The Collectible Michael Crichton

[biomieg]

Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors and I'm slowly building a collection of trade 1st editions of his books. This is what I have so far. I would like to upgrade some of them to NF/F-condition copies some day.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwDf_XqSI/AAAAAAAAACk/ZeLQXGL-fDw/andromeda.jpg https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwEoPnJ8I/AAAAAAAAACo/1d4_y0uClI8/patients.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwFqVZBpI/AAAAAAAAACs/gxeCnhK81EI/terminal.jpg https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwGu-xM6I/AAAAAAAAACw/ZsCSSv1oQyM/train.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwHoO1bgI/AAAAAAAAAC0/QcAtiXgESyE/electronic.jpg https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwJOvn4xI/AAAAAAAAAC4/TOmPJdTrKks/s512/sphere.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwJ5TdCSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/JUQ6X4zYH5c/jurassic.jpg https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwKyfExiI/AAAAAAAAADA/syq2Nyw09hg/lostworld.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwLiIH2VI/AAAAAAAAADE/xQxAajKAdq8/airframe.jpg https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_fcdqdPh-_A8/S7mwMvQG9VI/AAAAAAAAADI/yArYmda54tk/timeline.jpg

I just realized that I didn't take pics yet of my 1sts of DISCLOSURE and TRAVELS.

The nice thing about collecting Michael Crichton is that even though he did not write a very large number of books one can also obtain various proofs/ARCs, signed/limited editions (the Franklin Library books come to mind) and of course the books that he wrote under his pseudonyms John Lange, Jeffery Hudson and Michael Douglas (with his brother Douglas).

Personally, I would like to try and complete a collection of the trade 1sts of all his pseudonyms. The John Lange paperbacks are not all that easy to find and most of them are quite expensive!

[thegreattim]

Nice collection, Michaël! I really enjoy Crichton too and have a fairly extensive collection of his first trades as well. My favorite find is a copy of the Eaters of the Dead (also my favorite book, coincidentally) that I found in near mint condition for $3 at a local rummage sale last summer. I'll have to take a picture of it (and a couple others you are missing) and add it to the list!

[Clacke]

Some really cool book covers there! Are they all from the same publishing house?

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

I've only read a couple of Crichton's novels but really liked them. And I enjoy looking at your copies of his books!
The only 'collectible' I have is a near mint copy of the 1st US paperback of THE TERMINAL MAN.

[goathunter]

Have you seen this new Barnes & Noble edition? Jurassic Park / The Lost World (Barnes & Noble Leatherbound Classics) (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Jurassic-Park-The-Lost-World/Michael-Crichton/e/9780307291844/?itm=1&USRI=jurassic+park+the+lost+world+barnes+%26+noble +leatherbound)

From the B&N page:

This volume contains the full text of both of Michael Crichton s bestselling novels. Featuring a beautifully stamped bonded leather cover, gilt edging, colorful endpapers, and a satin-ribbon bookmark, this collectible edition is a fine addition to any home library.

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/94410000/94412648.JPG

Pretty nice for only $20!

Hunter

[ELazansky]

B&N has a lot of those "collectible" books, and this is one of the nicer ones. But, some of them are into multiple printings, and they are usually sealed. If you always want a first edition of whatever the book is, you need to be careful with them. But they are very nice.

[Randall Flagg]

I saw a stack of those last week. Very nice looking and feeling book, but I noticed no numberline, so much like a Book Club edition, it is hard/impossible to tell if there is a 1st edition.

[Roland of Gilead 33]

i just have "Lost World" & "Airframe" in hardback but i've yet to read "Airframe' though. is it any good?

[biomieg]

Thanks, Hunter! I didn't know that one but I may go try and find one. My priority right now is to upgrade my paperbacks and get all the hardcovers but $20 is really cheap.

Do any of you guys have Crichton S/Ls? I'd love to see those.

[Roland of Gilead 33]

which one is that? i don't know his work that well actually.

[biomieg]

i just have "Lost World" & "Airframe" in hardback but i've yet to read "Airframe' though. is it any good?

I liked AIRFRAME quite a bit! And regarding your other post, I was wondering if any of the other members here have some of the signed/limited (S/L) editions of Crichton's books. I have seen some pics online but I would love to see close-up photos and/or pics of the books together on a bookshelf :)

[ELazansky]

I saw a stack of those last week. Very nice looking and feeling book, but I noticed no numberline, so much like a Book Club edition, it is hard/impossible to tell if there is a 1st edition.

I don't know if all of the B&N books have numberlines. I was looking at an open copy of Wicked/Son of a Witch and it did show a numberline that was on the 3rd or 4th printing. I just assumed they were all like that.

