Hell, I Was There book by Elmer Keith?

[41Dude]

I have a well-worn copy for myself I was lucky to find at a reasonable price. Started searching for a copy for my Grandson.
What the heck????? Prices are insane. $150.00+++ wherever I look.
Did I miss some sort of anniversary or special event that would skyrocket prices like that?

 

[Jeepnik]

Nope. Online auctions have convinced people they can sell a two dollar item for two hundred dollars. Thus today a 15 dollar book lists for one hundred and fifty dollars. And there are fools that will pay it.

 

[375hh1973]

Only $197 on thriftbooks.com

 

[g5m]

Market and availability.

 

[contender]

g5m has it correct.

Fewer of that book published,, and higher demand.

I'm just glad that many years ago,, as my meager funds wouldn't allow me to buy both "Sixguns" and "Hell, I was there" I chose "Hell, I was there."
You want to look at Keith books an prices,, look at "Safari" and you'll see higher prices.

 

[Fox Mike]

Not just Keith's books but many others as well. I have a signed and dedicated copy of Guadalcanal- Island of Fire that was written by a long time family friend. He gave me the copy right after it was published. A new copy is a wee bit pricey now.
https://www.alibris.com/Guadalcanal...-Group-Robert-Lawrence-Ferguson/book/41115891

 

[41Dude]

Only $197 on thriftbooks.com

Only!!!!!!! Yikes, they can keep it.

 

[arfmel]

"Thus today a 15 dollar book lists for one hundred and fifty dollars. And there are fools that will pay it."

A willing buyer and a willing seller establish the price at $150. The fool would be the seller who takes $15 for a book that sells for $150. JMHO.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

It's an entertaining reading experience. I bought my first long lost copy back in the mid 80's...and, a replacement copy at a library sale of donated books they didn't want for $5 around 10 years ago.

 

[protoolman]

My copy has a nice letter to my aunt and he autographed it. They were teenage sweethearts near Winston Mt and he mentions her family in the book. Check Keith, An Autobiography. It's substantially the same book maybe cheaper on e bay?

 

[mike454]

I got my copy from the outdoor life book of the month club back in the 80's. Was going to mention that Keith, An Autobiography was pretty much the same book but was beaten to it.

 

[Watertender]

If it was an autographed copy it might be worth a few bucks, otherwise I wouldn't spend that much on it

 

[rotor]

I have a scanned copy that came from somewhere.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Look at gold on E-bay, SELLING for over double spot in some cases. Silver too. How about thousands of dollars for a Beauty and The Beast VHS tape? Hundreds of dollars for a specific Eagles karaoke disc? The Keith book sells for anywhere between $70.oo and $699.oo Suckers born every minute.

 

[rotor]

Also on Amazon.

 

[edm1]

I checked out “Hell I was there” from a library and read it 25 years ago. Great book.

 

[Johnnu2]

I don't read much......
Probably wouldn't buy a book unless I couldn't find what I needed on the "net".
Besides, most of my stuff is just gonna get tossed out when I'm gone...
J.

 

[Fox Mike]

Try this for sticker shock.
https://www.abebooks.com/signed-fir...Elmer-eith-Petersen-Publishing/30617680968/bd

 

[6GUNSONLY]

My wife bought me a copy in about 1981 or 82, I loaned it to a friend who then left town in the middle of the night and I never saw him or my Elmer Keith book again. I replaced it a few years ago. I also have a copy of Sixguns and will re-read them time to time. Right now I'm ready several Jack O'Conner books I bought recently (he and Keith certainly did NOT see eye-to-eye on a lot of things). I got 4 O'Conner books plus a Russell Annabell book for less than the going price for a copy of Hell I Was There.

 

[Jeepnik]

I have Elmer’s books plus those of Skeeter, Jordan, and The Colonel. A lot I agree with some not so much.

