Sometimes You Get a Second Chance!!!
One of the more frustrating things about collecting rare limited edition Beatles-related books are the books that slip by for one reason or another. Sometimes it is the expense, sometimes the book sells out so quickly and you simply do not have the opportunity to buy it. Other times you are not aware of the book’s existence until it has already been sold out. This book published in 1979 escaped my notice when it was issued and it has now become very expensive to acquire.
It is called StarArt and it is a limited edition book of 300 copies signed by Joni Mitchell, Klaus Voormann, Commander Cody, and Rolling Stone, Ron Wood. Much of their individual artwork is featured in the book. When Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islam, he could not sign the limited edition. This book was advertised on Ebay and the price being asked was too steep for me. However the seller did take bids and I was able to purchase the book for a significantly reduced price. This was the icing on the cake for me as I was also fortunate to be able to buy a copy of the trade edition and at a Fest for Beatles Fans convention in NJ many years ago, Klaus Voormann signed the copy of the trade edition for me. A cover photo of the trade edition features a drawing done in the classic Voormann style. (shown at the end of this post)
The ultimate realization when you collect limited edition books is that you need to know there are some things or titles that may be beyond your financial grasp or knowledge base that the book has been issued, unless you are independently wealthy. The best way to deal with that disappointment is one needs to feel psychologically grateful for what one has!!! A question is posed at the end of this post that has to deal with this issue in more detail and I would love to read your responses.
From the original Ebay description of the item– Signatures include: JONI MITCHELL, RONNIE WOOD (of THE ROLLING STONES); JOHN MAYALL; KLAUS VOORMANN; COMMANDER CODY and CAT STEVENS (who converted to the Muslim faith while the book was being published, and is the only one who did not sign–though there is an original card insert that states this) are also featured with their artwork. (edited and also signed by Debby Chesher)
The StarArt book and slipcase
The trade edition of the StarArt book with the Voormann style cover! It is a sad thing that all special edition books do not have a mass market edition that can be purchased by anyone that is interested. That is the fair way of doing things: I was able to get a signed copy of this book from Klaus Voormann at a Fest for Beatles Fans.
DO LIMITED EDITION BOOKS BOTHER YOU???
And now the question that I am very curious about as a collector and the example I cite below is not intended to single out Paul McCartney in this question. It could easily also apply to the $1350 John Lennon Mind Games set as well out together by his son Sean
Or is this simply a non-issue where if people want to spend large amounts for limited edition items, this is free enterprise and no one is forcing you to buy things at exorbitant prices that you can not afford? Should the artist be a bit more sensitive to making his/her fans feel they are missing out on something because it may have a price tag in the stratosphere? There is of course no right or wrong answer to these questions, but they still are interesting to ponder!
Does it bother you when Paul McCartney offers a 175-copy limited signed edition of his book featuring photos he took in late 63 and in 1964 as Beatlemania broke and the starting price begins at $3,000? As a point of discussion, would it not be better if he was going to issue a limited edition of let’s say 1,000 books and charged $500 for a copy, instead? He could raise a half million dollars for charity that way and make 1,000 people happy rather than the 175 people of his new signed edition released in June of 2023. I know that would not satisfy everyone but at least it would make it much more affordable for the die-hard McCartney/Beatles fan that would like to acquire a special signed edition book by their hero!
What are your thoughts on this matter? Looking forward to your replies….
Buzz
There has certainly become an elitist trend in rock music. I don’t like how so many artists are catering to their wealthiest fans by offering such extravagant “goodies” (meet-and-greets, $1000+ concert tickets, ridiculously expensive “limited edition” books or record sets). They seem to be thumbing their noses at the huge population of fans who could never afford such luxury items. A working class hero is something to be!
Dear David,
Your question spans not only the issue of rare literary works, but the cost associated with attending live concert performances and the even more extravagant meet-and-greet events that are occasionally promoted as well.
Artists who keep fan finances in mind tip their hat to the very loyal fan base that keeps their careers alive in the first place.
They deserve every penny that their craft has earned, but keeping the larger core of fans coming back makes for a win-win situation. Asking fans to pay thousands of dollars for a rare book or a great concert ticket will eventually reduce the fan base to only those with the discretionary income to afford such luxuries. This is not what fandom is about. When a work or event is accessible to all, longevity of great artists is increased. Thank you for posing this question.
Anthony:
Thank you for your thoughts on the subject but I have to be honest in admitting that I have more mixed feelings about the subject due to the part of collecting that yearns for something “special” from the artists in question. I like the feeling of possessing an item not privy to many others but simultaneously feeling a bit guilty that others may have also wanted a copy but for some reason were not able to obtain either for finanical reasons or “bad timing” in seeking the item out. I agree with you on most of your observations and one major point in particular. Special editions should also be issued in a more affordable format so that all the fans can also fully enjoy the work of their favorite artists! “Collecting” and “Collectors” can be a strange phenomenon. Just like anything else in life they can vary from being either good or bad depending on what criteria they are being judged!