[Roland of Gilead 33]

none of my books of his are signed unfortunally. :(

[goathunter]

I talked myself into it. I picked up the B&N edition today. I haven't opened the shrinkwrap yet to see if it has a numberline....

Hunter

[ELazansky]

Let us know when you do - curious to see what it says

[Randall Flagg]

It is a gorgeous book, and the price is low. Enjoy it. The lowest it will go is zero. If you enjoy it and spent ~$20 that's cool. About the same as 6 gallons of gas.

[goathunter]

All true, Randall!

It does have a number line. The copyright page says, "Printed in China, November 2010" and then has "9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" below that.

Hunter

[ELazansky]

Hunter,

Thanks for confirming the numberline issue. I better head on out and get one this week!

[mae]

I also collect MC and I have a complete collection of all his 1sts, except the paperback originals. Love his books. I started a couple of years ago only: http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?2182.

[mae]

Anyone yet read Micro?

[Bev Vincent]

I haven't been encouraged by the reviews.

[mae]

I haven't even seen one, but I haven't really been looking. I have the book, of course. It was billed as a new Jurassic Park.

[Bev Vincent]

The ones I've read complain that Preston filled the book full of details written in flat prose. I haven't seen anything complimentary in the main press. Even the Amazon review matrix is less than encouraging:

37 Reviews
5 star: (7)
4 star: (2)
3 star: (7)
2 star: (10)
1 star: (11)

I think I'll pass on it.

[Lurker]

Don't really collect Crichton, but have many of his books. Years ago I bought the gift edition of Jurassic Park. I have always wondered if the signature by Crichton on the tipped-in page is actually his or a facsimile. Anybody know?

[Bev Vincent]

It was created using an auto-pen capable of producing up to 3000 "autographs" a day.

[Randall Flagg]

Don't really collect Crichton, but have many of his books. Years ago I bought the gift edition of Jurassic Park. I have always wondered if the signature by Crichton on the tipped-in page is actually his or a facsimile. Anybody know?
It is absolutely a facsimile.

[mae]

That's unfortunate about Preston's prose, but I suppose any unfinished manuscript would suffer that after being completed by a completely different author. I would if they may publish Crichton's original manuscript as is.

[Bev Vincent]

The previous book, Pirate Latitudes, read to me like an unpolished first draft. Apparently Micro was only 1/3 complete, though there were reportedly notes, research materials and an outline.

[Lurker]

It is absolutely a facsimile.

Kinda thought so. But still a nice book. Thanks.

[Dan]

There is a 1st edition copy of Congo in very good condition at the local used book store for $15. Is this a good price? I try to research on abebooks, but the range of prices is so vast it's hard to judge.

[Cordial Jim]

A couple of early Crichton paperbacks that I picked up recently. I love his early PB's.

http://magnum-mania.com/images/crichton_6.jpg

[killjoy72]

Nice!

[wolfehr]

Anyone know what a signed Jurassic Park 1/1 would be worth? I haven't really collected him, but I love him as an author and there's a copy on eBay.... If you have any thoughts on the signature I'd appreciate that advice as well :)

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton US 1990, 1st Edition 1st Printing Signed, Rare ($595 BIN w/ make offer) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301693616287?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

[needfulthings]

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/5996/jWuxiD.jpg

[sgc1999]

Anyone know what a signed Jurassic Park 1/1 would be worth? I haven't really collected him, but I love him as an author and there's a copy on eBay.... If you have any thoughts on the signature I'd appreciate that advice as well :)

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton US 1990, 1st Edition 1st Printing Signed, Rare ($595 BIN w/ make offer) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301693616287?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

There asking way to much. Im pretty sure that's a forgery too.

[wolfehr]

Thanks for the advice sgc1999! Will pass on this one.

[sgc1999]

Thanks for the advice sgc1999! Will pass on this one.

NP :)
If I see one at a decent price that looks legit ill let you know.

[Dan]

I stopped by the Half Price Books in Clayton, Missouri earlier this week and they had quite a few of the Michael Crichton first editions for sale. I can't remember if they were signed or not, but you could call them and ask. They do ship.

[wolfehr]

I stopped by the Half Price Books in Clayton, Missouri earlier this week and they had quite a few of the Michael Crichton first editions for sale. I can't remember if they were signed or not, but you could call them and ask. They do ship.

Thanks for the tip Dan. Looks like they have a website and do have some signed first editions, but they're rather expensive. Might get in touch and try to negotiate.

[becca69]

Don't really collect Crichton, but have many of his books. Years ago I bought the gift edition of Jurassic Park. I have always wondered if the signature by Crichton on the tipped-in page is actually his or a facsimile. Anybody know?
It is absolutely a facsimile.

