Author Spotlight – J.D. Salinger

By Adrienne Raptis | January 29, 2014 | Comments Off on Author Spotlight – J.D. Salinger

J.D. Salinger’s portrayal of cynical adolescence and the shortcomings of society is what draws many readers to his works. This representation can be seen famously in 16-year-old Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, and also in the young, brilliant band of misfits he portrays in his (albeit slim) published body of work. The…

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James Bond First Editions

James Bond First Editions

By Adrienne Raptis | January 29, 2013 | Comments Off on James Bond First Editions

There are many reasons why a Twentieth-Century novel may be well-written and well-received, and few books exemplify these features as Ian Fleming’s James Bond series does. Fleming’s fourteen-book long series is critically respected, successful, and highly collectible. They are some of the most popular spy thrillers ever written, and they look wonderful as a set.…

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Identifying The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings First Edition Issue Points

By Adrienne Raptis | October 24, 2012 | Comments Off on Identifying The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings First Edition Issue Points

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy are some of the most iconic and sought after first editions books on the market today. We could wax long about Tolkien’s imaginative style or the ways in which the books have affected our culture or children’s fantasy writers after him, but much has…

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Anne of Green Gables First Edition

Anne of Green Gables First Edition

By Adrienne Raptis | September 1, 2012 | Comments Off on Anne of Green Gables First Edition

Just over 100 years ago, Lucy Maud Montgomery introduced the world to a red-headed, spirited, orphan girl named Anne (with an “e”) Shirley. Since that first edition in 1908, this girl adopted into a little town called Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, Canada has been stealing the hearts of readers generation after generation and is…

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Identifying Stephen King First Edition Issue Points

Identifying Stephen King First Edition Issue Points

By Adrienne Raptis | August 7, 2012 | Comments Off on Identifying Stephen King First Edition Issue Points

Stephen King is, without a doubt, the most popular horror writer of all time. He has sold more than 350 million copies of his books worldwide, and, as you can imagine, there is a very large audience who desire first editions and/or signed copies in collectible condition. We always like it when we can find…

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3 Mistakes to avoid when buying first editions and rare books

By Adrienne Raptis | January 7, 2012 | Comments Off on 3 Mistakes to avoid when buying first editions and rare books

Book collecting can be a very enjoyable endeavor. Putting together a library of beauty and importance is an incredible journey that many find to be one of the chief thrills of their life. Like any hobby or pursuit, you learn as you go and sometimes make mistakes along the way. We would love, however, if…

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New York and The Age of Innocence

New York and The Age of Innocence

By Adrienne Raptis | January 18, 2011 | Comments Off on New York and The Age of Innocence

Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence was recently named the greatest New York novel of all time by New York Magazine‘s critic, Sam Anderson. Here is what he writes: “New York is, famously, the everything bagel of megalopolises—one of the world’s most diverse cities, defined by its churning mix of religions, ethnicities, social classes, attitudes,…

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Collecting Harry Potter First Editions

Collecting Harry Potter First Editions

By Adrienne Raptis | November 23, 2010 | Comments Off on Collecting Harry Potter First Editions

With the release of the latest Harry Potter movie, Harry and his friends are back in the lime light. The Harry Potter books are a phenomenon that has rarely been seen in the world. I could venture to say that there are very few books series that have been more read and more loved in…

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The Great Gatsby first edition…yes, we can judge a book by its cover.

The Great Gatsby first edition…yes, we can judge a book by its cover.

By Adrienne Raptis | March 29, 2010 | Comments Off on The Great Gatsby first edition…yes, we can judge a book by its cover.

When collecting modern first editions, so much of the value of a book is actually held within that thin and sometimes fragile piece of paper called the dust jacket. Those who are new to book collecting, may think this is a strange thought… but any true collector is sure to desire that perfect (or as…

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