A book so rare it might be the only one?

Question

I purchased a new copy of Douglas Adams' "More Than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide" 14 years ago. When I got it home I found out the cover had been factory bound upside-down! It is the hard back edition with gold trimmed pages and a black tassle hanging off. I do not think it is the first edition because the numbers on the copyright page are 12 11 10 9.
I wouldn't be surprized if the author himself had a hand in an upside down copy being released to the public, that would fit his style. Douglas Adams unfortunately died a few years ago, so I have lost my chance to ask him about it. I have googled it and checked Ebay several times but have not found mention of another upside-down one. I bought a regular copy to actually read so my strange one is still in mint/new condition.

My question is:
How can I find out if it is indeed the only one like it?

Answer 1

I've found at least two references to a printing of this edition being bound upside down. So while it seems rare, it is not the only one of its kind. I know that wasn't the answer you were looking for, but I hope this leads you to finding out how many might be in print.

"The More Than Complete Hitch Hiker's Guide printings seem to have a couple flaws in them. The first printing had a significant typoon the spine label, namely the books were named "The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Universe" and "The Restraunt at the End of the Galaxy". A later edition is bound upside-down. "
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/douglas-adams-FAQ/

"I bought a a special leather bound edition of Douglas Adams' (http://www.douglasadams.com/) Hitchhikers trilogy many years ago. Upon closer examination, I realized that the book was bound upside down, and backwards. "
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/archive/index.php/t-1516.html

Answer 2

It could be the only one but I doubt it. The numbers you saw indicate that it is from the ninth printing and have nothing to do with which edition it is. Usually, a first edition will say "first edition" somewhere on the same page as those numbers. The reason I say it is unlikely that it is the only one is that it is a more common mistake than you think. I've seen it in happen in other books, most recently an edition of "Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac where one half of the book was facing one way and the other half the other way. It usually is the result of either the binding or the pages being flipped around sometime during printing. Although I can never be 100% sure, I doubt Adams had a hand in it. I've read two biographies about him, some autobiographical writings and even met him at a book signing/talk and there was no mention of that. Not that I expect that there would have been. Anyway, I hope this helps.

Answer 3

As a book dealer I can tell you it is not a rare edition. Thousands were done this way and it was done on purpose. As mentioned before this is a 9th edition so it is far down the totem pole.

Douglas Adams was only 49 when he died and he was not only a prolific writer but also generous with the signatures. An upside-down cover is worth far less than a signed first edition with original DJ however for Adams because of his generous nature with signing he ended up devaluing himself. Signed firsts are usually valued in the $60-85 range.

Answer 4

Contact the publisher.......and ask them if they had a few that slipped through in that condition. They should have note of it, but if they don't, then it's possible that yours is THE only copy that's bound in that upside down state.

Although sometimes things are more valuable when printed backwards/wrong or upside down....it depends on the whim of the collector in this case. And good luck!

Answer 5

I, too, have an upside down copy. To find out the value, try checking your town for book sellers or antiquity appraisers. There are several online that might also assist you. Try alibris and abc books.

Answer 6

Try calling the publisher.

Answer 7

write or call the publisher of the book!

Answer 8

Unless you are Mike Berro, he has a copy too.