Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Edward Stratemeyer in Half Price Books Calendar

I was shopping in Half Price Books the other day and purchased over 30.00 so I got one of their calendars free--these calendars feature literary figures' birthdays and other information throughout the calendar as well as coupons in the back to save throughout the year.

I decided to turn to the April to see if perhaps Nancy Drew was mentioned, nothing. Then turned to October--and on the 4th of October it lists Edward Stratemeyer along with Brendan Gill and Damon Runyon--neat!

If you have one of these stores, check it out! It looks like they have then in AZ, CA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MN, MO, NE, OH, OK, PA, TX, WA, and WI. Check out their website for locations near you:

http://www.halfpricebooks.com

Jenn:)

Monday, December 08, 2008

Secrets of Nancy Drew Revealed: Univ. of MI at Dearborn Speech & Exhibit

The University of Michigan at Dearborn held a reception at the Berkowitz Gallery in the Mardigian Library on September 12, 2008 to go along with an exhibition on children's series books including artwork that was displayed. The exhibition, “Timeless Treasures: Children's Series from the Juvenile Historic and Quigley Collection,” was on display from September 12 through October 24. The displays included many different series books with highlights on Nancy Drew, Mildred Wirt Benson books and series, and Tom Swift. There were Laura Ingalls Wilder books and memorabilia and Oz too plus a nice Uncle Wiggily display.

I was contacted last year about speaking at the event. In doing research for the exhibition, they came across my website and decided they’d like to focus especially on Nancy Drew as a draw for the reception. You can visit this section of the university’s website for more information on the exhibition:


And you can access a nice newsletter online that covers the event and has photos:


My focus on the presentation was Nancy Drew history over the years and the various formats and collectibles with a section on Nancy Drew cover art. I featured some of the Tandy and Nappi art as well as Gillies for the classic books. Over 100 attended the event. It was very interesting to meet everyone who attended which included some writers who had written articles about Nancy Drew. There were many fans of all ages and quite a few librarians.

This was the first time I had been flown in for an event to speak. The accommodations were lovely and the weather was great—cool and rainy compared to the heat and dryness of Phoenix. We went to lunch the day of the event at the old Henry Ford mansion on the campus which offers tours. They converted an indoor pool room into a dining room. The food was great and the service excellent—I’d recommend a visit to the estate for anyone visiting the Dearborn area. After the reception I attended a small private dinner with the organizers, some university employees and those who had donated or loaned quite a bit to the collection.


The library is accepting donations of series books for the collection. One nice thing about this collection, is that they don’t loan out the books, they keep them there, if anyone wishes to view them, then they can do so in-house. So, if you’re looking for a place to donate some of your series books or you would like to find a home for them at some point in the future, consider the University of Michigan at Dearborn’s Mardigian Library archives.

Being so close to Toledo, Ohio, I managed to work out my return flight a few days after my talk which gave me time to visit friends in Toledo and do more research on Mildred Wirt Benson. I stayed with Sleuth Rick and his wife Brenda who hosted our group on two occasions in the past and as usual they were super hosts! I did some book hunting with Rick at an antique mall outside of Toledo and checked out Frogtown Books. I found a few books but the neatest finds were at the antique mall. I came upon two large hardcover sets of St. Nicholas magazines bound—several issues in each volume. I found two of Mildred’s short stories!

I had received permission to visit the Toledo Blade’s library to research past columns. On a previous visit in 2002, I had visited there and had gotten some research, which led me to the public library to access past issues of The Blade. Apparently I’m not a whiz with microfilm, as I managed to get some articles home that had only page 1 and not the second part of her column. So I had made a list of what I needed on this current visit and those articles were printed and ready for me at the Blade. I also accessed more of her older columns on microfilm and went through several boxes they have archived there about her. They have articles on her, books that mention her, and other miscellaneous items as well as a lot of photographs of her over the years. They also have a lot of her columns—clippings—saved in folders that I was able to go through and copy. Some other things she wrote and a neat interview that was done with her and a Blade employee before she died. The transcript is hilarious to read in parts as it was really a tug of war between Millie and this employee at times over questions being asked and answers being given. I think they were both probably exhausted by the time it was all over.

I also spoke to some of the employees there about her and a few other locals and got some leads to follow. All in all, I sent back a huge box of copies and notes to myself to add to my stack of growing clues to just who is Mildred Wirt Benson beyond the whole legacy of her just being most famously known as Carolyn Keene.

If you are interested in contacting the university to donate books or set up a donation in the future, please contact Barbara Kriigel:

Barbara J. Kriigel
Associate Director for Circulation & Technical Services
University of Michigan--Dearborn
Mardigian Library
4901 Evergreen, Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
313/593-5614
bkriigel@umd.umich.edu

Jenn:)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

John Axe

It is with sadness that I make this post today, I just couldn't yesterday. I spoke to Sleuth Rick yesterday and he let me know that John Axe passed away. For those of you who don't know John, he was a series book collector and had written several series book guides that were very nice. All About Collecting Boys' Series Books and All About Collecting Girls' Series Books and The Secret of Collecting Girls' Series Books. They are not in print anymore, but you can usually find copies of them at eBay or other online bookstores from time to time. He especially liked the Judy Bolton series and attended the Coundersport gathering each year, except for this past year. He had quite a wit about him and was very creative and talented, so it was sad to see him decline in the last year of his life. We used to exchange very entertaining e-mails and I have missed that over the last year. He always had something interesting to say and was a great help to collectors. He will definitely be missed!

Jenn:)

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Nancy Drew Book Hunting Adventure



I was recently in Michigan and Ohio in September for a speech I gave at the Univ. of Michigan--check back for a future Blog on that soon--and also some research and book hunting in Ohio! I met up with Sleuth Rick who hosted us for our first official convention in Toledo in 2001 and some other fun Sleuth events in 2002.

We visited Jeffrey's Antique Gallery located in Findlay, OH. That place is huge! Tons of dealers and quite a bit of series books here and there! I'm including a picture I snapped of one shelf of series books--click on it for a larger image. If you are near Findlay, OH, I'd recommend stopping in--it's located right off the main highway, 11326 County Rd. 99, phone number: 419-423-7500.

