I've been collecting first editions since 1998. After watching Jim collect books for years I became more interested in collecting them as a hobby. I was in Corpus Christi at the time ... not the best place for collecting first editions.
But there was a Barnes and Noble store and also a Half-Price Books store nearby to browse in.
I remember in 1998, I found several copies of Lee Child's Killing Floor ... discounted to $5. They were first editions ... one was even signed!
Lee Child received the Anthony Best First Novel Award for this book. The books had a value of about $50 for many years.
Lee made NY Times bestseller list for his latest book - he has written 11 now. Killing Floor is now worth $125. That's what Jim sold one for in 2007.
This is why I took up collecting first editions:
I'm often able to find and buy discounted or inexpensive first editions. ... then get them signed ... and hold them for several years as they (usually - but not always) ... go up in price.
Sometimes I have to pay more for a desirable copy and they don't always go up in value. So I try to pick carefully and buy as low as I can when collecting first editions.
Collecting first editions in 2007:
Patrick Rothfuss
The Name of the Wind
Daw
2007
F
Jonathon King
Shadow Men
Orion (UK)
2004
M
(various authors)
A Hell of a Woman
Busted Flush Press
2007
M
Sue Grafton
T is for Trespass
Putnam
2007
M
Denis Johnson
Tree of Smoke
FSG
2006
L
Kiran Desai
Inheritance of Loss
Atlantic Monthly
2006
L
Joe Hill
The Heart-Shaped Box
Morrow
2007
HR
Alex Berenson
The Faithful Spy
Random House
2006
M
Alan Furst
Dark Voyage
W&N - UK
2004
T
Joseph J. Ellis
American Creation
Knopf
2007
H
Jose Saramago
The Double
Harcourt
2004
L
Mark J. Penn
Microtrends
Twelve
2007
NF
Wesley Stace
by George
Little, Brown
2007
L
Jennifer Lee Carrell
Interred With Their Bones
Dutton
2007
M
Stevn Hockensmith
Holmes on the Range
St. Martins Minotaur
2006
M
Naomi Novik
Temeraire: Throne of Jade
Voyager - UK
2006
F
Richard Powers
The Echo Maker
FSG
2006
L
Kathy Reichs
Bones to Ashes
Scribner
2007
M
Sarah Monette
Melusine
Ace
2005
F
John Scalzi
Old Man's War
TOR
2005
SF
Ian Rankin
Fleshmarket Close
Orion - UK
2004
M
Dian Setterfield
The Thirteenth Tale
Atria Books
2006
M
Dan Simmons
Hyperion
Doubleday
1989
SF
C. J. Box
Open Season
Putnam
2001
M
Don DeLillo
White Noise
Viking
1985
L
Robert Crais
Lullaby Town
Bantam
1992
M
Robert Crais
Stalking the Angel
Bantam
1989
M
Robert Crais
The Monkey's Raincoat
Doubleday
1993
M
Robert Crais
The Watchman
Simon and Schuster
2007
M
Michael Chabon
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
Morrow
1988
L
Michael Chabon
The Yiddish Policeman's Union
Harper Collins
2007
L
Gillian Flynn
Sharp Objects
Shaye Areheart
2006
M
Sara Gran
Dope
Putnam
2006
M
Brent Ghelfi
Volk's Game
Henry Holt
2007
M
Reed Farrel Coleman
Soul Patch
Bleak House
2007
M
Alex Berenson
The Faithful Spy
Random House
2006
M
Mary Willis Walker
The Red Scream
Doubleday
1994
M
Mary Willis Walker
Under the Beetle's Cellar
Doubleday
1995
M
Note: F = Fantasy H = History HR = Horror L = Literature M = Mystery NF = Non-fiction SF = Science Fiction T = Thriller
For more examples on collecting first editions see:
Jim's Firsts
