So, I stopped in at Half Price Books on my lunch hour today and in the hardbacks, found this, priced to move at $5.00:You know it, of course, or if you don't, you should: J. Neil Schulman's first novel, a very nice bit of anarcho-capitalist agitprop that stands well beside Atlas Shrugged, The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, Kings of the High Frontier (I should read more Koman), The Probability Broach and L. Neil Smith's subsequent books. It's not always that easy to find in bookstores. I had heard of it but not read it until I met Tam; she loaned me her copy and I decided I was going to get one all my own.
Update: If you'd like to read this book, do me a favor: when you go back to View From The Porch, click on Tam's link to Amazon and buy it. You'll be glad you did!
Good intentions and all, I still had not. So for a fiver, this one was a no-brainer. I didn't even look inside.
Neither had Half Price Books. Or maybe they didn't care. Showing off my find to Tam this evening, I flipped it open. Oh, dear, previous owner has put his name in it and real big.
Hey, just a derned minnit:
His...name...?
Funny, it's a bit scribbly but that looks like....
It is! Yep. Signed. Numbered. First edition from that printer. One of five hundred and twenty-six. For just about pocket change. Worth what a buyer would pay for it and a seller would accept, right?
Now you're talking my language! I have signed first editions of Clarke, a signed copy of Dune, a bunch of signed paperbacks from a half dozen SF authors and a few mystery authors. I LOVE signed editions. SuWheeet!
ReplyDeleteThat was a good read. Nice find... I'm jealous. :)
ReplyDeleteHie thee down to the Stop-N-Rob and get thyself a lottery ticket!!
ReplyDeleteGood thing you DIDN'T look inside until after the sale; I can just imagine you in line and at the register, being Ms. Pokerface while trying not to do the Happy Dance.
Going back to the scene of the crime to see if there is ANOTHER signed, numbered copy??
And I'm more jealous than Alan.
I pick up copies of Alongside Night and his other novel The Rainbow Cadenza when ever I find them so I can give them to friends. Having signed copies would be neat. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteSweet find for a sweet lady!
ReplyDeleteIn case you didn't know, Schulman wrote, produced, and directed a film called Lady Magdalene's.
Haven't seen it, but it is supposed to be . . . a bit unusual.
Score!
ReplyDeleteJim
Great find!
ReplyDeleteAm green with envy.
ReplyDeleteAgree a lottery ticket would be a good buy.
Found a signed E.E. "Doc" Smith in back corner of store in Seattle. Re-bound for a library several decades earlier so had no real collectors value past the signature but I was more happy to put down my $8.00.
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteNow for a small challenge...
Are there any writers/singers/artists/photographers that you know and can encourage? I've been thrilled over the years to buy and beg as many works as possible from my friends and contacts - these have quickly taken a place of honor in my collection.
So, if you appreciate great writing, encourage it.
... and enjoy!
I have a signed copy of, "The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Jim Supica...
ReplyDeleteCool! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteOK, clicked Tam's link.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you are not aware, you can also pick up a free copy of his book "Stopping Power" in PDF form, from his website at http://www.pulpless.com/gunclock/
ReplyDelete