Window Stickers

[Lee Stewart]

I don't know if this will help but let me offer an analogy . . .

I have a collection of books - well over 1000 hardcover books - all fiction. Books can be like cars - they are scored based in their condition, if they are a First Edition and did the author sign the book. A few of my books are worth well over $500 each because they have all three: excellent condition, First Edition and the author's signature. These books are 30 to 40 years old.

Many times a new author will get a limited printing of his/her first book. This means that all copies are First Editions so that criteria no longer applies.

So here is what I want to do - you tell me if I am being unethical . . .

I have a good (not excellent) condition book from a VERY popular author. It's his first book. I want to go to a book signing where he will be present signing his latest book and get him to sign my collectors book. By doing so it will raise the value of the book from $500 to $2500.

Once signed there is no way to tell he didn't sign it 40 years ago when the book first came out. Remember - it's HIS signature, not a forgery.

Oh . . . BTW . . . I paid 50 cents for the book at a yard sale 25 years ago.

That extra $2000 would mean a lot to me. I could really use it.

Ethical? Unethical?