Will Harry Potters multiple printing locations cause debate about a true 1st?

[Baker Street Books]

As all good dealers know the three primary factors that determine a books value are Edition, Condition, and Sacrcity and they are pretty much in that order (and even that is debateable to some).

As for the future of collectible Harry Potter 1st editions, and I know this has already begun in some respects, will there be a debate as to what the true first editions will be? Of course we have the all valuable number line and the words First American Edition etc. But what about where it says "Printed in the USA 23" or "Printed in the USA 57" or numbers that indicate any other location? Were all these locales printing on the same day to fulfill the copious amounts of copies that were needed for the official release date? Or were they printing on different days thus making some copies technically an earlier copy?

Or will all this not amount to a hill of beans because the books from all the locations were printed as the First Edition and were all included in the First Printing release date? 

I can only help but wonder how far a hard core collector will go and say "NO! My copy was printed two days before your copy because mine is location 23 and yours says location 57" or something along those lines.

Anyone care to add to this?

Kyle

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

Hi Kyle,

I think the key on this is the source of the material.
The various printers should all have the actual text from the same source, with no potential for typos or minor errors that may distinguish a print run. I don't think the day or time should have much bearing. Editions have all to do with content don't they?

Bruce

[prying1]

In this case edition might have more to do with time. Which print shop started production and got it off the press first. Which bindery put the finishing touches to the first book?

Since, apparently all had the same computer disks with the same info on it they should be near identical except for the copyright page and special editions.

Would the International Date Zone make a difference?

Perhaps booksellers will just have to say, "stated first edition/location (London, NY Etc...)

[terrycollects]

Ultimately the megaprint run of this title will keep the value down. Too common, it's like the death of super man issues. In that mini series stores had to buy megaquanties in order to get the special editions, and they even through in more of the regular issues free on top of their orders.

[valuesoftware]

Isn't that the way it is with pretty much ALL really popular authors?...Stephen King, etal? With the number of books published, in any number of releases & with subsequent paperback releases, it seems to my that there's not gonna be much value with any of our most popular authors books. Newbie here, so am asking if my opinion holds any truth to it.

PJ

[prying1]

I once put 6 Danielle Steele (sp?) hardbacks (some 1sts/all with DJ) on eBay and got around 14 bucks plus postage  for them. I was thrilled somewhat  : cause it gave me space on the shelf. They came to me free in a box of books from a friend. Still more trouble than they were worth but I hate to just dump books. Something about my Scottish heritage I think. 

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

Hey PJ,

There is a constant in all of this. Whether it's an author that has produced millions of books (Like King/Grisham) or a great author with only 3 or 4 books out it is always the first 2 or 3 books that have a lot of value. When an author becomes mega-successful, I'm thinking King, Cussler then that may stretch out to the first 4 or 5 - after that values decrease dramatically. One of Cussler's 4th or 5th books, first printings, will still get you 50 bucks on eBay - Same as Grafton...
as for Potters - I'm not sure on the values of the books 2 thru 7.

Do you guys know roughly?

[valuesoftware]

Well, here's a 'for instance'.  I have the 1993, 1st edition of S.King's Nightmares & Dreamscapes (Hardcover) Amazon lists 411 used & new for sale, of course starting at a penny. (Amazon.com Sales Rank: #82,827 in Books) I decided to list it in 'collectible', and find 38 listed with prices ranging from $6.50 to $80.00, and then $150-$200 for signed copies. I priced it at $27.50, along with a bunch of other folks.  I have several other SK novels, likewise excellent condition, 1st eds. which I have listed at similar prices. Since it doesn't cost anything to list on Amazon, I'm not real concerned that they sit awhile. But, my question is whether anyone listing such items have any chance of selling them?

PJ

[prying1]

I guess the answer would be yes, no or maybe. - It's all a crap shoot anymore.

I think if your listing stands out in some way from the others it helps. If you take the time to post a picture where others don't for example.

[benjclark]

I think it will depend on Harry Potter collectors.  If they discover some kind of priority, it could cut the number down drastically of what will be considered a "true" 1st. 

[Bruce Hollingdrake]

Hi there Mr. Clark,

Glad you find your way in here. Hope you'll keep poppin' around.
Thanks again for the links a few months ago.

Bruce

[benjclark]

My pleasure.  I have some more links for your... somewhere around here...

blc

[Baker Street Books]

Hey PJ,

There is a constant in all of this. Whether it's an author that has produced millions of books (Like King/Grisham) or a great author with only 3 or 4 books out it is always the first 2 or 3 books that have a lot of value. When an author becomes mega-successful, I'm thinking King, Cussler then that may stretch out to the first 4 or 5 - after that values decrease dramatically. One of Cussler's 4th or 5th books, first printings, will still get you 50 bucks on eBay - Same as Grafton...
as for Potters - I'm not sure on the values of the books 2 thru 7.

Do you guys know roughly?

Just doing a quick search in Addall shows HP#2 1st/1st going for thousands if its signed but only $20 or less if not.
Im assuming its the same for numbers 3-7.
Now if your have an HP#1 1st/1st its worth quite a bit even without a signature. If its a 1st/10th its worth something decent.
Its at least worth your time to look at the 1st ed HP#1's.
There might be millions of them but the earlier ones are definitely getting some nice dollars.
......also if you cant get the whole collection of 1st's that in itself is worth quite a bit too.

Happy Selling
Kyle

[paperbackbandit]

This discussion is intriguing, since I never thought about 1st editions until a week ago.  I was working an event for Richard Russo and I had a customer get very upset that we did not have any earlier editions of Bridge of Sighs before a 7th printing.  He actually asked me to check all of the stock we had because "if I wait to get it signed after his presentation, it will be worth more when I sell it."  Fortunately, I was able to decline checking for him since I had dozens of customers waiting to purchase.  He looked through a few, then scoffed, and walked off.  He never came back afterwards, so I think he left without getting a signature.

[prying1]

If you see him again use your motto!