Vagrants.ca - The Accounts of a Book Hunter

Vagrants Books Expands

blog@vagrants.ca — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:57:03 +0100

I am proud to announce that I have joined the team at Book Selling Online Blog and will continue to grow and provide the resources you have come to depend on them for.

I will be working with Lucas in order to free up his time to work on his new project Book Sale Scout. He will continue to provide support and guidance in order to maintain the quality of information you have come to expect from BSOB.

I bring over 10 years of e-Commerce experience to BSOB and will be available to answer any questions you may have.

If you have any subjects in particular you�d like researched, or additional information on marketing streams that are not covered within the scope of BSOB - you can email me here: blog [ a.t. ] vagrants.ca

I sincerely look forward to working with you all and want to make sure we can work together in order to continue the level of excellence Lucas has already brought to us all.

Sincerely,

Paul Benoit

Does The Spine Match the Guts?

blog@vagrants.ca — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:25:17 +0100

Sometimes you get burned.

I purchased a book that I thought was the first printing of the first edition - it had all the correct numbering and text on the copyright page and was in very good condition.

Only after I picked it up did I notice that the publisher on the title page did not match that of the boards. I don\'t want to give specifics but let\'s just say that close attention is required when evaluating a book for purchase.

I always remove the dust jacket and do a thorough examination of the boards, I just never thought I would need to confirm the publisher was the same on the spine as on the copyright page.

I suspect this was the result of too many first printings and the publisher sold the overstock to another publisher.

Since I have been burned this way, I just want to make sure none of you guys will. Pay attention and verify everything! :)

This is very important when comparing an original edition to a book club edition. Sometimes the smallest nuance will tip you off to it being a book club copy.

Bugs and Mold

blog@vagrants.ca — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:25:57 +0100

Sometimes your books can become sick. Bugs, mold, and mildew can, and quite often, will invade your books and try to take over.

Is there anything you can do?

Yes - Although it is not a guarantee.

The best way to try and get rid of your pest problem is not to call the Arkin Man, but to do the following:

Place your book inside a ziplock bag being sure to squeeze as much air out as possible.
Place the baggie in the freezer for a day or two
Once you take the ziplock bag out of the freezer just open the mouth. Air contains moisture and when air is frozen and then thawed it creates moisture that can also harm your book.
Leave the book like this for a day - being careful to monitor the book and the moisture level - you do not want to fix one problem just to damage the book with water.
If all looks good - then you should have a bugless book. Make sure to keep it in isolation for a week - just until you are sure the critters are gone.

The best policy, however, is to always make sure you store your books properly and you do not buy a book that has bugs, mold or mildew and then store it with your clean books.

Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King

blog@vagrants.ca — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:06:18 +0100

Author of Heart Shaped Box, Joe Hill, is apparently Stephen Kings son!

While Joe Hill did not want his full name - Joe Hill King - as his byline, he has succeeded in getting his novel: Heart Shaped Box on the New York Times best selling list for 7 weeks straight and still going strong.

I personally have not read the book yet, but will be picking it up soon as I am dying to see how Joe Hill compares to his pop. Of course, this is the main reason why I am sure he decided not to have King in his name.

Feedback from newsgroups and other reader review groups are quite positive. While they have mentioned a similar writing style to Stephen King, it is definitely a story completely of his creation.

If you have read Heart Shaped Box I would really like to hear any comments you may have - just attach them to this article.

Conversations with Book Dealers

blog@vagrants.ca — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:29:13 +0100

After we announced the launch of our web store, we spent some time talking with other dealers about modern first editions and the impact the internet has had for sellers and collectors alike.

The majority of sellers thought the internet has been bad for the collectible book market. I actually believe the net has been very positive.

Granted the margins are not as high, but then again much less overhead is necessary and many more people are able to enjoy book collecting.

Advance Reader Copies (ARC)

blog@vagrants.ca — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 02:23:18 +0100

Advance Reader Copies can be the rarest of the rare. These are copies of the book, usually in hardcover, that are released to new bookstores, critics, media services, etc. This is to help pre-market the book and generate interest before they ultimately release the first edition.