Also including a picture of the place--you can't miss it traveling down the highway!



Here's a display of series books from a local bookstore in the Phoenix area: Book Gallery in Mesa on Main Street. They have a very large and nice selection of series books! Many in dust jacket.

With eBay becoming less and less fun for collectors, less and less interesting books and collectibles being listed, and more and more books and collectibles constantly being purchased by resellers who drive up prices and from whom I won't buy from generally, it's a lot of fun to scout your local area and see what is out there. Plan book hunting trips with friends. You might be surprised at what you find! Don't forget to check out the antique stores and malls--they often have series books and reasonable prices too!

Jenn:)

Monday, October 27, 2008

Ned & Nancy's Roadster


Ok, here goes another update.

So, this may not be Ned in Nancy's roadster, but I found this little car at Wal-Mart in the Christmas section. Wasn't too expensive. I have it displayed on the shelf! If only I had a mini Nancy figure to go with it.

Jenn:)

Friday, October 24, 2008

Nancy Drew License Plate!



It's been a loooooooooong time since I posted! Life--and Nancy Drew--have a way of getting in the way of keeping up with this Blog!

A lot of family drama and tragedies, the convention, flying off to Michigan to speak there, and lots of other things like my party company with our major Halloween sales, and here we are again! So, I'm going to start regularly getting back to this and our favorite feature of eBay Sleuthing! Woohoo!

First entry is my new license plate!!!!!!!! It's personalized. Something I've wanted for ***ages*** too! NCYDREW ! I'm including photos.

So if you see me driving around the Phoenix area, honk! But don't give me a flat tire, waylay me or make me take a fake detour!

Jenn:)

Friday, August 22, 2008

Nancy Drew UK Girl Detective Movie Set Update



I received my set of Girl Detective books from the UK.

Not sure if this is a new item or not, but I found a 7 pack set of the UK Girl Detective books along with the Nancy Drew movie novelization all shrinkwrapped together--which I highlighted in a recent Blog entry here.

The back has a card showing the book covers and the movie novelization cover with the blurb, "Now a Major Motion Picture." So this is a neat UK collectible for the movie. The movie novelization has the words novelization as novelisation and word color as colour--keeping in the style of their spelling. So the noveliz(s)ation itself may likely also have things changed within. I'm not opening my shrinkwrapped set, so if anyone has one of these from the UK, maybe you can see if there is a difference inside as well.


I was just happy to get the set of UK Girl Detective books at a good price, but to find it's a movie-tie in collectible is an added bonus!

I've updated my movie section at the website--if you're interested in seeing all of the fun collectibles out there, check it out:


Jenn:)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Nancy Drew Convention Merchandise!

Fellow Nancy Drew Fans,

I think we've outdone ourselves this year for our Nancy Drew Sleuth convention merchandise! We have officially licensed Nancy Drew again and have expanded greatly on our merchandise both as to artwork styles and as to products available! Lots more art and more products. Also all sizes, kids/jrs/women/unisex for the clothing and many more clothing selections this year.

Limited quantity/limited time--sales only through October 31st. I won't have a lot of this at the convention due to space/leftovers issues so Cafe Press is the place to shop! You can learn more about the shop, see sample images of what we're using on the products and see sample product images at our website:


Or go straight to our Cafe Press shop and start shopping:


We really went vintage this year and are using a lot more vintage Nancy Drew cover art as well as the cute and whimsical blue multi pic endpapers! Plus the Witch Tree covers--our theme--and a neat Nancy Drew silhouette hex sign created by Sleuth Kelly that turned out great!

We've got mystery slogans, kitschy humor/slogans all using vintage images as well as a fabulous collage of Nancy Drew images and actual phrases from the classic Nancy Drew books spoken by Nancy and her chums--each collage has different phrases on it. I think everyone will be pleased with the way the shop has turned out!

It's located as usual at Cafe Press, and it's designed by sections--each section is by image, so click on a section and you'll see all products available with that particular image. Very user friendly, very easy to shop.

And a bonus, soon to be available only at our Sleuths website (NOT Cafe Press), in September, will be very limited quantity altered art items using vintage book covers: beaded handle Nancy Drew Handbags with vintage covers, altered art Nancy Drew charms, scrapbooking kits, and journals using vintage book covers.

Jenn:)

Monday, August 18, 2008

Nancy Drew Week at Blogs!


It's Nancy Drew week at a Blog near you! I noticed that The Stiletto Gang is having a Nancy Drew week:

http://www.thestilettogang.blogspot.com

Also, at The Thrillionth Page Blog, they're having a fun Nancy Drew week complete with fun facts, reviews, writings, commentary, interviews, and giveaways! Check them out:

http://thethrillionthpage.blogspot.com

If you're interested in joining a fun group of Nancy Drew fans with annual conventions and an ongoing discussion group, check out The Nancy Drew Sleuths:

Jenn:)

(Image above, TM/copyright 2006, Nancy Drew Sleuths!)

Old-Time Nancy Drew Book Ads

I just received my latest book ad that I purchased at eBay--it's a 1941 Montgomery Wards catalog page which features the Nancy Drew book, The Mystery at the Moss-Covered Mansion, and lists some of the other volumes available. What I enjoyed about this ad, is that it stated, "Now in the Movies." In reference of course, to the 1938 and 1939 Warner Brothers Nancy Drew movies. I found it interesting that they mentioned the movies in the ad in 1941, and wonder if they were still showing them in some theaters, perhaps as fillers before a main movie, at this time?

Jenn:)

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Nancy Drew Finds at eBay


I thought I would highlight some Nancy Drew finds I've made on eBay recently--some odds and ends. The above picture is a set of the UK Girl Detective books which have a fun cartoon-like Nancy on the cover which I always liked since at least you could see Nancy on the cover. The regular Girl Detective books until recently just featured a clip art type graphic which was rather boring. You could order these through Amazon.UK but the price got pretty steep with shipping. There was a UK seller selling a whole bundle of them along with the movie novelization and with shipping it only came to about US $55.00 and so I thought that was reasonable!


