The Avid Collector

February 2008

Dear Book Lover,

This month's Avid Collector is full of mystery and intrigue. We're featuring a Fine Books & Collections article on the delights of collecting an entire series of books, like the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. We have a good chat with AbeBooks' bookseller Bruce Ausen of Murderers' Row Books and, in honor of the 199th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, our Pick of the Month is a copy of The Assassination and History of the Conspiracy. Uncover some fascinating literary secrets!

More Features

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The Most Expensive Books Sold on AbeBooks in 2007

Einstein's special and general theories of relativity were among the most expensive books sold on AbeBooks in 2007.

See the 10 most expensive books sold last year!

Have Your Books Valued

Want to know how much your most prized book is worth? Find out from The Book Guys' Allan Stypeck.

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Win a Bookseller for a Day!

Have your entire collection professionally appraised by an AbeBooks.com bookseller. We're looking for North America's most passionate book collector – is it you?

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Murderers' Row Books

Bruce Ausen of Murderers' Row books has been selling on AbeBooks for more than nine years. Based in Shorewood, Minnesota Bruce specializes in mystery, crime fiction and modern literature. Read Our Interview with Bruce Ausen and discover his passion for books.

Our Expert Booksellers answer your questions on rare and collectible books. View the Q&A

This Issue's Questions

1. I recently purchased For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. If possible can you tell me if it's a valuable copy?—Hugh

2. I just bought a Margaret Atwood first and it has "p. cm.", "PR9199.3.A8 07 2003", "813' .54-dc21", and "2002073290" on the copyright page. Can you please explain these numbers?—Lindsay

3. As near as I can determine, the top books for identifying first editions are those written by Bill McBride and Edward Zempel. Zempel's book is much more expensive. Is there any advantage to one book over the other?—Gerald

See the Answers & More Questions

With Abraham Lincoln born 199 years ago this month, February's pick is a very near fine copy, preserving the original paper covers, of The Assassination and History of the Conspiracy.

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