One of Those Somber Moments at Half-Price Books

[Cyrano]

Every now and again I see one of these, though most commonly in the military history area.  A tidy, near-mint collection of books all on the same subject, all in their dust jackets.  One must-needs fear the worst about their owner.

This one, which I didn't notice at first glance, hit me particularly hard:



"Solo Wargaming" came home with me.

Roll Sixes...wherever you are...

Best,

Jim
"Cyrano"
:/7)

[bayonetbrant]

At the risk of being too somber, if you get a chance to go back and snag the other Featherstone book, please LMK what it cost you and I'll send you a check.

[GJK]

I never see books on wargaming at HPB.  I find a few little games, but no books about it.  :(

[Staggerwing]

Well, at least you have a Half-Priced Books nearby. Some of us are not so lucky. :(

[Toonces]

Hmmm.  I've never thought of it that way but I see your point.  I am usually so giddy at finding a score that it never occurs to me how the books got there.

I might have grabbed that whole row.   :o

[LongBlade]

Thanks for sharing that Cyrano. I agree, it is always a somber moment when I find something like that.

Last year I picked up a 20-something volume copy of a Time-Life encyclopedia on World War II. The first volume had a small card in it indicating the recipient's address (a town some 50 miles away from the store) and that it was a gift subscription. By the way the books opened I could tell they'd never been cracked. True mint condition. I felt a bit like a thief for buying it. The cost was far too cheap. Here was, in all likelihood, a WWII vet's gift that had never been opened. It felt like it was his.

I also found a copy there once of Samurai Swords. For sale for $50. I told them they should be asking double the price, but then again, it is Half Price Books.

[GJK]

Up Front, new and unpunched.  Time Tripper the same way.  SPI's PTO, unpunched. Blood Bowl 3rd edition barely used were just some of my finds.  I wonder if perhaps those were games in an aging gamers collection (like mine) that had passed and his family donated them to HPB not knowing what they were.  Yeah, I've wondered the same.  I prefer however to think that it was a gamer that realized that he'll never play those games (since he never had to this point) and without wanting to worry about advertising and shipping, just looked to dump them off at HPB.

What is really sad though is some of the books that my gf has unveiled.  These are usually in the self-motivation, self-help section and you see the inscriptions on the inside cover "Laura, I pray that you find this book as wonderful and helpful to you as it was to me.  The words that it contains are what helped me to put up with your father for the past 30 years and now that you've met Rob, I immediately thought of getting a copy for you.  Love, mom". 

Or worse: "My darling Lisa-Anne, you have made me the proudest father on the face of the Earth and it is with tears in my eyes that I present this treasured volume of 'xxxxxxxxx' from my private collection.  Love, your father".

I think I'm going to treat myself to HPB today.  We have 5 in the immediate area, one right next to my FLGS (where the wargames seem to collect).  That will be a father's day treat to myself.  :)

[bbmike]

Are those two Star Fleet Battles SSD books? I'm trying to reach through the screen!  :))

[Nefaro]

That Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay may be worth more than it retailed for, if in good condition.  Since Fantasy Flight stopped printing that edition, the prices have shot up on the stuff, from what I've gathered. 

Although that one is just a Toolkit - probably extras and not a core or sourcebook.

Are those two Star Fleet Battles SSD books? I'm trying to reach through the screen!  :))

Dunno if they're full of SSDs.  They look like scenario or campaign books.

[Cyrano]

The SFB collection...had to make a return trip :).

Oh, and the WHFRPG is the Adventurer's Toolkit...

Best,

Jim
"Cyrano"
:/7)

[Nefaro]

The SFB collection...had to make a return trip :).

Yep.. scenario books!  O0

Oh, and the WHFRPG is the Adventurer's Toolkit...

RPG nerds must've already cleaned out any books that came with the lot.  I think the toolkits are just some cardboard and a few skill/spell cards or something.



Also wish I had a Half-Price Book store nearby.  Or any large used book store. 

While there are some in this city, they're all on the other side.  Which ends up being at least an hour and a half drive on a good day with no traffic jams/accidents (which is about 50/50 anymore).  Don't want my road rage to fester any more than needed, on the long shot that I'll find anything good.

[Toonces]

Heh.  So I went to the local used book store that's about 1.5 miles from where I'm staying and I had a whole different outlook looking at all of the large collections.

However, any sadness I felt did not stop me from picking up vols. 1, 3, 4 of Battles and Leaders of the Civil War.   ;)

[bbmike]

Oh yeah, I forgot all about those "Captain's Log" scenarios. I used to get Task Force Game's Nexus magazine but never bought anything else outside of that.
I really should visit some local used books stores to see what's there.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

Hmmm.  I've never thought of it that way but I see your point.  I am usually so giddy at finding a score that it never occurs to me how the books got there.

I just assume the poor bastard went and did something stupid like get married.

[Staggerwing]

Hmmm.  I've never thought of it that way but I see your point.  I am usually so giddy at finding a score that it never occurs to me how the books got there.

I just assume the poor bastard went and did something stupid like get married.

Or got evicted from moved out of his parents' basement?