Condition

Collectors of mass market commodities are always concerned with condition. Top quality means rare which equals desirable which equals price. 

The dearest White Circle from Wm. Collins Sons & Co. Canada, I, the Jury, is a good example. Often described as rare or scare it isn't. There are always copies to be found which is not the case for many of the WCs. There are now five copies of the first printing available for purchase on the web - four on ABE, one on eBay. The prices vary from $10 to $320. One is signed by Spillane. Since Spillane would have signed his liver if presented to him this makes this copy nothing special. The only fairly priced copy is the $10.

Below are three copies. They cost $275, $40, $15 top to bottom. The condition premium is clear. Although $40 is a low price for a copy in this condition.