If you are very lucky, you can find the occassional ARC - but inspect it very carefully. ARC editions are usually passed around a lot and can be in poor condition.

These copies are also hard to find from Amazon or other large bookstores as the selling of them is discouraged by the publishers. They consider it bad form to resell the editions they release for free.

If you are an Anne Rice fan - Vagrants.ca has a fine/near fine edition of Lasher that is actually the Second Printing Before Publication. Before publication makes it even more rare than the First Edition, and therefore more valuable and collectable.

Click Here to buy or learn more about the Vagrants.ca copy of Lasher by Anne Rice

As a book collector - finding an Advance Reader Copy can be a thrilling opportunity - never let one slip through your fingers if you can avoid it!

Vagrants.ca Online Store Now Open

blog@vagrants.ca — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:24:23 +0100

We are proud to announce the Vagrants.ca online store is now open and ready for business. We have 40 titles of very nice collectible first editions and will be adding more in the weeks to come.

Please take a look and provide any feedback you would like.

Click Here to launch the store

Remainder Copies and What They Are

blog@vagrants.ca — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:01:35 +0100

Remainder markings are the bane of any collector.

They are usually just magic marker swipes across the pages on the edges in order to devalue the book. Now I know that sounds strange, but there is a certain logic to it.

Publishers are in the business of selling new books. When a book first comes out, sometimes they print too many copies to be sold and then have to discount the price in order to sell them. Remainder markings are a way that publishers can avoid getting scammed by new book retailers.

A new book store will purchase a number of copies from the publisher at a set rate. When the publisher makes too many copies to be sold at the original price - they will mark the books and then sell them to the book retailers for cheaper. The remainder markings protect the publisher from a less than honest merchant who tries to get credit from the publisher off the original price of the book rather than the discounted price.

For the collector, this can pose a problem. Books can grow in popularity after the paperback version is released, making the First Edition valuable again. That is, unless it is a remainder copy.

Remainder copies are still first editions, they are just not in true original condition, therefore not as valuable as a \"clean\" copy of the book. It is really frustrating, especially if you\'re not watching for the remainder markings.

I have been burned by purchasing books I am on the look out for, only to discover they have been remaindered. So! Pay very close attention to the descriptions of available books. Most book sellers will state if their copy is a remainder copy or not and hopefully adjust the price. Also look closely on all edges of the pages. There is no standard method of remaindering, so it could pop up anywhere.

As long as you are watching for it, you should not have any problems. And as I\'ve said before, the only thing wrong with a remainder copy is it is not quite as valuable as a clean copy of the same book.

Start Collecting Today!

blog@vagrants.ca — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:30:07 +0100

A lot of people are afraid to start collecting books. The list of reasons.

Here are some popular book collecting myths:

1. I will never be able to afford to create a book collection

False
The books showcased on Vagrants.ca are just a small example of the many books available that are both desirable and affordable.

2. Collecting is great, but I can never find the ones that I want to hold on to

False
Email Me! I love searching for the books that people want to collect. I am already doing it and have no problems keeping my eye out for that edition you are looking for. There are also many other books scouts scouring their channels who will find the books that you want.

3. Only books from dead authors have any value

False
I am positive a lot of Authors just sighed a breath of relief... The beauty of book collecting does not rely on the author, but on the book itself. A good book will always be timeless. A First Edition signed, or Advance Reader Copy is even better.

4. The only books worth collecting are ancient and too difficult to maintain

False and False!
Modern First Editions have taken the art of book collecting to another level. Authors who are best seller toppers like Stephen King, James Patterson, Michael Crichton, Mitch Albom, Janet Evanovich, to just to name a few, are not only available but will also appreciate over time.

Enjoy rare and collectable books from your favourite authors at any time in their career and you will love both the growth of your library and their value.

FleaMarkets Fun or Foul?

blagblag@blag.com — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 17:49:12 +0100

My wife and I went out to a couple of fleamarkets this weekend to see if we could dig up some nice books.

