RE: salinger values
PODESTA,Lesley (Lesley.PODESTA@deetya.gov.au)
Thu, 28 May 1998 09:23:52 +1000
Will said:
> First editions usually say first editions--does yours?
>
It's hard to say because I am at work but I'm fairly sure that
it only had one date on it. But it's an Oz first edition so surely that
makes it of minor interest only? Whatever it means, I wouldn't sell it.
I guess I'm just musing on the ethical dilemna of having stolen
something twenty years ago that is obviously more valuable than I
realised. Is it now a greater crime?
I have a terrible habit of walking off with magazines when I'm
on airplanes. On the other hand I despise people who steal books from
libraries. I have always felt guilty about stealing that Salinger book
from the beach house. I rationalised it at the time - I was bored, no
one else in the world would like this book as much as me, there were
lots of books squashed into the bookcase so no one would ever notice,
etc, etc. Even though it was over twenty years ago, I still remember,
with acute embarrassment how I furtively hid the book in my suitcase and
how gulity I felt when I put it on my bookcase. (In fact, my face is all
red even as I type this.)
Perhaps I should sell it and give the money to a nun?
Lesley