River City Reading Festival: Abysmal Sales, Antiques Roadshow and Amazing Authors

After witnessing an awe inspiring sunrise driving through the Flint Hills of southeastern Kansas early Sunday morning, I arrived in Lawrence with high hopes of selling a few rare books, and helping a few people determine whether or not their old books were valuable. The fair, the first of its kind in Kansas, would start at 10 o'clock and run until 4 o'clock that afternoon, with a variety of readings, signings, presentations, exhibits, food vendors, children's activities, with the featured event being a talk and book signing by NewsHour/PBS TV personality Jim Lehrer.

My initial task at the fair was to set up an Antiques Roadshow style area to help people identify their rare books. Typically, all this means is that I get to be the bearer of bad news. "No ma'am, your 1912 Shakespeare reprint is not worth a million dollars." "While the sentimental value of this poetry collection is priceless, the book is not worth anything in the collectible marketplace." Most of the people who came to visit the booth were more interested in selling a collection they inherited from a deceased relative, but a few had books of considerable value, albeit nothing spectacular. Here is an excerpt from the brochure I passed out that gives some basic guidelines in determining whether or not you have a collectible book or just scraps of old paper.

Is My Old Book Valuable?

-Just because a book is old does not mean the book is valuable, and that includes Bibles.
-There are many books published within the last fifty years that have considerable value (see my copy of Atlas Shrugged).
-Any good book is valuable to the mind, if not to the pocket.
-A book is not worth what you are selling it for until you find a buyer.


3 Important Points to Consider In Determining the Value of a Book

1. Collectability- Is there significant interest among collectors for the book? Ahearn's Collected Books is an invaluable reference tool. Also, just because a book is a 1st Edition does not mean it is valuable, it must also be collected. Just because a book is signed does not mean it is valuable, the signature must be significant.
2. Condition- Do the book and dustjacket remain in excellent condition? Each flaw detracts from the value of the book (i.e. loose binding, underlining/marginalia, foxing, etc.) and significant flaws may render a book uncollectable.
3. Scarcity- The simple economics of supply and demand apply especially to bookselling.

After doing appraisals for several individuals for an hour, I moved downstairs to the author signing tent, where I was allowed to set up a booth with some used and rare books for sale to help pay for gas, if nothing else. Immediately upon arrival, there was a line of about 8 people waiting to have their old books appraised. Again, there were some interesting and peculiar items, but nothing of remarkable value.

The highlight of the trip for me was getting the chance to have some of the books in my personal collection signed by their respective authors. One of my many niche collections is a Kansas Literature and History collection. My girlfriend Heidi claims that "the only thing less exciting than living in Kansas is reading a book about living in Kansas." While I find her opinion humorous and somewhat truthful, I have to disagree. There are several authors living and operating in the Sunflower state who are particularly adept and persistent in their craft, and for whom I have great respect.

The first two authors signing at the table next to me were Craig Miner, perhaps the most prolific and well-respected living writer on the history of Kansas (Wichita in particular) and Scott Phillips, author of The Ice Harvest, which was made into a successful major motion picture starring Jon Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton. Both men were extremely affable, and also turned out to be my best (and practically only) customers of the day, each purchasing a book from my both and sharing some stories regarding their passion for book collecting. I quickly learned that one of the books I had for sale, a curious collection of noir short stories entitled D-Ray's Measures of Poison, had already been signed by Scott. I quickly removed the item from sale, and thus began my Scott Phillips book collection. I am excited to read and own copies of his two subsequent novels, Cottonwood and Walkaway.



I soon realized that the crowd at the Festival did not come prepared to look at or buy rare books, and it seemed like everyone that stopped at my table opened up my 1st Printing of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged first, saw the hefty but fair $1000 price tag, and stopped looking at or touching the books immediately. Most of the authors were curious and at least stopped by the table to chat, and I continued to meet interesting and entertaining folks throughout the day.
Roderick Townley, author of an acclaimed children's fantasy trilogy, stopped by to relate the tale of one of his most prized books, a Dylan Thomas collection of poetry originally signed to James Merrill, and subsequently inscribed to his niece, another friend, and finally Roderick.