When the Nancy Drew movie was released in the UK, this wide version of the poster was used to advertise. I finally broke down and ordered one from a UK seller.


I like to do searches for Nancy Drew in odd places and in stores and came up with this book reports set that I'd seen at auction before but never bid on. It features Nancy Drew in one of the chapters.


If you like gossip this may be the collectible for you--Pamela Sue Martin reveals why she left the 1970s Nancy Drew TV Show in this issue of Toni Holt's Movie Life. Who is Toni Holt?!

I also recently purchased at eBay the 2nd printing of The Password to Larkspur Lane. It has the same dust jacket as the first printing, so I now just need to find the first printing book (listing both 1932 and 1933 on the copyright page) to go with it!

Jenn:)

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

eBay Sleuth #13: The Case of the Not So Sneaky Image Thieves

More eBay commentary on what's up for auction every once in a while to help educate collectors and--well, have snarky fun too:) So, I'll highlight a few interesting finds, crazy listings, and eBay Nancy Drew flubs and the like. Chime in, in the comments section with your thoughts or questions! Copy the item number and go to http://www.ebay.com and enter it into the search box to view the following auctions:

(Disclaimer: No offense meant to any seller or bidder/potential bidder--I'm sure you're all lovely people:)...)

Auctions:

The Case of the Uninflated Nancy Drew eBay Prices!

Has anyone else noticed, that Nancy Drew books are now selling way back to normal levels?! For awhile, they were selling at insanely high prices, and now they seem to have leveled off for once. So it's a buyer's market again it would appear for most things:)

The Case of the Not So Sneaky Image Thief:

Item Number: 230275472046 Description: ~NANCY DREW~Vintage Cover Art~ Altered Art CHARMS~

(Ended: 8-02-08 ) - Someone decided to pilfer images from my website to make unlicensed altered art charms;) Of course, I being a Nancy Drew collector would never notice this as I never check eBay;) Whatever! It really annoys me. It's such a double edged sword. I like to have a nice website with images for people to enjoy, but the drawback is that I have to put up with people like this who steal images for their own use--and one of them I took a little more time to work with graphically rather than just straight scanning of a book cover. You want some cool altered art charms? Well, we'll be selling some for the Nancy Drew Sleuths convention this year, so check back at my website and the Sleuths' website in mid-August. Also Nancy Drew handbags and journals made from vintage covers, officially licensed from S&S!

What a Way to Recycle!

Item Number: 200244555117 Description: MILEY OOAK Repaint By Pamela Inspired by Miley C. ~ 50/50 30 lay-away available!

(Ends: 08/08/08) - Wow what a use for a Tonner Nancy Drew Doll! Remade as Miley Cyrus ?! Let's hope this doll doesn't have racy photos surface on the Internet;) I think Nancy would be horrified;)

Nancy Drew Collectible Finds:

If you're looking to add collectibles to your collection, here's a few you might check out:

Item Number: 250279371733 Description: Nancy Drew 2003 Calendar. Great Condition!

(Ends: 08/12/08) - If you missed getting this calendar in '03, here's your chance. Could cut it up for use in scrapbooking too:)

Item Number: 250278023446 Description: NANCY DREW MYSERIES LUNCH BOX 1977 3-D

(Ends: 08/07/08) - A 1970s TV Show lunch box with Pamela Sue Martin as Nancy Drew!

Item Number: 260261632685 Description: Nancy Drew Adventure Deck Mummy's the Word Tangled Tale

(Ends: Store Listing, so indefinate) - They're not making this game anymore, to my knowledge, so if you never got one, here's your chance!

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew in Brenda Starr Comic Strip


Collector Joe Dixon sent me a link to Brenda Starr Comics online at www.gocomics.com/brendastarr

Nancy Drew has been a side-story in the Brenda Starr comic strip main story line for the past week or so. The books were seen in the past two Sunday strips (August 3 and July 27), and in one of the dailies in between. Not sure if there will be more in the future, so bookmark the comic link above and check back.




Jenn:)

Nancy Drew Event at Univ. of MI


The University of Michigan at Dearborn is having a reception on Sept. 12th to go along with an exhibition on children's series books including artwork that will be displayed. There will also be a nice display of Nancy Drew books and memorabilia. They contacted me about speaking at the reception. I will speak at around 5:30 to 6pm on the 12th. If you are in the area or want to attend, here is more information about it:

http://library.umd.umich.edu/news/index.php?/archives/3701-Secrets-of-Nancy-Drew-Revealed.html

Click on the flyer images in this Blog for more details. I will be speaking about Nancy Drew and the history of the series as well as talking about the illustrations over the years!



Jenn:)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Birthday Gift: Rudy Nappi Printer's Proof


What does a Nancy Drew fan get for her 35th birthday?! One item is a neat illustration collectible: a printers proof of The Clue in the Old Stagecoach cover signed by the illustrator, Rudy Nappi. This is one of the last printer proofs he had on hand. He has sold several recently at eBay.

What became of the original painting, you may wonder? Rudy donated it to The National Museum of American Illustration located in Newport, Rhode Island. So, stop in if you're ever in Newport for this viewing treat. Here's the original painting:


Check out a press release/photos about the donation and some information on Rudy Nappi:

http://www.americanillustration.org/html/press/NMAI_Press_11_8_06.html

Now if I could only add to my birthday list, Nancy Drew's fountain of youth! LOL!

Jenn:)

Sunday, July 06, 2008

First Printing: Old Clock Sells for $11,700.00

Well ladies and gents,

The auction is over now and the first printing/first edition of The Secret of the Old Clock sold for a $11,700.00!

Anyone else watch the ending of the auction?

The bidding started on June 29th when the book was listed. 4 bids were placed on June 30th. 6 bids on July 1st. And 2 on July 4th. Nothing until the final 2 minutes. It topped out at $8000.00 on July 4th. Most of us figured it would sell for at least $10,000.00 at which it as sold for before and possibly more once before in an undisclosed sale.

