Thread Summary
The forum discussion revolves around a comparison of different variations of a book from the 1980s, particularly focusing on the 1982 editions and the Japanese editions from 1983. Burnstyle provides detailed information and images of known variations, including the 1982 Paperback, 1982 Hardback, 1983 Japanese Black cover, and 1983 Japanese Young Adult Variant cover. Maltedfalcon disputes the existence of a 1982 hardback edition, arguing that modifying a paperback does not constitute a separate edition. Erpobdelliforme suggests that any hardback copies may have been special limited editions created by the author. The debate includes disagreements about the existence of the 1982 hardback edition and the significance of ISBNs in determining different editions. Users discuss the authenticity and value of a rare hardback edition of the book, with some arguing that modifying a paperback to appear as a hardback does not increase its value to collectors. The discussion also touches on the importance of verifying claims and being cautious as a collector. Additionally, the forum thread discusses a book signed by Byron Preiss and the confusion around its format, with differing opinions on its rarity and value. Users express appreciation for transparency and effort in sharing information but disagree on the importance of using correct terms when discussing book formats. The conversation also delves into a special edition of the book related to a treasure hunt, with users speculating about the purpose of the special hardback copies and their connection to the treasure hunt. Overall, users share theories and information related to the book, its special editions, and the treasure hunt, with some disagreements and uncertainties about the details.
burnstyle
I did a quick comparison of the four known variations of the 1980's printing of the book.
The 1982 Paperback
The 1982 Hardback
The 1983 Japanese Black cover
The 1983 Japanese Young Adult Variant cover.
https://12treasures.com/book-variants/
I included as much information as I could. But info on the hardback and Japanese editions has been hard to come by.
All four have images that are equal in quality, the Japanese images seem richer because they are printed with a slightly higher DPI but are smaller in size.
The 1982 Hardback seems to be a rebinding of the paperback... most likely for library collections.
Values came from recent sales.
I'm going to add the paperback and hardback reprints as well as the kindle version when I can bring myself to buy them.
I realize in the past I have told people that there was no 1982 hardback. It seems I was wrong. I'm sorry for misleading people.
maltedfalcon
Bogus info
there is no 1982 hardback edition.
I am not saying that somebody did not modify a 1982 paperback to make a hardback but that is not the same as their being a hardback edition...
An ISBN refers to a specific edition which means that a paperback and a hardcover of the same title will have different ISBNs. A textbook will have a separate ISBN for each edition. If a book is reprinted by its same publisher, without any changes or revisions, it will keep the same ISBN.
burnstyle
maltedfalcon wrote::
Bogus info
there is no 1982 hardback edition.
I am not saying that somebody did not modify a 1982 paperback to make a hardback but that is not the same as their being a hardback edition...
An ISBN refers to a specific edition which means that a paperback and a hardcover of the same title will have different ISBNs. A textbook will have a separate ISBN for each edition. If a book is reprinted by its same publisher, without any changes or revisions, it will keep the same ISBN.
.... It's like you want to be right so bad that you don't even read the post.
Erpobdelliforme
Unknown:
I am not saying that somebody did not modify a 1982 paperback to make a hardback...
That's exactly what George is saying though. Most likely, that somebody was Preiss himself, probably to use as special, limited edition gifts. I just can't see anyone else going to the trouble and expense.
burnstyle
You also have to take into account that all known copies are exactly the same. Two of them even have glue marks in the same places.
They were not one offs.
BINGO
burnstyle wrote::
I'm going to add the paperback and hardback reprints as well as the kindle version when I can bring myself to buy them.
I have a new version hardcover that I will donate to your project.
People like to complain about the image quality. I agree, it is far worse than the original print of the book. However, all of the important image matches in Cleveland and Chicago are clearly represented in the reprint. It’s very possible that the important parts of the images for the remaining puzzles are clear as well. Time will tell, hopefully...
maltedfalcon
burnstyle wrote::
I realize in the past I have told people that there was no 1982 hardback. It seems I was wrong. I'm sorry for misleading people.
I read this, it is wrong.
and in fact there was no 1982 hardback.
