There are a lot of book collectors who invest time in garage sales, estate sales, etc. to find something else for their own personal library. Everyone (yes, everyone) really thinks they will find a signed first edition in the 50 cent bin. Not likely, but this book is small enough for pocket or purse to check quickly a book that just may come close to the prize you are after. Well, worth the investment.
If you really want to make sure it is a first edition hard cover:
Anyone seriously, or casually, collecting books should have a copy of the Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions by Bill McBride with them whenever they are on a book hunt. This little book has more information, organized by publisher, about first editions than any other book I have used. Whenever someone asks me questions about editions, print runs, or how to identify a BCE (Book Club Edition) after answering I recommend the consider purchasing this guide. I have had every edition since... more info
A Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions:
I think Books and a Mission are in the shipping business instead of the book business. $3.49 charge to ship a 3"X 5" 1/4" thick pamphlet?
And this is an expert?:
I keep running into Booksellers, Book Collectors saying "But McBride's Books Say". Please take all and any information with a grain of salt, when some of the information are just what others are saying. There are mistakes with all EXPERTS, remember the Earth is round not flat. Do research of your own, most(99.5%) of the correct information is available for free, the rest is theory. Keep that in mind.