I figured by the time it was going for $8000.00, we'd see a cease of activity until the last few seconds before it ends when people come in and manually snipe or use sniping software. I've been involved in auctions before where I snipe and all of a sudden you're outbid or outbidding someone else doing the same. I've seen an auction before suddenly go for hundreds due to half a dozen or more last minute bidders jumping in "out of nowhere." :) So those last few seconds are where the party's at.

It was down to the last 2 minutes and finally another bid. Up to $8100.00. Then 6 seconds before the auction ended, a sniper; Geowall bid it up to $11,700.00

FYI: Geowall is a reseller, not a collector as far as I know. So either he has a buyer in mind or will be reselling it. He sells on eBay as Bookbid. Buys as Geowall. I was hoping to see it go to a Sleuth member or Nancy Drew collector, but maybe it still will.

I wonder if the fact that the auction ended on a holiday weekend was a factor, as I would have thought word would have spread through the collector community since such a scarce book was up for auction. I usually do not list items to end on a holiday weekend as I figure people are traveling and not paying attention to eBay.

Here's to hoping that more of these begin to surface for collectors in the future! Heck, a first printing of The Hidden Staircase, The Bungalow Mystery, The Mystery at Lilac Inn, and The Secret at Shadow Ranch would be super to see too!

Jenn:)

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Sleuthing at eBay #12 The Case of the Snarky Auctions

More eBay commentary on what's up for auction every once in a while to help educate collectors and--well, have snarky fun too:) So, I'll highlight a few interesting finds, crazy listings, and eBay Nancy Drew flubs and the like. Chime in, in the comments section with your thoughts or questions! Copy the item number and go to http://www.ebay.com and enter it into the search box to view the following auctions:

(Disclaimer: No offense meant to any seller or bidder/potential bidder--I'm sure you're all lovely people:)...)

So, the trend of really high prices on Nancy Drew books seems to be going down, or the stock of items is going down. Or both:) Will be interesting to see how it goes over the course of the summer!

Amusing Auctions:

Item Number: 260255358098 Description: NANCY DREW #32 The Scarlet Slipper Mystery (1954)

(Ended: 07/01/08) - Imagine how well the Nancy Drew books would have sold if the dust jacket artwork had been in black and white! Not too snazzy.

Item Number: 330246484287 Description: THE LOST FILES OF NANCY DREW DetectiveSecrets 2007 Book

(Ends:06/29/08) - I was amused by the seller stating they can't guarantee this book to be from a smoke/pet free home. Aside from the pet issue, the SMELL test always works for smoke ;) FYI, I contributed some artwork and history information for this book and my website is credited in the back of the book!

Not So Fast Seller! (Or...It's no mystery, it's just not rare!)


Item Number: 320184202654 Description: Nancy Drew Leaning Chimney Rare 1st/ dj Farah 1949-B

(Ends: Indefinite--Store Listing) - Asking Price: $185.00. (Farah's Guide Value=$112.00). Oh and by the way, it's not rare! Not even medium rare :) (Thanks Dean for the reference!)

Item Number: 250243652126 Description: Keene, Carolyn. NANCY DREW MYSTERY OF BRASS BOUND TRUNK

(Ends: Indefinite--Store Listing) - Asking Price: $199.95. This is a mid-50s printing worth 36.00 in Farah's Guide. Look at the shape it's in. Not a great dust jacket.

Item Number: 150265687411 Description: Vintage Nancy Drew HIDDEN STAIRCASE WS DJ ~ RARE Format

(Ends: 07/07/08) - Buy it now is $99.99. It's well done I'd say. I'm just sayin'.

Item Number: 140245658490 Description: Clue in the Diary NaNcy Drew Applewood 2nd N PerfecT
Gorgeous, rare, HTF Second Edition! Great Investment!

(Ends: 07/07/08) - Buy it now for $79.99. Or bid for 29.99. I'd rather invest in the first printing/first edition Old Clock up for auction at eBay, it will always have an excellent resale value!

Interesting Auction Ending Prices--Trends in Nancy Drew Collecting:

Item Number: 170232771476 Description: Nancy Drew Secret of Old Clock Blue Leather Applewood

(Ends: 07/01/08) - Ending Price: 180.68. This is one of the Applewood Books Leatherbound editions--the only one they printed in fact, and the print run was around 100 or a little over, so this is a rather rare collectible to own. There won't be anymore made like it. So, the ending price is interesting. It cost around 1/3 of that ending to purchase to begin with.

Item Number: 290240711325 Description: Nancy Drew Secret/Old Clock 75th Anniversary Ed, As New

(Ended: 06/27/08) - Ending Price: $74.99. A bit lower than the above book.

The Case of How It Ended So High?!

I'd like to take a moment to point out a few things to you all. Farah's Guide is the definitive guide to the Drew books. Often you can purchase books in it for less than the guide prices. Further, the guide's prices are for books in excellent shape. If your book has any flaws, it's worth less than the guide price. The following auctions ended far and above Farah's "excellent shape" prices, which has me and my chum Nancy a bit stymied!

Item Number: 320269208664 Description: Nancy Drew Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk 1st EDITION
RARE w/ Dust Jacket First Printing Carolyn Keene SUPERB

(Ended: 07/1/08) - Ending Price: $750. (Farah's Guide Value: $280.00) This is actually not a rare book fyi. It's scarcer than a yellow spine picture cover though :)

News From the Apple Tree:

Item Number: 250260268151 Description: Nancy Drew Applewood 1st THE HAUNTED BRIDGE Fine hcdj Very Collectible Applewood First Edition Nice!

(Ended: 06/23/08) - Ending Price: $250.29

Item Number: 350071645265 Description: AS NEW Scarce Applewood # 17 Nancy Drew 1st Edition The Mystery Of The Brass Bound Trunk - VHTF - Gorgeous!

(Ended: 06/28/08) - Ending Price: $107.52. BUT, it didn't meet reserve. (Rolls eyes...)

Item Number: 350070105692 Description: Nancy Drew Applewood Secret in the Old Attic 1st ed

(Ended: 06/19/08) - Ending Price: $104.49. Guess WHAT?! You can get this book for 16.95 at Barnes & Noble online. It's still available Shhhh, don't tell the resellers!

