# For Terry Pratchett enthusiasts with money: **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 4, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403 "2006-05-04T16:02:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/1 "2006-05-04T16:02:54Z")
From my Discworld mailing club newsletter: > [@](#): > > How many of you have always longed to own a pristine first > edition of _The Colour of Magic_, but don’t seem to have a > spare $16,000 lying around? > > How many of you already own a pristine first edition of _The > Colour of Magic_, but, due to its being kept shrink-wrapped > in a safe deposit box in Switzerland surrounded by feral > rottweilers, never actually have a chance to read it? > > Well, then, the first volume of Hill House, Publishers’ new > Discworld x 12 series may be the solution to your problems > (although if you’re suffering from problem #2, I’m more envious > than sympathetic). > > Limited to 500 subscriptions, this series consists of facsimile > editions of the first 12 Discworld novels. Identical in “binding, > paper stock, and jacket art,” the books are, according to the > series publicity, painstakingly “designed to reproduce as > closely as possible the true first editions of these books.” > In the case of _The Colour of Magic_, Hill House has certainly > gone to great lengths to reproduce all salient features of the > very rare 1983 Colin Smythe, Ltd. edition (only 506 copies > were initially published). Peter Schneider, head of Hill House, > Publishers, even arranged for the facsimile to be printed by the > original company, Pennsylvania’s Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing > Group, to ensure an appearance authentic enough to withstand > the closest scrutiny. An enormous world-bearing turtle, face > cast in blue shadows and flipper gleaming with amber light, > floats through space on Alan Smith’s jacket illustration, while > the familiar Colin Smythe avian logo appears on the spine, > jacket, and title page. The underlying cover is a deep green > stamped with gold lettering. > > The remaining 11 books will be released at a rate of one every four > months. Subscribers to the series will pay a rate of $35 per volume > with free shipping, while individual volumes can be purchased at a > rate of $40 plus shipping. In addition to the discount, subscribers > can look forward to a significant additional perk: “As a bonus, > subscribers to the Series will receive, after publication of book 6 > and book 12, a two-book history of Discworld, both volumes of > which will be signed by Terry Pratchett.” We have no details yet > concerning this exclusive history, but we’ll let you know just as > soon as we hear anything from the publisher. > > Speaking of bonuses, since the subsequent 11 volumes in the > series all feature Josh Kirby cover art, _The Colour of Magic_ > comes with the second edition Josh Kirby jacket as well as the > original. If you prefer to present a unified front of Kidby covers > on your bookshelves, you can do so at no extra charge. > > Although the series does represent a significant commitment > of time and money for a prospective purchaser, Hill House > appears very well-connected, well-established, and well-suited > to stay the course. Formed in 1983 to issue occasional special > editions, this New York based company went full-time in 2003. > Currently, special editions for Neil Gaiman, Lois McMaster Bujold, > Ray Bradbury, and the Shirley Jackson estate all appear on their > 2006 publishing schedule. Among those credited with assisting > the project are Colin Smythe, Terry’s assistant Rob Wilkins, > Terry’s U.S. editor Jennifer Brehl (also Peter Schneider’s wife), > and Terry himself. The sum total of experience and resources > devoted to ensuring the quality of these facsimiles is impressive. > > Essentially, _The Colour of Magic_ has been designed so that the > only readily discernable difference consists of the title page, which, > to prevent collector confusion, notes that “This facsimile of the first > edition of THE COLOUR OF MAGIC is published by Hill House, > Publishers . . . by arrangement with Colin Smythe, Ltd.” Just place > your bookmark over this distracting reminder of reality, and feel free > to pretend you’ve given the rottweilers a day off. > For more information, please visit the Hill House, Publishers website: > [http://hillhousepublishers.com/](http://hillhousepublishers.com/) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/2 "2006-05-04T16:06:54Z")
Cool. And done! ---
**Author:** ![yastobaal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/258eb7/32.png) [@yastobaal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yastobaal)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/3 "2006-05-04T17:35:52Z")
Ok I was thinking ooo cool, but they are publishing the US covers it looks like to me. oh well never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/4 "2006-05-04T19:01:09Z")
_cries into a big pile of non-existent money_ ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/5 "2006-05-04T20:14:32Z")
I’d be more interested in a facsimile first edition of _The Carpet People._ After all, TCOM is essentially the same but with different cover art, wheras TCP was substantially rewritten. I’d really love to see the original. ---
