>Thanks Maryelizabeth,
Sure, Paul!
>
> So am I right in the following:
>
>1. Most hardcover books are returnable.
Yes, if purchased from the publisher/vendor/distributor under those terms
and meeting the necessary criteria (Usually a deadline is established for
returning books which are technically Out of Print).
>
>2. If a book is remaindered and a store has a couple of copies on their
>shelves, these copies are returned since they are cheaper down the street at
>the local remainder distributor.
Yes, if the store doesn't deal in out of print books or have a reason for
keeping the hardcover on the shelf at full price when it's available for
sale elsewhere. For example, Mysterious Galaxy never sold its copies of
Vernor Vinge's _A Fire Upon the Deep_ for less than hardcover price, even
when it was theoretically remaindered by St. Martins, and we never had any
complaints.
Also, often authors get first dibs at buying any quantity of their
remaindered copies, and setting whatever price they think is appropriate on
them. Harlan Ellison is well known for doing this. And a number of other
authors who have done so can be found at the Basement of Books at the SFF
Net. (I think -- they may have moved it.)
Of course, there are always exceptions to these absolutes. :)
> On another topic, how can you tell if a book is a true First hardcover
>edition? McCaffery's _Dragonquest_ was originally a paperback issued in
>1971 and subsequently published in hardcover (as well as _Dragonflight_) in
>1978 when _The White Dragon_ was released.
> I've found a 1973 British hardcover copy of _Dragonquest_ and am
>wondering if it is a first hardcover edition.
> Any suggestions as to how to find out?
*I'm* really a new book dealer, and how to determine a first edition (which
doesn't actually mean the same as a first printing, but the two terms are
often used interchangebly) varies by publisher, when it was published, etc.
There are a number of internet info sources far more knowledgable than I. I
would suggest posting to rec.arts.books.collecting for starters. (BTW, this
is a discussion group, not a buy and sell group).
Hope this helps, and even though we took this off line before, I thought
others may be interested, so am posting it to SF-Lit as well.
Maryelizabeth
Mysterious Galaxy 619-268-4747
3904 Convoy St, #107 800-811-4747
San Diego, CA 92111 619-268-4775 FAX
http://www.mystgalaxy.com
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