Item Number: 350070717300 Description: AS NEW Applewood # 9 Nancy Drew Carolyn Keene 1st Print
The Sign Of The Twisted Candles - Gorgeous, VHTF

(Ended: 06/22/08) - Ending Price: $79.99.

Item Number: 350070101800 Description: Nancy Drew Applewood Clue in the Jewel Box 1st edition

(Ended: 06/19/08) - Ending Price: $71.99. And, you can get this book for 16.95 at Barnes & Noble online. It's still available too.

Item Number: 110266441711 Description: Nancy Drew gift box set books 1-6 OOP Applewood NR 2005
75th Anniversary Gift Set Exact copies of the originals

(Ends:07/06/08) - The seller copies verbatim from my website--you can see the little R symbol by "Nancy Drew" which I use on my website, but doesn't cite my website, then copies some info from Wikipedia and cites their website. Amusing to say the least;) I will be interested to see how this set does as I have a couple of extras on hand. This was produced for the 75th anniversary and I'm not sure how many sets were made. The asking price is $200.00 and I'm not sure they'll get that much. It cost around $50 to $70 originally depending on what site you purchased it from. Depending on how little were produced, it could easily go up in value. Don't confuse this with the generic Applewood books that are selling in my opinion, far over their actual value!

Jenn:)

Sleuthing at eBay #11: The Case of the Holy Grail Old Clock




Holy Grail Old Clock Auction at eBay! Get it now or wait a long time possibly. The dust jacket is what's really rare about this book. Not many exist with the intact dust jacket! Images above are from the auction.

Item Number: 170234581748 Description: NANCY DREW-TRUE 1930 EDITION-SECRET OF THE CLOCK-DJ AN UNBELIEVABLE FIND-AN ABSOLUTE MUST TREASURE

(Ends: 07/06/08) - This is as good as it gets! It's a bonafied first printing/first edition! The dust jacket is the real prize here! It should sell high. Can't wait for the ending!

I'm loving that the seller wouldn't end the listing for a paltry 3000 offer! This book should sell for around 10,000 if not more. Can't wait to see what it goes for! I've always wondered why a first of Hidden Staircase doesn't sell as high, it was released at the same time. Same goes for Bungalow Mystery. Maybe it's the idea that Old Clock is book #1 so that adds to it. More on my first of Staircase below...

I think there are a lot more copies out there, we just don't know about them. Not everything sells on eBay, and there are lots of private sales/auctions/estate sales going on in which these books change hands. There are a lot of collectors or lovers of Nancy Drew who may not be diehards that may not even know the collecting community exists like it does to even begin to come forth and say what they have. They may not even know what they have. Lots of variables.

Among the collector community, there are several people who have first printings with the dust jacket. One came up for auction a few years ago but it was never verified and the seller disappeared with it--some nut job. There was one sold to a woman in CA. And the one that sold a couple of years ago by a Sleuth member who sold it off of eBay and wouldn't tell anyone what it sold for but we're assuming 10 thousand or more. I know there are probably more, for some reason people don't like to discuss they have firsts;) That's the impression I get! It's not like owning a first printing Nancy Drew is like owning a Monet or a Picasso worth millions or something related to national security after all:) LOL!

I think quite a few people have firsts without the dust jacket as those blank endpaper books sans dust jackets are fairly readily available.

One reason I suspect the dust jackets aren't found on a lot of these 1933 and before books, is that on the dust jacket's reverse side was a huge listing of books to collect. The back of the book said don't throw away the wrapper and pointed kids to the titles there. I think some kids probably took of the dust jackets and used them as a list of what books to read and collect. See my site on this:

http://www.nancydrewsleuth.com/dj.html


I purchased the first printing on eBay--no dust jacket--around 1998, can't recall off hand. I paid around 280 for it. I got a copy of an actual first printing dust jacket which I have on the book. So that's a nice touch. And in 2002 when I met Millie Benson in Toledo for the Sleuths' first annual convention, she signed the book for me. So I really like having a first printing signed by the ghostwriter. I wish I had a real dust jacket! The picture above was taken in 2005, my Old Clock is the book on the far left of the shelf, Hidden Staircase next to it. I have a lot more white and wrap spines in my collection now!

I was e-mailed in around '03 or '04 by someone in NYC who had a Hidden Staircase he thought was a first, it was. I asked him what he wanted for it. He'd seen my website and that I was looking for firsts. He said 500.00 So I purchased it. That was one of my dream ND purchases. It's worth quite a bit more. And it's in pretty good shape too!

The next first I have is Ivory Charm. Those between 1 and 13 are so hard to find and so spendy, that I haven't been able to afford them. I'd love to just stumble upon them at a sale like some of these sellers seem to! Maybe one day:)

Jenn:)

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Nancy Drew Gamers News


Nancy Drew is booming in the gaming business! Coming out in July are 2 games: Her Interactive's The Phantom of Venice (shown above) and Majesco's Nintendo DS: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society (shown below). The Phantom of Venice will figure in to next year's Nancy Drew Sleuth convention in Las Vegas!



A screen capture from The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society:


Not by Majesco, but THQ games, is another Nancy Drew Nintendo DS, The Hidden Staircase--based on the classic Nancy Drew book! Love the spooky house in the background! This game will debut in October.


It is exciting to see more products coming out about our favorite detective chum! Look for similar products for The Hardy Boys to start coming out as well!

Jenn:)

Thursday, June 19, 2008

New Nancy Drew Collectible Found


I was sleuthing eBay recently and came across a listing for a boxed set of four books--flashlight editions of the first four books. The listing didn't show any photos except for the book spines showing. Apparently the boxed set came with a flashlight, so I was intrigued and purchased the set. Shown in this blog entry are the sides and top of the box. It's rather neat with the silhouette and the text about reading the books with a flashlight. Alas, the flashlight was not in the set anymore, so I'll have to search for another set that is complete some day.



The set was put out in 1998 and I was into collecting at that time, so I wondered how I missed it when I noticed on the back of the box that it states that it was exclusive to DS-MAX. Never heard of DS-MAX. So I Googled that term and turns out it's apparently some kind of "sales cult." Or so the websites rallying against it claim. Not sure if it's still in operation or not:) The Mystery of the Nancy Drew "Sales Cult" Books...Anyone else have this set with or without the flashlight?