**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/6 "2006-05-04T20:27:42Z")
Hrm. I have a hardcover edition of The Color of Magic with the cover that the article described, but the binding reads “St. Martin’s Press”. No gold engraved letter on the under cover either. Close, but no cigar it would seem ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/7 "2006-05-04T20:28:23Z")
I don’t see information on subscribing to the entire 12-volume set on the Hill House site… Can someone point me to the appropriate page? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/8 "2006-05-04T20:30:53Z")
go to Hiil House Main Page. Click Terry Pratchett X12 off the left hand menu. Hit the button marked “Full Series now.” ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/9 "2006-05-04T21:02:28Z")
Okay, found it – and I just whored myself out for the entire 12-volume set… **eep!** (Or would that be “Ook!”? 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/10 "2006-05-04T21:42:59Z")
That’s what credit cards are for, silly person! Ook! ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/11 "2006-05-04T21:53:48Z")
Hill House is my bane. I want the $900 Neil Gaiman American Gods lettered edition (the slipcase is made from rosewood and black marble :eek: ), but, you know, it’s $900. :smack: Still might get the $400 subscription/Neverwhere/American Gods numbered edition deal though. (I am so Hill House’s bitch.) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/12 "2006-05-04T23:08:05Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > _cries into a big pile of non-existent money_ Yeah, I’m with you baby. 😉 But I do have a first-edition copy of Pyramids. Who wants to touch me? _crickets_ I said, WHO WANTS TO TOUCH ME? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/13 "2006-05-04T23:32:24Z")
Signed British Firsts of _Thief of Time_, _Thud!_, _The Fifth Elephant_, _Carpe Jugulam_. Signed American Firsts of _The Fifth Elephant_ and _Thief of Time._ First Editions from _Small Gods_ on. But I’ll still touch you. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/14 "2006-05-04T23:34:01Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Signed British Firsts of _Thief of Time_, _Thud!_, _The Fifth Elephant_, _Carpe Jugulam_. Signed American Firsts of _The Fifth Elephant_ and _Thief of Time._ First Editions from _Small Gods_ on. > > But I’ll still touch you. 😃 Goddamn show-off. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/15 "2006-05-04T23:46:00Z")
Collecting books is a vice I inherited from my mother, the librarian. My students know my favorite authors, so when they see Pterry is doing a signing somewhere, they try to get a copy signed for me. He’s really only signed three of them to me personally. And all of my copies are after he became a bigger seller than Shakespeare. You have a First from back when he was a semi-nobody. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2006, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/16 "2006-05-04T23:53:17Z")
Collecting books is a vice? _looks around at the shelves of books, books in every room, a book currently sitting on the scanner, another atop the stereo, atop the turtle tank_ Boy am I ever sinful. I love collecting books but I don’t have the money to buy first editions usually or anything…I ony buy hardcover for specific authors. Like Terry. And I bought the last Harry Potter in hc only because I couldn’t wait. All my others are in soft. All my Douglas Addams is in hardcover, too. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/17 "2006-05-05T03:00:38Z")
Didn’t Pterry say something about not liking to put out special editions of any of his books? ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/18 "2006-05-06T07:59:39Z")
> [@Gozu Tashoya](#): > > I want the $900 Neil Gaiman American Gods lettered edition (the slipcase is made from rosewood and black marble :eek: ), but, you know, it’s $900. :smack: No kidding. I enjoyed _American Gods,_ but not **that** much. :eep: > [@Anaamika](#): > > Collecting books is a vice? I don’t think so, but I know selling them (because your new domicile doesn’t have the shelf space)is a _sin._☹ > [@Shalmanese](#): > > Didn’t Pterry say something about not liking to put out special editions of any of his books? I don’t think these count as “special editions,” though. They’re _duplicates_ of the originals, not new volumes with different art or additional text or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Daylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/45deac/32.png) [@Daylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/19 "2006-05-06T08:29:17Z")
First edition is going for 16 grand?!? All I have to say is… “SQUEEK.” D. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403/20 "2006-05-06T15:59:49Z")
$16,000 for _TCOM_? Among my TP-reading friends (and that’s a not insubstantial number) it is universally held to be the worst DiscWorld novel. I would fork out that amount - always assuming that I had it, of course - for _Small Gods_ or _Lords and Ladies_, but _TCOM_? Er… no. My wallet stays firmly shut. 😛 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-terry-pratchett-enthusiasts-with-money/355403.md?page=2)