Authors. Writers. Literary Figures.

[imac220]

How do you all go about finding signed books at thrift stores? Open up every book? Any tips or hints?

 

[TBTwinsFan]

How do you all go about finding signed books at thrift stores? Open up every book? Any tips or hints?

All I do is open up each book. I only do hardcovers (non-library) and high quality paperbacks (basically the books that weren't printed in hardback form) because that's where they will more than likely be. I skip children's books and any how-to books that don't have a big name author on them. I always go through the cookbooks.

I always look at every page up to the title page.

It helps to have a smart phone with internet access to google search any sigs you are unsure about.

You also need to know how to spot pre-prints off the bat. There won't be too many autopens out there but be on the lookout for them as well just in case.

Inscriptions, personalizations, and bookplates are a good sign about authenticity, but that isn't always the case.


The biggest tip is to be patient. I can spend 2+ hours in a book section just going through hardbacks. It's paid off every time and I have gone and I have hit some good selling author's.

I hope some of that helps.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

This is an auto I would like to add...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLIVER-WENDELL- ... 5891a37318

I don't think it's widely known, but Sir Conan Doyle was a fan of Holmes' work and liked the name "Holmes," so he named Sherlock Holmes after him. "Sherlock" came from a cricket player.

His son was Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. He was a Supreme Court Justice who started the phrase "Shouting fire in a crowded theatre" (or something along those lines).

 

[TBTwinsFan]

One of the local thrift stores has a 50% off sale (at least they did today I saw) so I am going to head up there tomorrow and give the book section a look through. I am only taking $5 and change, so hopefully I find a few for low prices.

I came up empty, however, for a Dime, I got a Newt Gingrich hardback book. I am not a fan, but he is a good TTM signer, so hopefully he isn't too busy to sign a bookplate for me. His wife did the photography so I am going to ask her to sign a book plate as well.

There was one book that was signed by somebody... It was an older book. It wasn't the author but the name wasn't printed in the book... it was a signature. I should have taken a shot on it but I decided against it. They will still have it so I may run back and get it.

 

[Therion]

One of the local thrift stores has a 50% off sale (at least they did today I saw) so I am going to head up there tomorrow and give the book section a look through. I am only taking $5 and change, so hopefully I find a few for low prices.

I came up empty, however, for a Dime, I got a Newt Gingrich hardback book. I am not a fan, but he is a good TTM signer, so hopefully he isn't too busy to sign a bookplate for me. His wife did the photography so I am going to ask her to sign a book plate as well.

There was one book that was signed by somebody... It was an older book. It wasn't the author but the name wasn't printed in the book... it was a signature. I should have taken a shot on it but I decided against it. They will still have it so I may run back and get it.

It is probably the signature of whoever owned the book. But for a dime, it never hurts to give it a shot.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

One of the local thrift stores has a 50% off sale (at least they did today I saw) so I am going to head up there tomorrow and give the book section a look through. I am only taking $5 and change, so hopefully I find a few for low prices.

I came up empty, however, for a Dime, I got a Newt Gingrich hardback book. I am not a fan, but he is a good TTM signer, so hopefully he isn't too busy to sign a bookplate for me. His wife did the photography so I am going to ask her to sign a book plate as well.

There was one book that was signed by somebody... It was an older book. It wasn't the author but the name wasn't printed in the book... it was a signature. I should have taken a shot on it but I decided against it. They will still have it so I may run back and get it.

It is probably the signature of whoever owned the book. But for a dime, it never hurts to give it a shot.

The Gingrich book is unsigned so I wrote to him and his wife (she did some of the photography and her name is listed on the cover).

It's another book from the '50s. I will have to go back and see if they have it.

 

[TwinGnats]

I was reading this thread last night, so when my wife decided she wanted to stop at a goodwill tonight I figured I'd try it. Well, after 20 books I realized I just don't have the patience for it so I just started looking for books that I would like. I saw one and opened it up and it had a personal message and a signature. The message was "Aimee- The best part of this, for me, is meeting you and seeing that and all the airplanes are worth it." I figured it was probably from a co worker or a client or something.

I look it up anyways when I got home and I'm pretty sure I got one of the authors (two co-authors). The signature is very elaborate but mine is condesed vs. the examples that I saw where they had the whole page without the message. Then I found another signed book that had a message albeit different with the same type of black sharpie writing in it. Now my problem is I have no idea with author it is.

The book is Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.

Best example I can see it in the below link, it's the top signature. Dead giveaway is the little scribble at the end.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/affiliate/3808042993/

Success I guess, especially since it's a book I actually want to read.