Jenn:)



Sleuthing at eBay for Nancy Drew #10

More eBay commentary on what's up for auction every once in a while to help educate collectors and--well, have snarky fun too:) So, I'll highlight a few interesting finds, crazy listings, and eBay Nancy Drew flubs and the like. Chime in, in the comments section with your thoughts or questions! Click on the item numbers below to view the auctions!

(Disclaimer: No offense meant to any seller or bidder/potential bidder--I'm sure you're all lovely people:)...)

Auctions:

Some of you may have been noticing prices on eBay lately for Nancy Drew books--especially those in dust jacket and early ones, going almost through the roof way over what one would normally pay! I highlighted some of these auctions in my last "Sleuthing at eBay" column, but they are continuing to this day. One only needs to search eBay for "Nancy Drew" and select a search under "highest price" to see what I'm referring to. Click
here!


It's No Mystery, It's Just Not Rare...

Item Number: 230261163646 Description: Nancy Drew Lilac Inn w/ RARE Wrap DJ!

(Ends:6/21/08) - This is the wrap 3rd art for Lilac Inn, sorry not rare! It is somewhat scarce in a sense, but too many of these come up for sale to be rare or highly scarce! In fact if you check the auctions, there are quite a few of these RARE books listed right now! You know, because they're rare, so they often show up in packs of 5 or 10 ;)

Item Number: 310060312533 Description: NANCY DREW BOOK THE CLUE OF THE BLACK KEYS DJ HB RARE

(Ends:6/21/08) - A run of the mill Black Keys in dust jacket is most definitely not rare!

Item Number: 280236656927 Description: NANCY DREW "THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM" #6 RARE 1961

(Ends:6/21/08) - A RARE Yellow Spine picture cover printing--NOT!

Item Number: 150259585130 Description: NANCY DREW - The Secret at Shadow Ranch #5 RARE 1931 Ed
RARE FORMAT #1 - BLANK END PAGES! Farah's Guide=$250

(Ends:6/22/08) - Not rare, scarce, but not rare, don't kid yourselves, this one will come up again for auction!

APPLEWOOD INSANITY:

Item Number: 350070727088 Description: Rare ODDITY Applewood #11 Nancy Drew 1st Edition
Broken Locket - Printed w/ Wrong Upside Down Title

(Ends:6/22/08) - OH BOY! Another RARE Applewood edition. Woohoo! So, it's a printing oddity on top of being an Applewood. Is that considered a double whammy rare edition?!? Selling at a current bid of 149.99. Who knows how high it will go...but it's not worth that and not for being a printing oddity either! People, these will come up for sale quite often :)

Item Number: 350070717300 Description: AS NEW Applewood # 9 Nancy Drew Carolyn Keene 1st Print
The Sign Of The Twisted Candles - Gorgeous, VHTF

(Ends:6/22/08) - Another high over priced Applewood: current bid: 79.99. Should be around 24.00 or less.

The Case of the Funny Listing:


Item Number: 330245028567 Description: Lot of 7 Newer Glossy Yellow Nancy Drew Mysteries WOW

(Ends:6/23/08) - I don't know about you, but there's nothing WOW about a set of glossy flashlight pcs ;)

Jenn:)

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Sleuthing at eBay for Nancy Drew #9

More eBay commentary on what's up for auction every once in a while to help educate collectors and--well, have snarky fun too:) So, I'll highlight a few interesting finds, crazy listings, and eBay Nancy Drew flubs and the like. Chime in, in the comments section with your thoughts or questions! Copy the item number and go to http://www.ebay.com and enter it into the search box to view the following auctions:

(Disclaimer: No offense meant to any seller or bidder/potential bidder--I'm sure you're all lovely people:)...)

Not So Fast Seller!

Item Number: 280232907219 Description: Nancy Drew Applewood #1-21 – ALL Near Mint GIFT QUALITY

(Ends: 6/9/08) - 999.00 for all 21. Steep is an understatment. And 6 of these aren't even first printings! I'd say 300 to 500 is a good range, and that's pushing it. Don't feel you have to break the bank, you can collect these for less. And Applewood is going to start reprinting some of their titles again, so lets not all have a little freak out moment of I have to rush out and get all these "rare/scarce" (not!) reproductions all at once;)

Item Number: 120266239544 Description: Nancy Drew Classical Book Collection

(Ends: 6/5/08) - Ok, well, this is something you don't see every day:) Someone's been eating cocoa puffs I tell ya! So, 17 yellow spines including a flashlight edition for a starting bid of 7500.00 with a buy it now of 11988.77. If this sells, I'm offering the high bidder my collection for 10 million;) HAHAHA Ok, I'd never sell:) This set is worth about 60.00 give or take. Or 11988.77 depending on what planet you live on...

Bidding Wars:

The following auctions are classic examples of how 2-3 or 4 bidders can bid up the price of a book beyond what most collectors would pay for the book. This often leads to other sellers thinking that this is what these books are worth and also newbie bidders who think that this is normal. Typically these bidders are newbies. Those of us who have been around long enough, know that unless it's rare (and there aren't too many rare things), it will be up for auction again--and soon--and probably already has some similar competition up for auction. Newbies, learn from the following:

Item Number: 230256877991 Description: Judy Bolton 7 Clues FINE EARLY GLOSSY / FINE WS DJ

(Ends: 6/7/08) - Ok, so I normally just review Nancy Drew auctions, but there are several of these Judy Bolton books going for WAY TOO MUCH, some kind of bidding war: bidders who are also bidding on Nancy Drew stuff and driving up the prices waaaaaaaay high. High bid right now, 255.51 and counting. Oh boy...

Item Number: 330240580082 Description: Nancy Drew Broken Locket OEP / GORGEOUS WS DJ

(Ends: 6/9/08) - Bids on this common 35th printing Broken Locket, at 247.50 right now. Farah's in minty condition is 126.00. See Judy Bolton above...Two bidders 2**2 and g**m keep bidding each other up on auctions with a few other bidders thrown in for good measure. Too bad I don't have some Nancys for sale with dust jackets!

