by Pamela Palmer

#138, 21 September 2009

Which fiction and non-fiction books are winners on eBay? Each month this series answers the question and, along the way, looks at the listing strategies sellers use to bring in big bucks. To learn more about what's in and what's out of the lists, read our Top 10 on eBay Parameters.

NOTE: Items numbers are now included in this article. They are in the individual auction comments section below the author and title. Click the links to see the listings.

The big news in the July top 10 fiction front was the sale of several science fiction and fantasy books. Venerable names such as Lovecraft, Heinlein, Herbert, and Arkham House were joined on the list by Edding's Polgara the Sorceress and Meyer's Twilight to fill half the list. In the area of non-fiction, Helmut Newton, Michael Jackson, and Muhammad Ali titles were interspersed with such works as Karakoram and Western Himalaya 1909 ..., the 2000 Hiroshi Sugimoto: Theatres limited edition, and a 1835 book on regency furniture. Continuing the best offer and BIN trend, only half the non-fiction list was purchased at auction.

eBay
Fiction Top 10
July 2009

#1 $3,000.00 Starship Troopers --- Robert A. Heinlein True 1st/1st
#2 $1,226.00 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1st Edition Signed
#3 $1,136.00 DUNE BY FRANK HERBERT 1 EDITION 1965
#4 $940.00 ERNEST HEMINGWAY SIGNED FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS 1ST
#5 $850.00 Bernard Cornwell - SHARPE'S SWORD UK F/VG SIGNED
#6 $710.00 H.P. Lovecraft "Three Tales of Horror" Arkham 1967 Nice
#7 $651.00 AUTOGRAPHED-MOONWALKER-BOOK-MICHAEL JACKSON 1st EDITION
#8 $600.00 David Eddings SIGNED BOOK! POLGARA THE SORCERESS
#9 $549.23 Twilight by Stephenie Meyer 2005 1st/1st First Edition
#10 $510.00 Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood - Limited, Signed

#1
Starship Troopers
Robert Heinlein
350187357355

An ex-library 1st edition/1st printing of Starship Troopers sold as BIN for $3,000. It was described as in very good condition with the dust jacket "near Fine, almost flawless."

#2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling
130318871537

The signed 1st edition in new condition attracted 6 bids before selling for $1,226.00.

#3
Dune
Frank Herbert
320395287580

17 bids took the 1965 1st edition to $1,136.00, following the seller's exhortation: "Come Get This."

#4
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemingway
380136264273

The 1940 signed 1st edition garnered 9 bids, selling for $940. Listed in good condition, it has "some fading on spine [and] corners lightly bumped."

#5
Sharpe's Sword
Bernard Cornwell
190319059175

Signed by the author, the 1985 reprint of UK Collin's Sharpe's Sword, sold as a best offer. The book was listed in fine condition and the dust jacket was in very good condition.

#6
Three Tales of Horror
H.P. Lovecraft
280371998606

The 1967 limited edition published by Arkham Houses attracted 29 bids. The book is in very good- condition and the dust jacket in very good condition.

#7
Moonwalker
The Storybook
Michael Jackson
250453184454

Michael Jackson autographed this 1988 1st edition softcover, listed in very good condition. 38 bids took it to $651.

#8
Polgara the Sorceress
David Eddings
390065050335

Selling with a single bid, the as new 1997 1st edition was signed by both authors, a husband and wife team, and "is inscribed to David's mother-in-law."

#9
Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
280369353389

Listed by a UK seller, the 2005 1st edition in good condition received 17 bids, selling for $549.23.

#10
Norwegian Wood
Haruki Murakami
140330698691

As 1 of 500 in the signed and numbered limited edition, this copy is enclosed in a steel clamshell case. "There is a card insert bearing Murakami's signature, his stamp, and .... number 471 / 500." 11 bids took it to $510.  

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