I also spotted Kansas Poet Laureate Denise Low and Thomas Fox Averill, who were both more than gracious with their time, and were happy to sign multiple copies of books and anthologies for me. I felt surprisingly starstruck to be in the presence of two humble writers who have both been full-time authors and teachers for several years. Both writers also disprove my girlfriend's theory about books about Kansas being boring, as I find Low's and Averill's works bring the understated beauty and mystery of Kansas to life.



My two favorite people of the day were Stephen Wootton, owner of Studio Books in Lawrence (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SellerInfoPL?vci=855295 specializing in books on Film) and children's author and storyteller Lise Lunge-Larsen. When I arrived home, I had to confess to my girlfriend that I had developed a small crush for Lise, a beautiful wife and mother of three children, who told me about growing up in Norway with her father Asbjorn, one of Europe's most noted antiquarian book dealers. I was fascinated by her stories about growing up around 13th century illuminated manuscripts, First Edition Jungle Books, and signed Napoleon Bonaparte documents (http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/aifolder/aipages/ai_l/larsen.html). We got a few laughs looking through my copy of Bizarre Books, and I regret not purchasing copies of her lavishly illustrated books with an important message for my young niece and nephew.


All in all, sales totals for the day might have covered the cost of a tank of gas, which is all I had hoped for. I received valuable training in setting up a booth should I ever decide to exhibit at an Antiquarian fair. I met some interesting and amazing people, and look forward to attending next year's festival. My only regret is that I forgot to get a picture with Jim Lehrer to put on MySpace, but then I realized that most people under 40 wouldn't even recognize him. He was signing books directly behind me for at least an hour (Studio Books sold out all 80 copies they brought), and I had a master plan to convince him to purchase my copy of Why England Slept, John F. Kennedy's first book in a rare dustjacket, for $500. I'm sure he would've probably given me a look just like everyone else who walked by my booth that day did, a look that said, "Have you got anything less expensive?"

New Music Added to Kristian Recommends

http://www.lowestcostbooks.net/?page=shop/browse&category_id=577&CLSN_1745=118064174117459cd392379f5fb54fe6

Josh Ritter, The National (complete discography), Architecture in Helsinki, Justice, Bishop Allen, Spoon, Nick Drake, Magnolia Electric Co. Collector's Boxed Set (4 CDs, DVD, poster and medallion included), Hot Chip (new album coming early 08'!), Kanye West, Bruce Springsteen, T.I., Caribou, Okkervil River, Animal Collective, Air, Ryan Adams, Boards of Canada (received Pitchfork's perfect 10.0 rating, you be the judge), Minus the Bear, Townes van Zandt, The Knife, Dashboard Confessional, Rascal Flatts (yes, I'm recommending a pop-country CD), Rogue Wave (on Jack Johnson's Brushfire label now), The Sea and Cake, Josh Rouse, Silver Jews, Galactic, Patty Griffin, M.I.A., Radiohead (just kidding, but you can download it for the price of your choice at http://www.inrainbows.com/ )Battles, Klaxons, Sonic Youth and every Sly and The Family Stone album ever released!

Featured Books for Halloween Available at www.lowestcostbooks.com

Title: The Ghost Hunter's Bible

Binding: PAPERBACK
Book Condition: Very Good
Publisher: Zerotime Pub
ISBN Number: 0970310005 / 9780970310002

Seller ID: 0011173

0970310005 2000 Trent Brandon. This clean softcover copy has some wear, scratching, and creasing to the covers. The text is unmarked and the binding is sturdy. Contents include what to do if your house is haunted, why ghosts are here with us, how to get rid of an unwanted ghost, the methods of conducting a ghost hunt, techniques in EVP and video recordings, parapsychology, the truth about Ouija boards, famous ghost stories and much more. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Ships promptly.


Price = 75.00 USD




Author Name: P.C. Doherty

Title: Drakulya: Being an Account of the Life of Drakulya, Prince of Wallachia and the Bloody Deeds That Shaped the Legend

Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Fine
Publisher: Post Mortem Books
ISBN Number: B000X8P9VO

Seller ID: Q00448

B000X8P9VO 1997 Post Mortem Books. Signed by author P.C. Doherty and numbered copy 350/350. Comprising the first two volumes published in 1986 as The Prince Drakulya and The Lord Count Drakulya, now issued in one volume as originally written and proposed by the author. This clean hardcover copy has no dustjacket present, presumably as issued; otherwise this book is in excellent condition. The text is unmarked and the binding is sturdy. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. Ships promptly.