Item Number: 230257959922 Description: Nancy Drew Twisted Candles OEP / GORGEOUS WS DJ

(Ends: 6/10/08) - See Broken Locket description above. Same mess, different book. Farah's Value for minty: 56.00. Current bid: 224.72.

Item Number: 180249312877 Description: NANCY DREW #5 Shadow Ranch WS DJ F6 Orange Silhouette

(Ends: 6/8/08) - Ok same mess again. Here we have 9**9 and g**m going at it. Current bid: $192.49 for a much later printing of Shadow Ranch. Farah's value for minty: 56.00.

It's No Mystery, It's Just Not Rare...

Item Number: 350065256160 Description: H/B P/C RARE NANCY DREW # 56" THE THIRTEENTH PEARL"VG/F

(Ends: 6/5/08) - It's not rare. Sorry:(

Bidding Mania or The Secret of the Surprising Ending Bid:

Item Number: 130223774147 Description: Nancy Drew Old Clock 1930 True 1st w/ Exact Repro DJ!

(Ended: 5/25/08) - I was surprised to see this go as high as it did since it had a repro dj! 570.00! Once again g**m and someone else in a bidding war: r**i.

Item Number: 280230978964 Description: Nancy Drew w/dj- BUNGALOW MYSTERY-Blank eps-1931B5 HTF

(Ended: 6/3/08) - Once again a bidding war: g**m and 9**9. I was surprised this went so high! It's a 5th printing. It is a blank endpaper format 1, but not rare, just scarce with the dust jacket. These have been selling so low for awhile, I was surprised to see it go so high but then checked the bidding history and saw why.

Item Number: 230255716572 Description: Nancy Drew Red Gate Farm OEP Solid Blue / WS Tandy DJ

(Ended: 6/3/08) - A 39th printing sold for 280.50. Wow. Farah's Guide value for a book in minty condition is only 56.00.

Item Number: 270238717476 Description: Nancy Drew Clue in the Jewel Box DJ white spine 1st?

(Ended: 5/25/08) - This book ended at 228.40. If it was a first printing, that Farah's value is 200.00 for minty.

Jenn:)

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Nancy Drew Sleuths' Witch Tree Adventure: Convention Details


If you're pining to go to a Nancy Drew convention, here's your chance! Once again, as they do each year, The Nancy Drew Sleuths fan group is having their annual convention Sept. 30-Oct. 5, 2008 in Bird-in-Hand, PA--right near Lancaster. For a Witch Tree Symbol adventure. Registration deadline is June 15, right around the corner. Details and how to register can be found at our website:

http://www.ndsleuths.com

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew Audio Cassettes Format



I recently won an audio cassette set of The Secret of the Old Clock at eBay. My audios that I bought in the early 2000's, when these came out were different. They were in yellow packaging and the tapes inside in black packaging--like The Clue in the Diary shown above. This was a big thick white case with the cassettes inside, and the info on the outside. It appears to be how this was sold, I have just never seen this format before. Has the original retail price of $18.00 on the back and other info.

Anyone else purchase their cassettes in this white case format? And if so, which books came like this that you have found?

Jenn:)

Friday, May 23, 2008

Sleuthing at eBay for Nancy Drew #8

More eBay commentary on what's up for auction every once in a while to help educate collectors and--well, have snarky fun too:) So, I'll highlight a few interesting finds, crazy listings, and eBay Nancy Drew flubs and the like. Chime in, in the comments section with your thoughts or questions! Copy the item number and go to http://www.ebay.com and enter it into the search box to view the following auctions:

(Disclaimer: No offense meant to any seller or bidder/potential bidder--I'm sure you're all lovely people:)...)

Auctions:

Sorry, It's no Mystery, It's Just Not Rare...

Item Number: 380030651804 Description: NANCY DREW HAUNTED SHOWBOAT #35 1957 W/DJ 1958A-1// VERY RARE 1ST EDITION BLUE TWEED GRAVEDIGGER NO WRITING

(Ends: 05/03/08) - Not rare. The endpapers are not of a "gravedigger." They're called Digger endpapers and the scene of the digger is from Twisted Candles where the villain was burying items he was stealing from an inn, Nancy peering out from the tree is from Red Gate Farm. No graves being dug. Would spice it up a little more, though wouldn't it!?

Item Number: 230254294663 Description: NANCY DREW Nancy's Mysterious Letter BLANK BACK RARE!

(Ends: 05/26/08) - Sorry, not rare!

Surprising Ending Price:

Item Number: 120257617481 Description: 1932A-1 NANCY DREW MYSTERY 7 Clue in the Diary FIRST!

(Ended: 5/10/08) - This first printing of Diary is very scarce--only printing with the format 1--very scarce indeed! I've seen this book sell for upwards of 5000.00 before at eBay. Prices are really down, it went for only $1650.88. Considering (see below) that a white private eye diary sold for $1400.00 recently, this figure for a 1932 first printing/first edition of Diary is rather sad.

Item Number: 200223996055 Description: Nancy Drew Private Eye Diary RARE WHITE! with KEY!!!

(Ended: 5/20/08) - Wow, I'm almost at a loss for words:) So the auction started out with a buy it now option of 1500.00. An offer for 1400.00 was accepted. I think that's extreme. I've seen this sell for upwards of 500.00 on a good day. I purchased my Harriet Adams signed edition for around 250.00 several years ago. The greatest thing about this auction is that it had the key--that's rather uncommon, usually the diaries come up missing the key. I've seen half a dozen to a dozen of these sell at eBay in the last 10 years--and that's just auctions I caught. I let the seller know that this wasn't as rare as he claimed it to be, but they didn't revise their info describing it as a once in a lifetime collectible or "rare." It's not rare, it's semi scarce at best.

Bidding Mania:

Item Number: 230250937421 Description: Nancy Drew Ski Jump Vintage DIGGER Tweed / DJ

(Ended: 5/18/08) - This one is a good example of 2 bidders bidding something up way past its value--or at least paying a lot more than they have to. eBay is a buyer's market right now, you can get stuff for good deals! There were 3 bidders--1 of whom bid once. The other 2 bid more, and 1 of the bidders bid the most, really running up the price. People get a clue--bid at the last minute and you'll save a few bucks:) I learned that the hard way when I first started out. The price for a 13th common printing of Ski Jump: $92.99.

