Stealing Books-A Bookscout's Guide To Book Collecting

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Sections
  Introduction
  Chapter 1
  Chapter 2
  Chapter 3
  Chapter 4
  Chapter 5
  Chapter 6
  Chapter 7
  Chapter 8
  Appendix 1
  Appendix 2
  Appendix 3
  Appendix 4

Chapter 3 - Identifying First Editions (continued)

Another book that is interesting is Tom Clancy’s The Hunt For Red October. This book was the first work of fiction published by the Naval Institute Press. They printed a relatively small number of copies of the book. I read somewhere that only two thousand copies were printed in the first printing. It was sold mainly to Navy personnel. It was an unknown book until a reporter asked then president Ronald Regan what he was reading. He said that he was reading the Hunt For Red October by Tom Clancy, and the book instantly became a best-seller. A true first edition of this book will not have a price on the dust jacket, but at the same time will not be confused with being a book club edition as it weighs almost two pounds and is printed on good quality paper. The book club editions are generally shorter, thicker, and printed on cheaper quality paper. It will not list edition or printing on the copyright page. On the back of the dust jacket it will have six blurbs. I was scouting a bookstore, and was in the room dedicated to action adventure type books and spotted a copy of The Hunt For Red October on the shelf. I pulled it down, flipped it open and immediately saw there was printing information on the copyright page. The dust jacket was price clipped probably by a previous owner mistakenly thinking it was a book club edition in an attempt to make it appear to be a retail edition. But with all the correct identifiers I was able to tell it was a true first edition in the correct dust jacket. It was worth about $700 to 800 at the time. The book was in very good condition. The price listed in the book was $6. I added it to a small stack of books that I was buying. At the register I calmly paid the man, and carried the books across the street to where my car was parked. When I was in my car, I opened to book to reassure myself that I had just bought a first edition of The Hunt For Red October, and preceded to do a little dance. I was very excited. Following this, I sent a letter to Tom Clancy in care of his publisher saying that I had recently bought a first edition of his book and asking if I could send the book to him for him to sign. I received a reply from his assistant saying that Mr. Clancy would be happy to sign the book. I wrapped the book in bubble wrap and placed it into a self addressed, stamped, but unsealed priority mail box. I wrapped the box in brown paper, and addressed it to Tom Clancy, and mailed it at the local post office. Over half a year went by and the book had not come back, so I was thinking I might never see it again. I consoled myself with the fact that the book only cost me six dollars. Then one day about ten months after I sent it, the book came in the mail. It had been signed by Tom Clancy, and he also wrote in large block letters “FIRST EDITION!” I estimate the signed book is now worth about $1200 to $1500. Not bad for six dollars and some postage.

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