of the book, but it's nice, and historically accurate, but yeah, it says "Facsimile Dust Jacket" on the inside, so it will never be mistaken as an original. However, the value you arrived at, $2,500 seems to be about right on the mark. A true first printing, first edition of The Fountainhead with a facsimile dust jacket sold for $2,250 on Ebay in April. There is a similar one one to be found on AbeBooks, with a second state jacket, I believe, for $3,250. The book I have is in similar condition to these, so yes, your estimation seems in line with the market. Thanks for your response and the opportunity to expand on this topic!
  10. I have a nice, stated first edition of The Fountainhead that I would consider selling. It is a true first printing of the first edition; it has none of the errors present in later printings (It's ironic how many sellers point to those errata as selling points when a true first printing has no errors!) One of only 7500 in the first printing (before they ran out of the burgundy color for the cover) this book is a piece of history. It is in good condition. There is some rubbing on the corners and the gilt lettering is a little faded, but there are no markings or tears. The text and title pages are pristine, however there is a small separation of the binding on the copyright page. No original dust jacket, but it does have a new facsimile dustjacket which is a beautifully rendered copy of the first state jacket. I love this book and am happy to entertain any questions or serious offers.