A check of recently ended auctions for other Ski Jump books reveals a more reasonable selling price of between $29.00-$31.00 and even one selling at $12.25. See, no need to go hog wild, there's plenty of them out there! Just tell yourself, another will surface again and you won't feel like you have to snap everything up no matter the price.

Jenn:)

Friday, May 09, 2008

Sleuthing at eBay for Nancy Drew #7

More eBay commentary on what's up for auction every once in a while to help educate collectors and--well, have snarky fun too:) So, I'll highlight a few interesting finds, crazy listings, and eBay Nancy Drew flubs and the like. Chime in, in the comments section with your thoughts or questions! Copy the item number and go to http://www.ebay.com and enter it into the search box to view the following auctions:

(Disclaimer: No offense meant to any seller or bidder/potential bidder--I'm sure you're all lovely people:)...)

GREAT FINDS & FUN THINGS:

Item Number: 270234445796 Description: Nancy Drew.....Reporter - original Lobby card 1939

(Ends: 5/10 '08) - This is a great lobby card and I know the seller well--bid with confidence! These old lobby cards are worth quite a bit and I would expect the auction price to go up a little more at the end on this one.

Item Number: 130221252630 Description: Nancy Drew Old Clock 1930 True 1st w/ Exact Repro DJ!

(Ends: 5/15 '08) - This is a great find, a first of Old Clock even though it does have a reproduction dust jacket. The dust jacket doesn't add a lot of value to the book when it's a repro, however, there are not many reproduction dust jackets of the actual first printing dust jacket, so this would add some value to this auction. I would expect the final price to be in the $500 to $600 range given the way prices are going at eBay these days.

Item Number: 320249501885 Description: Nancy Drew Emma Roberts Denim & Picture Tote Bag Purse

(Ends: 5/14 '08) - This is cute! I have one of these and it's nicely made! A recommended fun buy!

INSANITY!

Item Number: 280224510788 Description: Nancy Drew Applewood 1st edition The Haunted Bridge+1

(Ends: 5/12 '08) - Another set of reproduction Applewood Nancy Drews--2 books--going for over $50.00 and then some. It never ceases to amaze me. I don't think the reproductions are worth this much. You can find vintage copies of these titles and pay the same or even less now that eBay seems to be a buyer's market the last few years! Get a clue people:)

Item Number: 370049509494 Description: Nancy Drew #49 Mirror Bay 1st Ed PC RARE Yellow Overlay

(Ends: 5/13 '08) - The seller states that this book is in "excellent condition" and then states quite a few flaws that would not make this book excellent condition--more like good to good plus.

Item Number: 230250372947 Description: APPLEWOOD SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK Nancy Drew Keene OOP

(Ends: 5/11 '08) - Wow! Amazing! Or as George Fayne would say, Hypers! A seller actually selling Applewoods for about what they're worth--the original sales prices! Imagine that ;) Snap these up collectors before those resellers do!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOT SO FAST SELLER!

Item Number: 290227956049 Description: LOT OF 16 NANCY DREW CAROLYN KEENE VINTAGE RARE PLUS!!

(Ends: 5/11 '08) - None of these books are rare, more like common :)

Item Number: 270235658729 Description: NANCY DREW NANCY'S MYSTERIOUS LETTER..OEPS..WS.DJ.RARE!

(Ends: 5/14 '08) - Just begging the question here Nancy style, but would a seller who really thought this book is rare, sell it for a buy it now of $56.99?!

Item Number: 230250393573 Description: COMPLETE SET Vintage NANCY DREW BOOKS Rare Girls Gifts!

(Ends: 5/13 '08) - Yellow spine picture cover books even with older art are not rare!

Jenn:)

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Nancy Drew Collectible Finds

I have decided to start sharing some of my eBay/book hunting finds in the blog! I have a lot of items in my collection:) But I still have some loose ends to track down. One of these was the 3rd book in the promo red ink-topped pages set. Books 1-3 were issued this way in a book store promotion of some kind. I had Old Clock and Bungalow Mystery and finally have added Hidden Staircase to the collection. I have purchased all three now from eBay and luckily the seller in each listing chose to mention or highlight the red tops which helped me discover them. Otherwise you have to e-mail the seller of each auction to ask if the tops are red by chance. And that can be a chore! Book is shown above.
Also here is a sample of one of my recent ads purchased. I like how they have a side bar of images of the various series book characters. The page next to this one featured the Nancy Drew books. But there's a cute little illustration of Nancy holding a magnifying glass while looking at a letter/note. Similar in style to the blue multi-pic endpapers.

More finds to come!

Jenn:)

Sunday, May 04, 2008

1930s Vintage Advertising & Ads


Recently on eBay, an advertising sign sold for a nice sum featuring vintage Nancy Drew book art and just a few titles. A fellow collector was the winner of this neat collectible and are we not just all jealous:) haha! I'd love to see more of this advertising come on the market, hopefully more will follow.


Recently, I have been collecting vintage Nancy Drew book ads at eBay. There are quite a few sellers that purchase whole catalogs from eBay and other sources and break them down into separate pages to sell individually. As a book collector that can make me cringe, but it is to my gain that I'm able to purchase just the ad I want and not have to spend the larger amount on buying the whole catalog. I've been amassing quite a few ads from old Sears, JC Penny, Wards and the like. Even an old Milton Bradley catalog featuring the 1950s Nancy Drew boardgame.

In the interest of research, I also came across a website which has been scanning old catalogs and uploading the pages. I was able to print pretty decent copies of pages of old ads from this source to ad to my collection. Here's the link:

http://www.wishbookweb.com/

A lot of other series were advertised besides Nancy Drew including Three Investigators, Hardy Boys, Dana Girls, and Cherry Ames! The earliest example I have is from 1935 Sears and features the Nancy Drew book, The Message in the Hollow Oak.

Search eBay for neat ads like these!

Jenn:)