The first editions of famous books mostly have an antique value attached to them. So while going through your ancestral property during a garage sale if you come across any such books give them some more importance. All sorts of first edition books new, old or rare are in demand. Sometimes the first editions of the books are signed by the authors themselves and if the books gain popularity in future, the price of these books can be sky-high. So if you are thinking of a giving your spouse a thoughtful gift this birthday, try out the first edition of the book he/she loves the most.
A number of points should be kept in mind while buying first editions of famous books. The reputation of the author, condition of the book, whether any controversies were attached to it are all kept in mind while determining the price of the book. Even if the book has slight damage, the price falls considerably. The number of copies published in the first edition is also taken into notice. Another factor which is turning out as a deciding factor is television or film exposure of any book which makes it famous overnight.
Some of the famous books whose first editions have high demand in the book market are Casino Royale by Ian Fleming the price of which is from £15,000 to £20,000, Dead Cert by Dick Francis which costs between £1,000 and £2,000 and Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin the price of which ranges from £1,500 to £2,000.
Very recently the first editions of Harry Potter's “Philosopher's Stone” and the Lord of the Rings series are being auctioned at high prices. A number of book stores, antique stores and various websites sell the first editions of famous books.
