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Science Fiction World , v. 1, issue 4, August 1946

Page 5

SCIENCE FICTION WORLD
(5)
SAM MOSKOWITZ
ADVENTURES OF A BOOK COLLECTOR
[drawing of a book]

Accompanied by Richard Witter of Staten Island I sallied into a bookshop off Journal Square in Jersey City.  Immediately, we began going over the book titles, acknowledging the nod of the dealer.  Three-quarters of the way through I was convinced that the place had been picked clean and I left Witter to continue the search while I engaged the dealer in conversation.
He was working on a minor repair job for a new copy of the fantasy anthology, "Pause to Wonder".  He bemoaned the difficulty of obtaining enough fantasy books mentioning that he did not dare send a damaged book back for fear the company would take offense and 'cut him off'.  I asked him if he had any fantasy and he referred me to a used copy of Merritt's 'Seven Footprints to Satan' in pocketbook form which he might be induced to part with for a quarter.  The fact that it could be obtained new on any newsstand for that price did not seem to impress him.  
He spoke of dozens of fantasy fans who entered his doors; "suckers" who paid fantastic prices for the stuff.  Then, confidentailly he asked me if I had ever heard of Derleth.  That was all he needed; when I confessed some knowledge of the man he imparted this information.
"Why Mr. Derleth wrote me just the other day," he said with an air of considerable importance.  "I've ordered some books from him for my customers.  Smart man, Derleth.  Lots of brains; good business man.  I understand his first published book, "The Outsider" by Lovecraft, is getting a good price.  Why, Derleth, himself, told me that dealers were getting fifteen dollars for the book."
He examined me closely to see how visibly impressed I was by the fact that Derleth had written to him, personally, and then, with the air of a cat playing with a mouse he said, "Snow use boys, no fantastic books here."
Witter seemed to be of a difference mind as he produced John Gunther's fantasy "Eden for One.
"Guess there's a sleeper in every bookstore," the dealer told us.  "Well, if it's a valuable book it's you luck.  When I mark a price in 'em that's what I sell'em for."

Scarlos and Witter acompanied me into the bookshop of a little man in Newark who is the horader type.  He is dreadfully afraid of selling any book for fear that it might have an unsuspected value.  When you enter his shop you never got further than ten feet inside before he blocks any further process and you must then 'fess up what you want and pay the price or get out.  Ordinarily I would never patronize him but my friends insisted that we try.
He was wary of every comment, refusing to commit himself on whether he had a desired book.  Cagily, he asked how much we were willing to pay.  Knowing me from before he handed me a list of books that he needed, asking me if I could get any of them.  Heading the list were "any books by Lovecraft?".

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SCIENCE FICTION WORLD (5) SAM MOSKOWITZ ADVENTURES OF A BOOK COLLECTOR [drawing of a book] Accompanied by Richard Witter of Staten Island I sallied into a bookshop off Journal Square in Jersey City. Immediately, we began going over the book titles, acknowledging the nod of the dealer. Three-quarters of the way through I was convinced that the place had been picked clean and I left Witter to continue the search while I engaged the dealer in conversation. He was working on a minor repair job for a new copy of the fantasy anthology, "Pause to Wonder". He bemoaned the difficulty of obtaining enough fantasy books mentioning that he did not dare send a damaged book back for fear the company would take offense and 'cut him off'. I asked him if he had any fantasy and he referred me to a used copy of Merritt's 'Seven Footprints to Satan' in pocketbook form which he might be induced to part with for a quarter. The fact that it could be obtained new on any newsstand for that price did not seem to impress him. He spoke of dozens of fantasy fans who entered his doors; "suckers" who paid fantastic prices for the stuff. Then, confidentailly he asked me if I had ever heard of Derleth. That was all he needed; when I confessed some knowledge of the man he imparted this information. "Why Mr. Derleth wrote me just the other day," he said with an air of considerable importance. "I've ordered some books from him for my customers. Smart man, Derleth. Lots of brains; good business man. I understand his first published book, "The Outsider" by Lovecraft, is getting a good price. Why, Derleth, himself, told me that dealers were getting fifteen dollars for the book." He examined me closely to see how visibly impressed I was by the fact that Derleth had written to him, personally, and then, with the air of a cat playing with a mouse he said, "Snow use boys, no fantastic books here." Witter seemed to be of a difference mind as he produced John Gunther's fantasy "Eden for One. "Guess there's a sleeper in every bookstore," the dealer told us. "Well, if it's a valuable book it's you luck. When I mark a price in 'em that's what I sell'em for." Scarlos and Witter acompanied me into the bookshop of a little man in Newark who is the horader type. He is dreadfully afraid of selling any book for fear that it might have an unsuspected value. When you enter his shop you never got further than ten feet inside before he blocks any further process and you must then 'fess up what you want and pay the price or get out. Ordinarily I would never patronize him but my friends insisted that we try. He was wary of every comment, refusing to commit himself on whether he had a desired book. Cagily, he asked how much we were willing to pay. Knowing me from before he handed me a list of books that he needed, asking me if I could get any of them. Heading the list were "any books by Lovecraft?".