Found at a used bookstore today - in fair to good condition with a dj and the shop wants $150 usd. It seems like a good deal going by abebooks - but as some on here have pointed out, that's not necessarily the best indicator. Would you drop the $$ and pick it up?

If in good condition, with dust jacket, absolutely. If it is badly beaten (missing pages, tears, loose binding, etc.), it might not be as great a deal, but if it is in tact and just a bit worn, it is not bad at all. If the dust jacket is complete and in decent shape, that alone is of value. In fact, I've got a copy missing a jacket and would probably pay that much to add one to it. Nice find!

It is, as Elwë says, all about condition. People are paying $150 (easily) on eBay for any decent (i.e. VG/VG or better) copies from the late 50's up to, and including, the 3rd edition (1st imp.). The earlier that date, the higher that price goes. Some people are paying these kind of figures for jacketless 1950's copies too --especially if they're close to that 1rst impression of the 2nd edition (i.e. the 1951, 5th impression).

As for this copy, it really does just depend on how trashed the book is, and how good that jacket looks. If you mean bookseller "fair" --then that isn't that good. But it depends whether you like the look of it. 1954 is pretty early. I think people would be pretty comfortably bidding up to $150 on eBay if the jacket looked presentable, and the book wasn't physically falling apart.

It's probably less a case of "is this price fair?" (it sounds pretty fair) --but whether you'll be happy with this on your shelf. You can always trade up later....

BH

Thanks for the constructive input. I think I'll add it to the collection.