I recently picked up a copy of the gift edition for my son for Christmas. He has loved JP movies since he was 4 and I figured he should have the book. When I was looking at copies for sale, the signatures all had variations. I read it might be a facsimile but if it is, wouldn't the signatures all look the same? Or do you think they used multiple auto pens?

[ELazansky]

Don't really collect Crichton, but have many of his books. Years ago I bought the gift edition of Jurassic Park. I have always wondered if the signature by Crichton on the tipped-in page is actually his or a facsimile. Anybody know?
It is absolutely a facsimile.

I recently picked up a copy of the gift edition for my son for Christmas. He has loved JP movies since he was 4 and I figured he should have the book. When I was looking at copies for sale, the signatures all had variations. I read it might be a facsimile but if it is, wouldn't the signatures all look the same? Or do you think they used multiple auto pens?

Here's a great little story about that book (I have one on my shelf):

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yIn8QzWeTfI/UTMfAM8CmDI/AAAAAAAAABk/z7g9gcZQPlQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-03+at+4.16.45+AM.png

[cit74]

nice article - I do not have the gift edition - but I only have one crichton sig in my collection - it just happens to be a first printing of Jurassic park - so I am happy with that. I absolutely loved Crichton - he was the one author early on for me that as soon as a new book came out i would buy it immediately and read it that night

[Bev Vincent]

It was one of the earliest, most publicized use of an autopen for a "signed" edition.

http://onegirlcollecting.blogspot.com/2011/04/autopen.html

[cit74]

It was one of the earliest, most publicized use of an autopen for a "signed" edition.

http://onegirlcollecting.blogspot.com/2011/04/autopen.html

Thank you for the link, another interesting read, plus I bookmarked her home page - I like the information there too

[becca69]

Thanks for the info. I got the book at a good price and more for the illustrations and cool dust jacket. I thought my son would prefer this edition.

[Cordial Jim]

Recent additions to my Crichton collection:

Easy Go (1968 ) and Zero Cool (1969), first printing paperback originals, NF condition.

http://magnum-mania.com/images/easy_cool.jpg

The Venom Business (1969), first printing 1970, NF. Not a first edition, as this was his first hardback release, but still scarce.

http://magnum-mania.com/images/venom_business.jpg

Pretty amazing that he wrote these while still in medical school.

[Dan]

Those are great!!

[mae]

Would love to get these early novels reprinted in hardcovers someday.

[RC65]

Would love to get these early novels reprinted in hardcovers someday.

I picked up all (6? 7? 8? ...can't recall) the Hard Case Crime tpbs at half off a while back...haven't got to them yet, but am looking forward to reading them in one streak someday soon. They all have remainder marks, unfortunately, but given that they're just designed for reading, not collecting, I'm okay with that (though I really, really wish that practice would be stopped).

[Kingfan24]

Damn this thread has got NO LOVE ... guess I will post my collection soon.

I will start off with 3 association copies (with more to follow). The three books are all 1/1 and they are eaters of the dead, sphere, and the lost world. These are signed to Kathy Bowman, Crichton's long time travel agent. What is ESPECIALLY cool about Lost World is that the little girl in the beginning of the book, Cathy Bowman, was named after the woman that the book is signed to.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/medium/image111.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/medium/image311.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/medium/image211.JPG

[herbertwest]

Have you heard? There will be a new posthume book : DRAGON TEETH
>>> http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/28/12319480/michael-crichton-new-book-dinosaur-dragon-teeth

[asted2113]

I've come across a different version of the Dragon Teeth advanced readers copy that I am wondering if its an earlier version or if its a fake.
It looks like the book but has a black plastic back and clear plastic front and its held together with a black plastic binding. I got it from someone who I have dealt with several times with advanced reader's copies.
Anyone know if there were different versions of the ARC?
Thanks for the help!

[herbertwest]

Getting rid of some books, I've found an old copy of the french READER'S DIGEST with Michael Crichton's The Great Train Robbery.
The book in "leatherette" (sort of leather?) contains about 7 illustrations.

Weirdly/interestingly, the summary of the reader's digest mention that the author is "robert crichton" while the actual part of the book mentions "michael crichton"

If it would interest anybody here, i'd be happy to get rid of it for a symbolic $1 + shipping fees (I'd tend to guess that I can send it very cheaply as it's french book and we have a cheap option at the post office for sending french book)

[daniel_pyle]

Today was my birthday, and my wonderful wife got me the last book I needed to complete my collection (The Venom Business). All are first prints. There are a couple of excerpts from Scratch One and Grave Descend in magazines that I don’t really consider necessary additions to the collection—although I’ll probably still try to pick them up at some point—but otherwise this is everything I know of!

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/medium/crichton.png (http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=31185&title=crichton&cat=500)

[herbertwest]

Nice !