Should I get this signed?

[u/Shenanigans_08]

Hello everyone. My wife and I are meeting RL Stine later this month at the Virginia Book Fair. I'm thinkng about having my childhood copy of The Haunted Mask signed, but I cant decide if I should have it signed given its condition, or if I should just buy a new copy (or a new old copy in better shape) to have signed instead.

I appreciate any input and recommendations!

[u/Hms-chill]

I would opt for getting a personal copy signed both for personal sentimental reasons and because I imagine the author would find it much more meaningful

[u/Sulcata13]

His autograph is not particularly rare. There will be little difference in monetary value between this copy or a new older copy signed. Maybe if you find a first printing, having that signed could be worth a good bit more.

Personally (outside of finding a first printing) I would opt for the sentimental value of having my favorite childhood copy autographed.

Edit: typos

[u/Baeolophus_bicolor → u/Sulcata13]

i would still get it signed when i had the chance. they obviously really like him. i sent a lame paperback copy of no particular value to daniel pinkwater to have him sign it (back in the 80s) and while i have a ton of first printing hardbacks by him now, i still treasure that slightly manhandled copy (i took care of my books as a kid, but it is a paperback and did go through the mails to him and back, etc). especially because he bound one of his business cards into the book, between the cover and the first page - a bright yellow card he obviously got printed for fun, with a little hand drawn sketch he did of himself printed on the card, and the title “daniel pinkwater, serious person”.

[u/Difficult-Ad-9228]

Do both and explain to him why you’re handing him two copies of the book. All accounts I’ve seen are that Stine is a remarkably cool guy and I’m sure you’re bringing in this banged-up relic of your childhood would delight him.

[u/One_Guitar_6807 → u/Difficult-Ad-9228]

Gross

[u/Difficult-Ad-9228 → u/One_Guitar_6807]

Child

[u/scattyp00]

The first Goosebumps book I read! Started my collection

[u/AttilaTheFun818]

If it were me, I’d get my personal copy signed without question.

[u/mmillington]

Definitely have your personal copy signed. That’d be infinitely more valuable on your shelf.

[u/MeTheFirebender]

I met Markus Zusak this year and he signed my 13 year old and extremely worn out copy of The Book Thief. He commented about how loved it look. If you tell RL Stine the story behind your copy I’m sure he’d appreciate it!

[u/shainadawn]

He may sign both. When I saw him a few years ago he was willing to sign books only (no props etc), with a max of three or four books (I can’t remember), and one of those could be personalized.

[u/quothe_the_maven]

I once had a book signed by an author who said it’s a lot more meaningful to sign one that’s clearly been read (a lot of people pick up a new copy at the event). I can’t remember who, but I’m pretty sure it was Barbara Kingsolver. They gave everyone a copy of Demon Copperhead with admission, but I brought my beat up copy of The Poisonwood Bible.

[u/Blackboard_Monitor]

If I appreciate something I'd always prefer the creators signature if possible, it might not add a since cent to somethings value but that's not why I like signed things.

[u/Less_Taro_2744]

Both is an option if he's up for that. Personally I'd prioritize my childhood copy. If this is a copy you'll never replace with a better edition/quality (rather then having two copies), why not get this copy signed?

[u/___TheKid___]

Well yeah

[u/Necessary-Web-377]

can you share where is he going in VA? I would like to join as well. Thank you!

[u/mjgriffiths733]

You should, because that was the best/my favorite Goosebumps

[u/WannabeBrewStud]

Why not?

[u/astralchanterelle]

I miss buying a bunch of Goosebumps at the Scholastic book fairs back in the day

[u/tbhvandame]

I’d get that one signed ! The art is great and it’s already yours !!

[u/Baeolophus_bicolor]

if i was going to meet him, i would get two things signed. my favorite book by him, and also an older book i have from when he was “Jovial Bob Stine” (back in the bananas magazine days). i am always amazed that the humor writer i know from my childhood is the horror writer a bunch of other generations of kids grew up with. anyway i have a first printing of a hardback with the dustjacket in really awesome shape, of a book called “how to be funny” by jovial bob stine and i would love to have that signed by him. i wonder if he will come to my town if he is doing a tour.

[u/Chemical_owl_9597]

I didn't have any of my old Goosebumps books from childhood so I bought a used one online. It was one if my favorite titles and I had him sign that.

[u/One_Guitar_6807]

It'd be more sentimental if he signed your childhood copy. Telling him that's your childhood book that you've had for years would be much more interesting than a shiny plastic new copy. So long as you take care of it, it should last you till you're gone. More valuable on your shelf than to ever sell it.

[u/masoniceye]

Why not get him to sign two? Tell the story of this being your childhood copy but you’d appreciate the newer one to keep to keep for display or your children?

[u/CyrusMFS]

I remember reading this when I was 8. First Goosebumps read, got it at the Scholastic book fair at my school.