 

[Joe Reilly]

Try this for sticker shock.
https://www.abebooks.com/signed-fir...Elmer-eith-Petersen-Publishing/30617680968/bd

I might have to take a couple guns out of the safe and put some books in.

 

[Goldstar225]

Fortunately I bought "Hell I was there" and "Sixguns" many years ago and still have them. I regret not purchasing Skeeters books. I may have to pony up the money to correct that failing.

 

[contender]

I was raised being taught to read. Plus,, when I was in grade school, we could order paperback books through a school program very cheaply. I did so,, a lot.
I enjoy reading.
As a teen I subscribed to outdoor & gun magazines. I still do.
And as I grew older,, and began my life,, I'd get books by authors I enjoyed. But often,, I couldn't afford some of them. I wanted a Keith book, and chose "Hell,,I Was There" as my first Keith book. Now,, I own all of them.
I got books by Skeeter,,, my favorite gunwriter. I have Bill Jordan, John Taffin, & many others.

More recently,,(as in last week,) I received a copy of a VERY low printing (as only 20 copies) of Don Findley's latest book. "Ruger The Lost Files!" Don is kind enough to assign a special number to me, and sign each of his books to me as well.
As far as I can uncover,, I have every book ever published about Ruger firearms.

Yes,, I have a library.

Many of my books are signed by the author,, and some are kinda rare.

And I also know that many of the younger generation aren't as into books as older folks. But I do have a son who enjoys books as well.

Written & printed word can't be altered like electronic stuff can. And electronic stuff requires batteries or electric power. A book doesn't. And for me,, a book travels easier to many places over a tablet big enough to read without squinting. So,, while many say books are going out of style,, or dying,, I do my part to keep them alive. And with the values many have placed upon some books,, I'm not alone.

 

[Fox Mike]

I have a hard cover copy of his autobiography inbound by Thursday. Less than $50.00.

 

[41Dude]

I have a hard cover copy of his autobiography inbound by Thursday. Less than $50.00.

Great score. If you have never read it you are in for a treat.

 

[41Dude]

I was raised being taught to read. Plus,, when I was in grade school, we could order paperback books through a school program very cheaply. I did so,, a lot.
I enjoy reading.
As a teen I subscribed to outdoor & gun magazines. I still do.
And as I grew older,, and began my life,, I'd get books by authors I enjoyed. But often,, I couldn't afford some of them. I wanted a Keith book, and chose "Hell,,I Was There" as my first Keith book. Now,, I own all of them.
I got books by Skeeter,,, my favorite gunwriter. I have Bill Jordan, John Taffin, & many others.

More recently,,(as in last week,) I received a copy of a VERY low printing (as only 20 copies) of Don Findley's latest book. "Ruger The Lost Files!" Don is kind enough to assign a special number to me, and sign each of his books to me as well.
As far as I can uncover,, I have every book ever published about Ruger firearms.

Yes,, I have a library.

Many of my books are signed by the author,, and some are kinda rare.

And I also know that many of the younger generation aren't as into books as older folks. But I do have a son who enjoys books as well.

Written & printed word can't be altered like electronic stuff can. And electronic stuff requires batteries or electric power. A book doesn't. And for me,, a book travels easier to many places over a tablet big enough to read without squinting. So,, while many say books are going out of style,, or dying,, I do my part to keep them alive. And with the values many have placed upon some books,, I'm not alone.

Been a few years ago on news during airport snowstorm shutdown. People were crying because all of the devices were dying without enough plug ins for everyone to charge back up. Young man sitting in corner was asked by reporter how he was doing. He said fine and held up a fat paperback book.

 

[gnappi]

I still have Hell I was there bought when Elmer Keith was still alive. The truth be told it's a pretty long read that many wouldn't have patience to go through. Jeez, many peeps nowadays won't read a reloading manual.

Yeah, current prices are high but I personally applaud newbies who are willing to pay a high price to own a bit of history and knowledge.

 

[axman]

I just saw this thread.
I bought my copy from Keith's fellow gun writer Ken Waters.