Dan Brown: worth collecting?

A few days ago a contributor to this newsgroup asked if the new illustrated
edition of "The Da Vinci Code" was worth obtaining as a possible book that
might gain in value. Thinking about this question leads me to offering some
thoughts on collecting some of Dan Brown's books in general, both from a
strictly "collecting" standpoint and the investment potential.

I should start by stating that I am a Brown fan, but only as far as two of his
books are concerned.

The illustrated edition is in my library but only as a copy to read and enjoy.
I do not know what the actual print run is, but because of the popularity of
the "Code" book and also "Angels and Demons" I imagine it was huge. So much so
that I can not believe it will ever have investment value. I do not think that
even signed copies will carry much value as there will probably be as many of
those as there will be demand. Signed copies also carry too high a degree of
probability of fraud. There is no way I would even consider purchasing a
"signed" copy on the internet as I believe too many of those will have never
felt the hand of Dan Brown. I do highly suggest purchase of the illustrated
copy of you are a Brown fan as it lends great visual entertainment.

As to collecting first editions of "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons"
I feel much more comfortable in saying these would be good choices. I was never
impressed with Brown's earlier books such as "Deception Point" but this is not
a literary criticism site, so I won't go into my reasons. "Code" and A&D,
however, have what I consider to be sound reasons for adding to collections of
hypermodern novels. They are both excellent examples of suspense writing, and
both have appealed to a wider and larger audience than all other books of its
genre in recent years. Plus, there is no indication of this interest waning. In
fact, with the release of the "Code" as a movie in 2005, I believe this
interest will grow, if that is possible. The end result will be an inability of
the supply of these first editions to meet demand for a long time to come.
In the past month I purchased firsts of both books in very fine condition,
unsigned. I did so for two reasons: I have not enjoyed anything as much as
reading these novels in a very long time and wanted them for my collection of
mystery/suspense books. Secondly, if I ever decide to sell them, I believe
their resale potential is far above normal. Consider, for example, "The Da
Vinci Code" compared to Grafton's "A is for Alibi." The "A" book will currently
set you back close to $1,000 in a first. Yet this book does not have anywhere
near the "quality" of interest as the "Code." I'm not downplaying Grafton; its
just that her book is left in "The Code's" dust when it comes to suspense. Part
of "A is for Alibi's" value comes from its scarcity, and it may even be harder
to find in a fine edition first than "The Code." But how many people do you
think are looking for a first of the Grafton book as compared to "The Da Vinci
Code?" An even more compelling question arises when you look at the potential
of "Angels and Demons." Again, the print run is unknown, but I would guess that
its even smaller than for "The Da Vinci Code." A quick look at editions
available on the internet shows: about none! I found four using AddAll.
It could be that there is some hoarding of both "The Code" and A&D, an action I
find probably justified. Here's where I will go out on a limb. I would suggest
that my holdings of both first editions in very fine condition will soon be
worth in excess of $1,000 if offered as a "two-book package", especially after
the movie release. There is a chance that the window of opportunity may be very
small, but I doubt it. I believe that the value of both these books to both
investors and collectors will only grow over time, with the usual peaks and
valleys occuring.
Time will tell, and of course there will be those, rightly so, who really don't
care. But for those considering whether or not to purchase first editions of
"The Da Vinci Code" or "Angels and Demons," for collecting and/or investment
purchases, my advice is to go for it. And do it quickly.
Les

BookEditions wrote:

> A few days ago a contributor to this newsgroup asked if the new illustrated
> edition of "The Da Vinci Code" was worth obtaining as a possible book that
> might gain in value. Thinking about this question leads me to offering some
> thoughts on collecting some of Dan Brown's books in general, both from a
> strictly "collecting" standpoint and the investment potential.
>
> I should start by stating that I am a Brown fan, but only as far as two of his
> books are concerned.
>
> The illustrated edition is in my library but only as a copy to read and enjoy.
> I do not know what the actual print run is, but because of the popularity of
> the "Code" book and also "Angels and Demons" I imagine it was huge. So much so
> that I can not believe it will ever have investment value. I do not think that
> even signed copies will carry much value as there will probably be as many of
> those as there will be demand. Signed copies also carry too high a degree of
> probability of fraud. There is no way I would even consider purchasing a
> "signed" copy on the internet as I believe too many of those will have never
> felt the hand of Dan Brown. I do highly suggest purchase of the illustrated
> copy of you are a Brown fan as it lends great visual entertainment.
>
> As to collecting first editions of "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons"
> I feel much more comfortable in saying these would be good choices. I was never
> impressed with Brown's earlier books such as "Deception Point" but this is not
> a literary criticism site, so I won't go into my reasons.


I certainly thought this was a literary criticism site. If it is not, then
there probably is not one at all in the newsgroups.


"Code" and A&D,
> however, have what I consider to be sound reasons for adding to collections of
> hypermodern novels. They are both excellent examples of suspense writing, and
> both have appealed to a wider and larger audience than all other books of its
> genre in recent years. Plus, there is no indication of this interest waning. In
> fact, with the release of the "Code" as a movie in 2005, I believe this
> interest will grow, if that is possible. The end result will be an inability of
> the supply of these first editions to meet demand for a long time to come.
> In the past month I purchased firsts of both books in very fine condition,
> unsigned. I did so for two reasons: I have not enjoyed anything as much as
> reading these novels in a very long time and wanted them for my collection of
> mystery/suspense books. Secondly, if I ever decide to sell them, I believe
> their resale potential is far above normal. Consider, for example, "The Da
> Vinci Code" compared to Grafton's "A is for Alibi." The "A" book will currently
> set you back close to $1,000 in a first.


I just checked this out on addall.com and was flabberghasted to find you are
correct.


Yet this book does not have anywhere
> near the "quality" of interest as the "Code." I'm not downplaying Grafton; its
> just that her book is left in "The Code's" dust when it comes to suspense. Part
> of "A is for Alibi's" value comes from its scarcity, and it may even be harder
> to find in a fine edition first than "The Code." But how many people do you
> think are looking for a first of the Grafton book as compared to "The Da Vinci
> Code?" An even more compelling question arises when you look at the potential
> of "Angels and Demons." Again, the print run is unknown, but I would guess that
> its even smaller than for "The Da Vinci Code." A quick look at editions
> available on the internet shows: about none! I found four using AddAll.
> It could be that there is some hoarding of both "The Code" and A&D, an action I
> find probably justified. Here's where I will go out on a limb. I would suggest
> that my holdings of both first editions in very fine condition will soon be
> worth in excess of $1,000 if offered as a "two-book package", especially after
> the movie release. There is a chance that the window of opportunity may be very
> small, but I doubt it. I believe that the value of both these books to both
> investors and collectors will only grow over time, with the usual peaks and
> valleys occuring.
> Time will tell, and of course there will be those, rightly so, who really don't
> care. But for those considering whether or not to purchase first editions of
> "The Da Vinci Code" or "Angels and Demons," for collecting and/or investment
> purchases, my advice is to go for it. And do it quickly.
> Les

Maybe you are right. But "Code" is still not a well written book.


Francis A. Miniter