Since this is a thread about print variations published by Byron Priess Publications and there was only 1 ISBN Issued in 1982 for the secret there simply was not a print variation or a hardback regardless of what people did with it after the fact.
Why should I care? The price of the original book has gone nuts.
Stating that there is a rarity out there (a hardback 1982 edition) would make that rarity worth even more.
Innocent purchasers could really get ripped off.
When in reality if someone modified a 1982 paperback to be hardback,
it is still a paperback book that someone has modified. - Technically to any collector making it worth much less.
There was no 1982 hardback, and there is no way of telling if the modified paperbacks were modified in 1982, 1983 or last year.... or worse, it's a modified version of the reprint....
Its almost like you want to purposely post incorrect data on a website designed to provide information for collectors...
maltedfalcon
Erpobdelliforme wrote::
That's exactly what George is saying though. Most likely, that somebody was Preiss himself, probably to use as special, limited edition gifts. I just can't see anyone else going to the trouble and expense.
There is absolutely no proof Preiss did this.
Libraries used to do this all the time to protect paperback books and tradepaperbacks that are expected to have a high checkout rate
now days they use a laminate and spine re-enforcement kit that just sticks on.
There have been companies that do it for ages. Here is one in Virgina that opened in 1975...
https://longs-roullet.com/paperback.htm
Erpobdelliforme
Unknown:
There is absolutely no proof Preiss did this.
I didn't say he did. Just that he was the most likely person to have gone to the trouble and expense IMO. It's worth noting that an autographed copy of the book was part of the prize package, even though to the best of my knowledge, neither the Chicago boys, nor Andy or Brian ever received theirs*. A signed, hardbound copy with a dust jacket seems like a nicer gift that a basic paperback, especially for people who presumably already had the latter. And as you pointed out Matt, it would not have been a big deal for BP to have had it done professionally.
*This link is for Chicago:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7357
And this link is for Cleveland:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1126&start=45
Erpobdelliforme
Unknown:
It's worth noting that an autographed copy of the book was part of the prize package
Quoting myself since I don't edit posts. Below is the relevant text from Page 219 of the original book. The emphasis is mine.
"If you find a treasure casque: You may notify us by mail. The form should be completed and returned to us with the key that is contained inside the casque. You will receive the treasure jewels,
a special autographed copy of The Secret,
and your photo and story will appear in the next edition of The Secret."
Draw your own conclusions, and as always, caveat emptor.
maltedfalcon
Erpobdelliforme wrote::
Quoting myself since I don't edit posts. Below is the relevant text from Page 219 of the original book. The emphasis is mine.
"If you find a treasure casque: You may notify us by mail. The form should be completed and returned to us with the key that is contained inside the casque. You will receive the treasure jewels,
a special autographed copy of The Secret,
and your photo and story will appear in the next edition of The Secret."
Draw your own conclusions, and as always, caveat emptor.
Easy enough to check, ask the Chicago finders what special autographed copy they got.
burnstyle
Rob didnt get a book. he was sent a letter.
https://imgur.com/cGoAo2S
burnstyle
nevermind, he just said he had to send his in to be signed. Byron signed it, wrote a note, and put some stamps on it.
Waiting for pics now.
Erpobdelliforme
Unknown:
nevermind, he just said he had to send his in to be signed
Which is significantly different from what is promised in the book. And the letter Preiss sent to Rob. For those who couldn't or didn't click on the link (
https://imgur.com/cGoAo2S
), the text of the letter is copied below.
Aug. 15, 1983
Dear Rob-
Here's a little gem for you! Congratulations! I'll be sending books both to you, Greg and (
Dave
) under separate cover.
Please send me a note confirming receipt of the emerald and certification.
Also let me know if any(
more
) news (
for this
) appear.
With much congratulations and appreciation for your efforts.
Warmly,
Byron Preiss and the Fair People
P.S. Thanks Greg!
Some of the handwriting is hard to read, so I've made my best guess in a few places (italics), but the gist of the letter is clear. He was sending books to them, not the other way around.