Price = 300.00 USD

Author Name: Richard Kieckhefer

Title: European Witch Trials: Their Foundations in Popular and Learned Culture, 1300-1500

Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good
Publisher: Univ of California Pr 4/1/1976
ISBN Number: 0520029674 / 9780520029675

Seller ID: 0017041

0520029674 1976 Univ of California Press, 1st Printing. "Magical attempts to spark love or arouse revulsion were roughly as common in the 14th and 15th centuries as were efforts to bring physical harm." This clean hardcover copy has light scuffing to the dustjacket and the previous owner's name stamped on the front free endpaper; otherwise this book is in excellent condition. The text is unmarked and the binding is sturdy. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. Ships promptly.


Price = 60.00 USD

Author Name: Kenneth Silverman

Title: Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-Ending Remembrance

Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: New
Publisher: HarperCollins 11/1/1991
ISBN Number: 0060167157 / 9780060167158

Seller ID: Q00205

0060167157 1991 HarperCollins, 1st Printing. Brand New. This clean hardcover copy (in a new dustjacket) is in excellent condition. The text is unmarked/unread and the binding is sturdy. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. Ships promptly.


Price = 17.95 USD
Author Name: Anne rice

Title: The Feast of All Saints

Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Fine
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN Number: 0671247557 / 9780671247553

Seller ID: NPO00051

0671247557 1979 Simon & Schuster, 1st Printing. Signed "Anne Rice 1989 New Orleans" on the front free endpaper. This clean hardcover copy (in a like new dustjacket with light shelf wear) is in excellent condition. The text is unmarked and the binding is sturdy. The publisher's remainder mark is stamped along the bottom outer edge of the text. Rice's second novel, which "explores a unique but little known society, free people of color, who flourished in New Orleans in the years prior to the Civil War." 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. Ships promptly.


Price = 150.00 USD
Title: Inkognito: The Card Game

Binding: GAME
Book Condition: New
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
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Seller ID: 0013513

158994108X Brand New, sealed copy. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. Ships promptly.


Price = 7.95 USD

How to End Up in "Little Sweden", and What to Do When You Get There

1. Meet a friendly and interesting couple volunteering at a booksale in Salina

2. Get invited to their house to evaluate a rare 1st Printing of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged

3. Browse their entire book collection, enjoy their lively conversation and appreciate their unique interior design style

4. Receive from them a flyer for the upcoming Lester Raymer art auction at the Red Barn Studio in Lindsborg, Kansas, home of legendary Prairie Printmaker Birger Sandzen

5. Decide to pull off Highway I-135 on the way back to Wichita to finally visit the town called "Little Sweden"

6. Find the town library, still open at 6:30pm, and run by the knowledgeable Karen Olson, who explains that your last name (Strom) was a military name in Sweden, and how most of the residents of Lindsborg have original Sandzen art in their homes. If poor Birger needed a new set of tires, he gave the mechanic original art instead of cash

7. Get a tour of the Lindsborg Library, or Bibliotek, with an original Raymer painting done for an art class at Wichita State, and home to a unique Swedish/Norwegian heritage reading room

8. Explore the large in-house library bookstore, and find a few rare, but appropriately high priced gems to buy and feature on your website

9. Stroll the quaint 4 block Main Street and discover the Anatoly Karpov International School of Chess, a shoe shop that specializes in clogs and wooden shoes, and a toy store that is going out of business, which makes you nostalgic, if not a little sad for its forthcoming exit from the town

10. Stop for a bite to eat at The Cookery, and indulge your adventurous taste buds with the authentic Swedish sampler, which consists of Swedish Meatballs (yum), Ham, and Pickled Herring (no thanks next time)

11. Leave the town at dusk with a full stomach, a car filled with books, and a desire to return in the Spring with a bicycle to explore some of the nearby backroads and art galleries