This collecting thing is getting a little bit ridiculous

Sally Owen, the former manager of the Mysterious Bookshop who now operates her own bookselling business, releases a monthly newsletter rounding up the major crime fiction releases of a given period. In her latest issue, she spends some time on how one can look for a true first edition of Jasper Fforde’s new novel, SOMETHING ROTTEN. Fforde is a playful sort, and this carries over into the books, but he makes collector’s lives a delight (or a living hell, depending how dedicated you are) by adding all sorts of permutations and combinations to the process. There are postcards, different signature patterns, and more. Owen helpfully determines which edition is pricier than the rest:

“JASPER” with a black and white postcard

“Jasper” with a black and white postcard

“JASPER” with a four-color postcard

“Jasper” with a four-color postcard

Black and white postcard with no signature (you can always catch him next time he tours)

Four color postcard with no signature (ditto)

“JASPER” with no postcard

“Jasper” with no postcard

Jesus. Makes me almost glad I don’t get most of my books signed anymore…