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rslakinsk... rslakinsk...
 
M$1 February 05, 2009 01:26 AM

Is there any real market for signed books?

I have 1 book that I have signed by the author, and I got it because I really like her work. I have no intention on selling it, but it brought about the topic of conversation of what the resale market looks like for author signed books.
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albanian albanian
 
 February 05, 2009 10:24 AM
I'd pay a lot more for a book signed by Dickens, or Washington Irving, etc. In fact, they probably are mostly in museums. Or how about one of Grant's autobiographies or something by Teddy Roosevelt? But when it comes to modern authors, I doubt there is usually much difference even for famous ones. Unless the author is both famous and a recluse, there will be too many around. And if the author never becomes famous, or is famous and then forgotten, that won't mean much. The bottom line is supply and demand. You probably have to wait a hundred years, literally, to see if a signed book becomes more valuable.
However, some people collect them. Whenever something becomes collected, there is that much more of a market than there would be otherwise. Not much, if the supply is high, but at least a little.
I see a Stephen King first edition signed at over $500, and unsigned first editions of his books running around $60.
Source(s):
http://rarelibrary.com/book/Sign/198.00/KILLER+INSIDE+ME%2C+THE.html

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imsoronry imsoronry
 
February 05, 2009 01:35 AM
I believe that there is very little or no market for signed books. Of course there are exceptions like 1st editions and very limited releases. I have several signed books and they mean a lot to me. I think there has to be a personal connection between us and the author. After reading a book it touches you or it doesn't. When it gets signed another person doesn't feel that connection we feel after reading the book. Being able to connect with the person who made us feel a particular way if very powerful and it gets lost with 3rd party sales

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easyeboy easyeboy
 
February 05, 2009 01:40 AM
Signed books are usually the same price as regular books. Is the book a hard cover or a softcover? Is the book a first edition? Is the title a common or uncommon one? Is it flat signed or is it inscribed to someone? Is the author alive, and how frequently do they sign stuff? You realize that if the book is signed to you, (ie. Dear Ray), then the book will only hold a sentimental value for you. In very rare occasions, ultra famous authors who have come and gone, or if you have something rare that has been signed and there are collectors, then there may be more value for this book to some, yet for the most part signed books are just like collecting any autograph. A book from a sports athlete that has been signed may be considered valuable.

is a good site for determining values of books, as thousands of different booksellers list their inventories. You can generally ignore the highest prices (they may not sell at that) and get a good idea from the average selling price.

A site like Abebooks.com may assist you with finding the value of the book. You can search by binding type or signed and unsigned.

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space-ange... space-ange...
 
February 05, 2009 01:43 AM
I think it would have to depend on who the author is and what the book is, but i would say that nowadays there isn't too much market for things like that.

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spoon spoon
 
February 05, 2009 02:48 AM
Over the years of working at Bookstores I have had this question come up many many times. In general, there really is not much of a market for signed books by current, well known, authors... these signed books often mean more as a memory instead of an investment. Some exceptions always exist if you happen to have a rare book to begin with or a 1st edition but these are valuable because of these factors more than because of the signature.
Source(s):
http://www.alibris.com/


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