• Home
• Search
• Browse
  • Title
  • Author
  • Soon To Be Available
• How To Order
• About
• ------------------------
• Blog (New Window)

ABOUT DAVID STRANG
I started collecting books innocently enough some 20 years ago. I read an article about books and noticed that those which are first editions tend to increase in value over time. I looked at my library and discovered that several of my hardbacks were firsts.

An early Tony Hillerman comes to mind. I started doing research and further discovered that I had about 40 books that are first editions. Several had actually increased in value. So, the collecting obsession began and the original 40 grew to nearly 3,500. In the process I learned about remainder marks (no-no), price clipped (also no-no), dust jackets (must have), limited editions (some are gorgeous), and tons of other information. 

In the process I enlisted the help of my wife, Ellie, who has endured and supported my obsession,  as well as a close friend and business partner in a video production business, Karen Lund, whose collection is equal to mine (and available also).  One book led to another and another and another.  A few years ago I realized that I couldn’t take them with me and began to sell: book fairs; e-bay; a partnership with the wonderful Changing Hands in Tempe, Arizona; and with the incomparable Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale (I think I was Barbara Peters’ first real “collector” in 1989 when the store opened). And, I was able to sell quite a few in the two years I managed Poisoned Pen Central, a downtown Phoenix branch of Poisoned Pen.  But I still have a lot left.

I bring to Dimension Books a wealth of experience… as well as 2,500 books I’d like to sell. My children and grandchildren’s secure future is at stake here, after all.

ABOUT THE BOOKS
I’m proud of the range of the collection. It’s largely modern fiction as you’ll see when you browse the inventory. But there are also some very nice kids books, some poetry, and some art books. 
Authors represented in the collection include:

• Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie, Signed)
• Isabel Allende
• Martin Amis
• Margaret Atwood (10 titles, all signed)
• Nicholson Baker
• Nevada Barr
• Ann Beattie (14 titles, including Distortions and Chilly Scenes of Winter)
• Lawrence Block (29 titles, many signed)
• James Lee Burke (11 titles, most signed)
• Jimmy Carter (3 titles, all signed)
• E. L. Doctorow
• G. M. Ford
• Jonathan Franzen (including The Corrections, signed, with errata slip)
• Elizabeth George
• Martha Grimes
• Jim Harrison
• Tony Hillerman (most signed)
• Barbara Kingsolver
• Elmore Leonard
• Cormac McCarthy
• Joyce Carol  Oates
• Ruth Rendell

Of course, the collection also includes books that did not increase in value (oh, the disappointment). They are for sale, too, at awfully low prices because they are still first editions and the authors toiled to make them real. (Many of the titles listed above are signed. Please browse the inventory for more detailed descriptions.)

ABOUT CONDITION
With rare exceptions the books in the inventory are either Very Fine/Very Fine or Fine/Fine.  I have opted not to use the “as new” grading as some booksellers do. I believe books are meant to be read and I have read as many as possible GENTLY. Also, there is no way on earth that books I have collected over these years haven’t been touched and boxed and moved; therefore I have tried to be honest in the descriptions and grading. If a book is less than fine/fine, I’ll tell you why. For instance, Cormac McCarthy’s Suttree is a book that is fine, but the jacket is only very good because of wear and some chips on the top of the jacket and spine. Still, at $1,500, it’s a good investment for a tough to find book.  We’re working on the web-site to make it really good thanks to my web gurus Terry and Joe (call me if you want a reference), but I won’t be able to add photos for a bit. In the meantime, I can send either still photos or video of any book that might interest you. In fact, periodically, you will find on the website videos of particular books or series of books that I think are worth considering.

ABOUT  DIALOG AND CONVERSATION
I will write regular e-mails to anyone who wants to be involved in a conversation about books.

And I’ll  blog, too.  I would like to talk with you about collecting, about specific books, about pricing, about the first edition world in general.  I’m interested in your experiences and I would be willing to share mine.  I have a physical bookstore address in Tempe where all the books are shelved (finally!) and, while I’m only open by appointment, I’d be glad to meet you there anytime if you live nearby or happen to be in the vicinity. Call me at 602-295-0197. There’s a great neighborhood bar on the corner where we could meet and talk about books.

A collection of more than 2,500 modern First Editions

David M. Strang has been a collector and dealer for 20 years

Visit the collection in person, call for an appointment

All major credit cards are accepted

Willing to negotiate a price and arrange for shipping of all 2,500 (plus!)