OT: Physical Book Prices

Used books are where it's at! I've always believed in the value of the printed word and I've been steadily stocking my library all along :) Many good deals can be obtained on Amazon used, or through AbeBooks. It is true that art books can sometimes be hard to find and/or retain high values (esp. if they are out of print). In the case you cite above, the book is both niche and newly printed so the used market can't help there. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet if it's something you decide you really truly want. I think the most I ever paid for a book (outside of something required by a University course) was around $40 for an copy of Organick's /The Multics System/ that was in "excellent" condition. I collect records too, same dynamics. I consider a nicely done book or record as more a piece of art... it can retain value as an object of art or as a collectible... you don't necessarily spend $50 or $100 and it immediately depreciates to zero. I wouldn't say printing is dead but certainly it's moved upmarket. As well, in a way, it's somewhat less ephemeral than bits and bytes. As you say, the Nook version doesn't do much for your coffee table. Best, Sean On Sun, Dec 14, 2014 at 5:55 PM, Charles Dickman <chd at chdickman.com> wrote: