Book Four, Hardcover

[kambei]

Hello everyone,

I just came across a used copy of Usagi Yojimbo Book Four in hardcover. It has no dust jacket & minor shelf wear on the cover. The pages appear to be like new, with no markings or creases.

I already have a my own copy, so I'm thinking of selling this one; but I'm not really sure how much to ask for. I wonder if anyone on this forum could offer some input?

If I'm posting this in the wrong place, I apologize; but I'm new here & still getting to know my way around. I'm looking forward to talking to all of you other UY fans out there.

Thanks!

[Steve Hubbell]

Welcome to the UY Dojo forum!

The marketplace is a perfect spot to post a message about something for sale.

I have no idea how much to suggest as a decent price for the book without a dust jacket, since the dust jacket is such an important part of wanting the hardcovers to start with.

Then again, Book 4 is one of the special ones since it contains the water color painted story "Return to Adachigahara" which for a long time was unavailable anywhere else.

I think the value of the book has dropped since the 20th Anniversary Art of Usagi Yojimbo book came out with a reprinting of the Adachigahara story.

Maybe some of the other members who might be interested in it can give you an idea of what they might be willing to pay.

[go]

Is the book signed and numbered?

[kambei]

Steve,

Thanks for the quick reply, & all the info; I will definitely ask around. I wanted to put it on amazon.com, but I really had no idea what to ask for.

[kambei]

Nope, it's neither signed, nor numbered.

[Mayhem]

Library bind then? Or has the plate fallen out..?

[go]

Dear Readers,
I seem to remember this edition did have hardbacks sold without being signed and numbered.
Best wishes to all!
Go

[kambei]

It doesn't look like a library bind to me; there are no markings of any kind inside or outside the book. I'm not sure what "the plate falling out" means, so I've included some pictures. Maybe you could tell from them? I'm afraid I really don't know much about books aside from how to read them.

[Stan Sakai]

If I remember correctly, Fantagraphics had discovered an inventory of Books 4 and 5 in hardcover about 15 years ago. These did not have signature plates, that is, pieces of paper that I signed and were pasted on the front endpaper (the page with Usagi and Spot). These did have dust jackets, though. They were sold for (I think) $25.

[kambei]

Wow! I wasn't expecting a reply from you, Mr. Sakai. Thank you very much for the info! If you have a moment, could you please shed some light on one other question of mine? Thank you again for your time, & all of the great stories.

[Steve Hubbell]

It doesn't look like a library bind to me; there are no markings of any kind inside or outside the book. I'm not sure what "the plate falling out" means, so I've included some pictures.

Here is a picture of one of the "signature plate" Mayhem was referring to....



They are attached to the book with glue and could maybe possibly come loose. More likely, as Go and Stan have mentioned, it could be one of the surplus copies which Fantagraphics found.

If I remember correctly, Book 4 was the first hardcover edition to be released, prior to Fantagraphics going back and releasing similar editions for Books 1 - 3.

[Stan Sakai]

If I remember correctly, Book 4 was the first hardcover edition to be released, prior to Fantagraphics going back and releasing similar editions for Books 1 - 3.

Yes, Book 4 was the first of the hardcovers, and had the biggest print run. Editor Kim had estimated that the initial orders would not exceed 500, so I offered to do a full figure drawing on each of the signature plates. The orders came in for 1,500. It took me a full 3 weeks to do those drawings. Nowadays I just draw an Usagi head sketch.