How do you all go about finding signed books at thrift stores? Open up every book? Any tips or hints?

All I do is open up each book. I only do hardcovers (non-library) and high quality paperbacks (basically the books that weren't printed in hardback form) because that's where they will more than likely be. I skip children's books and any how-to books that don't have a big name author on them. I always go through the cookbooks.

I always look at every page up to the title page.

It helps to have a smart phone with internet access to google search any sigs you are unsure about.

You also need to know how to spot pre-prints off the bat. There won't be too many autopens out there but be on the lookout for them as well just in case.

Inscriptions, personalizations, and bookplates are a good sign about authenticity, but that isn't always the case.


The biggest tip is to be patient. I can spend 2+ hours in a book section just going through hardbacks. It's paid off every time and I have gone and I have hit some good selling author's.

I hope some of that helps.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Nice Success!

It takes a lot of patience, that's for sure. One of the ones I go too are incredibly large, but it's fun to find a signed book.

I haven't heard back from Newt Gingrich. I am kinda disappointed but I am not ready to call it a failure since he is campaigning and probably doesn't have a lot of time to sign stuff.

Pat Robertson was in the news today... I found one of his books a few months ago.

 

[IndyManning18]

Found a signed book at GW over the weekend.

Inscription reads:

Gilberta Cosulich Guth Pierson (Cosulich=Maiden name, Guth=First husband(The fighter pilot) and Pierson=second husband)

To Mary and Chick - A true fighter pilot and his lady.

With best wishes, Gilberta

Feb. 25, 2007

 

[JackLondon]

Hi all, added another Franklin Library title.

This is one of my favorite short story writers. Have wanted a signed book of his for quite a number of years and got this one for a great price. Signature is a little faded, but looks much clearer in person than the scan shows. He signed it in a light greenish felt pen (did this with most of the Franklin Library editions, it seems).

So here it is. The Wapshot Chronicle by John Cheever, Franklin Library Signed Edition.

 

[tm decomposer]

Hi all, added another Franklin Library title.

This is one of my favorite short story writers. Have wanted a signed book of his for quite a number of years and got this one for a great price. Signature is a little faded, but looks much clearer in person than the scan shows. He signed it in a light greenish felt pen (did this with most of the Franklin Library editions, it seems).

So here it is. The Wapshot Chronicle by John Cheever, Franklin Library Signed Edition.

Whoa! Awesome pick up!!!

 

[MaineMule]

My 2nd success at GW- signed "Comeback" by Dennis Conner. Need to scan auto......my other success was Gen. Colin Powell

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Nice! I haven't been bookhunting in quite some time.

 

[MaineMule]

Nice! I haven't been bookhunting in quite some time.

I LOVE book hunting....wish I had more GW/SA stores around. I think I am 2/6 in finding a signed book- .333, not bad in baseball terms

 

[TBTwinsFan]

I don't remember what I am... probably 4-6 w/ 8-9 signed books, granted a few of those I didn't get a chance to go through the entire store.

I love doing it too, it just takes patience. I haven't found anything huge yet but every signed book is a + for me.

 

[JackLondon]

Got a new addition to my Beat poet signature collection.

Reality Sandwiches by Allen Ginsberg:

Would have to win the lottery to ever afford a Kerouac signature, but am almost done making payments on Burroughs, Corso and Ferlinghetti signatures.

Will post those when I have them in hand soonish.

 

[exigussrex]

That Ginsberg is awesome! What makes a Kerouac signature so rare? There's a check he wrote to the IRS on the bay for ~7 grand at the moment

He seems like someone who wouldn't sign autographs much.

 

[JackLondon]

That Ginsberg is awesome! What makes a Kerouac signature so rare? There's a check he wrote to the IRS on the bay for ~7 grand at the moment

He seems like someone who wouldn't sign autographs much.

Most of his signatures are on notes/letters or documents like checks. I think that he signed fairly often, but, like Babe Ruth, the supply of his signatures will never be able to meet the demand. Thus, the astronomical prices! T

ruly the FIRST thing I would buy if I ever win the lottery.

 

[JackLondon]

Just added two more to my Beat author/poets collection.

First is a nice City Lights edition of a Lawrence Ferlinghetti poetry collection:

Then, got a really nice private press, limited edition signed copy of "Four Poems" by the amazing Gregory Corso. His stuff is kinda tough to find, so was thrilled to find this one online for a pretty affordable price:

 

[JackLondon]

One more for my Beat poet collection.

ARC of Ghost of Chance by William S. Burroughs: