Pynchon 1st Editions

[Steve Dye]

>
>
>         My Viking hardback is, I believe, a second printing. I
> am abysmally ignorant inthese matters, but the countdown on the
> copyright page runs:
>
>         10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
>
> which I "believe" to mean the 2nd printing.  It also notes
> "First Published in 1973 by The Viking Press"
>
> The fellow I bought it from (for $15. marked down from $25) is
> fairly astute and mercenary, leading me to believe it is not very
> valubale.  Can anyone tell me otherwise?
>
> > On Sat, 23 Aug 1997 Alanballow at aol.com wrote:
> > > <<   They also had a 1st of the Viking Compass GR paperback for
> $50, but no
> > >       hc GR.
> > >       >>
> > >    Wasn't that the ONLY 1st of GR?  I bought one new and don't
> recall a
> > > hardback GR.
>
>         Hmm,  I will have to go back to the bookstore I visited
> yesterday in a town not too far from here.  There waswhat is
> undoubtably
> a copy of the the 1st printing Viking Compass paperback, in good but
> not great condition, selling for $12.
>
>         veg


A quick look at a couple of the net booksearch pages shows 1st eds in
wraps to be going for $20 to $75 and later pringings for $5 to $20.  1st
ed HB's $500 to $750 and later printings as low as $35.  Uncorrected
proofs are selling for $2500 to $2750.

Regards

Steve