GoldenMartyr
Are we sure that the hard bound books were not created with the sole purpose of enraging Malted Falcon? Anything is possible.
maltedfalcon
GoldenMartyr wrote::
Are we sure that the hard bound books were not created with the sole purpose of enraging Malted Falcon? Anything is possible.
oh, I'm not enraged....
You don't want to see me when I am enraged....
LOL....
Actually Rennovator's suggestion that they are the special books BP was going to give away makes sense to me.
But that still doesn't make it a hardback, it makes it a paperback that has been modified.
Erpobdelliforme
Unknown:
But that still doesn't make it a hardback, it makes it a paperback that has been modified.
Fine. We can call them paperbacks with hard covers, or modified paperbacks if you prefer. The point is that these books exist, and are apparently very rare. This alone would probably make them valuable. And if it turns out that Preiss authorized the modifications (which again, seems most likely to me), then I would assume this would increase their value to collectors significantly. Either way, more information, properly vetted, is better than less. We should thank George for his efforts and transparency. Not accuse him of malfeasance because he didn't use the proper terminology.
Thanks George. Keep up the good work.
GoldenMartyr
maltedfalcon wrote::
oh, I'm not enraged....
You don't want to see me when I am enraged....
LOL....
Haha, nice.
JamesV
Just popping in to add a few photos of my own "ultra-limited-edition hardbound paperback" copy that I've previously mentioned to both MaltedFalcon and Burnstyle. There's no doubt in my mind that this book, be it original or modified, must have been personally blessed by both Byron Preiss and Josh Gates before I bought it off Amazon in 2017.
maltedfalcon
Some people obviously think I care way too much about this book being called a hardback.
I just think if you are going to make a big deal about "Printing Variations" , you ought to use the correct terms.
Editions and Printings, How to Tell the Difference:
a guide for book collectors
by Michael Sauers
https://www.travelinlibrarian.info/writing/editions/
TLDR;
Read Section 3. Some words about hardcovers
Read Section 14. What about "galleys", "proofs", "advance reader copies", and "presentation copies"?
Erpobdelliforme
Unknown:
I just think if you are going to make a big deal about "Printing Variations" , you ought to use the correct terms.
I agree. I just don't think what George is trying to do is a "big deal". I think he's just trying to get it right, just like the rest of us. All x<50 of us.
catherwood
JamesV wrote::
There's no doubt in my mind that this book, be it original or modified, must have been personally blessed by both Byron Preiss and Josh Gates before I bought it off Amazon in 2017.
I am going to regret asking this, but, why would Josh Gates have had anything to do with a special edition of this book? (Did I miss something in one of the images?)
JamesV
catherwood wrote::
(Did I miss something in one of the images?)
No, you just missed my sarcasm...
Kalessin
Don't forget aftermarket binding. Libraries routinely take paperback books and have a bookbinding service put a hardcover on. The paperback cover can be altered to fit over the hardcover as a dust jacket. My local service is
hxxp://www.acmebinding.com
, they do a lot of hardcover binding for local academic and public libraries, master's degree theses, PhD dissertations, etc.
So anyone who wants a copy of The Secret converted to hardcover can just get it done.
burnstyle
I asked JJP about these hardbacks.
He said they were a very small run about a year after the book came out.
They are likely rebound paperbacks, but Byron had them made AND sold them.
Byron sent JJP two copies directly in 83-84
Erpobdelliforme
Unknown:
He said they were a very small run about a year after the book came out.
The Chicago treasure was found about a year (about 10 months) after the book came out. I'm sticking with my WAG that they were made, in part, to give out as autographed copies to the finders of the treasures. No idea why the Chicago group did not get theirs though but I'd be willing to bet that none of them followed up when the promised books never showed up.
burnstyle
That was brought up. It's possible Byron had a contract for a second book, and after the first printing didn't sell well, and only one treasure was found, they made some hardbacks and sold them to fulfill the contract.
BrandonH
I wish JJP would allow high quality photos to be taken of the paintings he has at his house. I think it would move the hunt along for many.
burnstyle
BrandonH wrote::
I wish JJP would allow high quality photos to be taken of the paintings he has at his house. I think it would move the hunt along for many.
He does not own the rights to the paintings and cannot release images of them.
He said there were no clues lost in the printing of the book.