Both were okay but not stellar. Do not get me wrong, they have some really neat stuff (aeroplane ashtray stands, 8 track players, crystal lamps with peacocks on them - my wife did not think those would work in our place for some reason), but no really nice books.

We saw some old books in crappy condition with big prices, but nothing worthwhile. Well... that\'s not entirely true, I did find 3 books that have some value, Darkest Hour and Midnight Whispers by V.C. Andrews and The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck. All three of which are available for under $20.00.

The V.C. Andrews books are in really nice condition - just not terribly rare, but I was sorry to see the Steinbeck not looking as nice as it could.

I think I would say that the flea markets are fun - just do not be fooled by the prices! It appeared to me that most of the pricing decisions were only based on how old the books were - not whether they were rare or in demand. The 12th edition of an Aerospace Engineering textbook from 1978 just does not get many people exicited.

That being said - if you are hunting for books in fleamarkets, go nuts! Just remember it is more of a fun expedition rather than a serious purchasing excursion.

Stupid Dumb TAPE!

blagblag@blag.com — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 01:17:58 +0100

I found an enormous deal - a veritable diamond in the rough.

A First Edition copy of Barbary Shore by Norman Mailer. Not in fantastic shape, but it was only $2.00. It had some pencil writing on the inside page and price tags TAPED to the cover.

I thought with some care, I would be able to bring it back to near fine condition and make a couple of dollars on the sale of it.

While I was in the process of removing the tape, it actually tore fabric off the front board of the book. I just about cried! This is a fantastic novel that would have been a very nice addition to any collection.

Now it is ruined because of tape!

This is a special call to everyone who buys books. NEVER PUT TAPE ON THEM. You will simply be destroying the natural beauty of knowledge. Books can withstand centuries, but not when they are abused.

Let the future enjoy our past.

Are You A Book Collector?

blagblag@blag.com — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:30:00 +0100

If you are a book collector - this article is for you.

Simply post a comment to this entry and when I am on my scouting trips, I will be sure to keep my eye out for your request.

In your comment - please say what book you are looking for, what edition, what kind of condition, and whether or not you are looking for a hardcover with a dust jacket or a paperback.

Be sure to include your email address in the comment - it will not show up on the page - but it will let me contact you when I find what you are looking for!

Estate / Content Sale

blagblag@blag.com — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 02:54:05 +0100

Vagrants At An Estate Sale

I just went to an estate sale figuring I\'d see some great deals on their books. Not so...

I was amazed at the poor condition of the books they had. I found a first edition paperback from D.H. Lawrence and a couple of first editions by James Patterson - Now the Patterson books were published in the late 90\'s but they looked like relics from a century earlier. It really turned my stomach to see books that had not been taken care of. Especially some that a collector would really enjoy.

Imagine walking into a smoke filled bar with a roaring fire and seasoned drinkers sloshing their drinks everywhere. Then picture these drunken fools grabbing a book from the mantle and in loud slurred voices quoting verses spraying spittle the entire time.

That\'s what these books looked like. Needless to say I wasn\'t able to add any books at all to my collection (not even some for trade).

Introduction to This Blog

blagblag@blag.com — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:11:08 +0100

Hi fellow bibliophiles!

I would like to share the experiences I have going through the dusty shelves of old bookstores, the stacks at the local thrift store, and ultimately, the highs and lows of book hunting.

What is Book Hunting? Well, you don\'t wear bookend camo and have a fancy utility belt, but you do need to learn as much as humanly possible about publishing, literature, and what the book industry is up to.

The principal is the same as the stock market - buy low and sell high :)

The joy for me comes from finding a hidden gem among discount bins and bringing that book to someone who will truly enjoy it - cause lemme tell ya, it ain\'t for the money.

As I go through the many mistakes and triumphs awaiting me, I will share them here!

Be sure to return often to catch the updates - and I will be developing a mailing list as well so you can be notified when updates happen.