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:)