|
Close this window to return to BookThink
|
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. In early January, we'll look back at the year and consider trends and highlights. To learn more about what's in and what's out of the lists, read our Top 10 on eBay Parameters. NOTE: For item numbers of auctions featured in Top 10, subscribe to our free email list by writing Editor Craig Stark at editor@bookthink.com.
Feedback numbers came to the forefront in February when the self-proclaimed #3 feedback leader on eBay hit the non-fiction list. Though sellers with 6-digit feedback aren't common, neither are novices with 4 feedbacks and 3 books in the fiction top 10. And if those numbers weren't enough for one month, another seller sold 2 books, and there was a 3-way tie.
Keep the number 11 in mind too; it's the count of UK sellers on the February list. In March, we'll measure the impact of eBay's stopping automatic inclusion of UK books on the US site. Will we say good-bye to regulars such as Fleming, Rowling, and Tolkien?
#1
A signed copy with a known provenance took this 1st edition, 1st impression copy of
The Spy Who Loved Me to the top of the fiction top 10. The UK seller, who also sold #4, inherited a large collection from his grandfather, who was in printing. The auction includes a letter from Ian Fleming about the signing. Listed as "almost as good as new," the 10-day auction with 9 photos garnered 6 bids to sell for $6,068.97.
#2
Selling as a best offer, the trio of first edition, first impressions were listed by a UK seller with 12 photos. Two of the books are described as having very good bindings with the third in good condition. All three have the original binding and are in facsimile dust jackets.
#3
The 1st edition, 1st printing of Casino Royale was listed by a UK seller in a 10-day auction with 6 photos. It was described as in very good+ condition; the seller notes this is from the 4,728 copies in this printing. After 23 bids, the book sold for $4,390.20.
#4
The UK seller of #1 also sold this signed 1st edition, 1st impression. Listed in a 10-day auction with 7 photos, the auction includes a photocopy of a letter to the seller's grandfather from Ian Fleming. Described as in very good condition, the book attracted 8 bids.
#5
In a change of pace from Fleming and Tolkien, #5 on the fiction list is a "very rare first edition
hardback" of Waylander, "one of only 750." The UK seller listed it for 10 days with 5 photos. Included in the auction is a DVD showing Gemmell signing this copy. After 5 bids, the auction closed at $3,024.36.
#6
Listed by a UK seller with private feedback in a 7-day auction with 6 photos, the signed 1st edition, 1st printing was relisted "due to a non paying bidder." Described as very good in a very good dust jacket, the book attracted 32 bids.
#7
Though the UK seller had only 4 feedbacks, he managed to sell 3 of the fiction top 10 in February. Listed "as new, unread" and signed by the author, the special edition UK deluxe clothbound edition was listed in a 7-day auction with 3 photos. It sold with 1 bid.
#8
Inside Out
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In a rare occurrence, February saw a 3-way tie for #8; all 3 titles appear regularly in the top 10
fiction lists. First was a signed, first edition of Inside Out by Nick Mason. The Genesis publication was listed by a UK seller in a 10-day auction with 2 photos and attracted 9 bids. Then on February 19th, the seller of #7 saw 2 more of his Harry Potter deluxe books sell for $1,957.10, making for a stellar payday. When a new seller with few feedbacks shows up in the top 10, particularly with multiple sales, we often check to see if the sales were completed. In the case of the UK seller of Harry Potter books, each of his/her 3 top 10 auctions received only 1 bid. These were private auctions, so there is no clear way to determine if the sole bidder in each case was the same buyer or if feedback was left.
In a 10-day auction, the Italian seller listed the 1969 softcover photography book with 2 photos. Described as "fine condition!!! First edition. Signed by Daido Moriyama.... This is the original Japanese first edition...." After 28 bids, the auction ended at $3,890.
Detailing extensive flaws - "Lacks the spine and dust jacket, original lithograph boards ... are chipped and rubbed.... The original lithograph cover is defective & in fair condition ...." - the positives outweighed them with the 14 bidders who carried the opening bid of $1,500 all the way to $3,688. It was listed by a US seller in a 7-day auction with 12 photos.
Coming in at #3, the signed1st UK edition published by Little, Brown was among 250 copies of this limited edition in slipcase. Listed by a UK seller in a 5-day auction with 3 photos, the book attracted 4 bids.
Ever seen an action that was more about the seller than the for-sale item? Took me quite a while to
find enough info to guess at the title. Here's what we know from the auction:
"Box of 2 Peter Beard Books." Another clue: The volume in the sole photo is part of a
Taschen limited edition in a case. The photo helped confirm that this is likely
Peter Beard: Art Edition. Condition is "appears brand new or factory sealed...." Listed in a 7-day auction by a US seller, it attracted 30 bids.
The 1st edition, 11th printing in a special binding sold for $1,691 with 11 bids. Signed by Bill Wilson, it was described as "very good with some wear ... writing and underlining." It was listed by a US seller in a 7-day auction with 6 photos.
"Near flawless copy" was the description of this prize-winning novel by the US seller who listed it in a 7-day auction with 3 photos. It received 1 bid and sold at the opening price of $1,500.
Selling as a BIN, the US seller with 6 feedbacks described it briefly as, "used/read once, in perfect condition" and included no photos.
Called an "ultra rare book," the 1988 softcover was described as in excellent condition. A US seller listed it in a 7-day auction with 5 photos. After 7 bids, it sold for $1,380.
The limited edition (3074 of 5000) was signed by the author and includes 12 autographs by Eric Clapton, George Harrison and others. Described as "new...never opened," it was listed in a 7-day auction with 2 photos. After 19 bids, it sold for $1,227.
11 sellers were from the UK
*feedback is noted at the time the auction is viewed by BookThink.
Copyright 2003-2011 by BookThink LLC
|