"All Grosset and Dunlap Books Are Reprints"

So said many collector's guides from decades ago. This myth continues to be perpetuated among booksellers. Most booksellers know better, but a good many still believe that all Grosset and Dunlap books are worthless or cannot be first printings.

From the eBay Booksellers Board:

Book Help: Ted Scott Flying Stories

Someone asked whether a Ted Scott book could be a first printing. The first person to respond stated, "Anything by Grosset and Dunlap is a reprint." This person was quickly corrected by a couple of people who stated that most of the Grosset and Dunlap series books were originally published by Grosset and Dunlap.

Further into the message thread, professorbooknoodle stated:

There was a time in the book world -- years and years ago -- when dealers sneered at G & D books - and eschewed them -- nay - spurned them. But there were always a few bright-eyed collectors and dealers who ignored the prevailing winds and set out from shore a bit further, buying nice Grossets when prices were as low as a worm's perspective.

When ever a book was thrown across a room, there was 50% chance it was a Grosset.

Now the problem is to find specimens with spiffy jackets. That was always a goal, but there used to be more of them. Just a natural attrition.

Oldbookshopnj wrote, "I clearly remember going to a book sale and not buying G&D series books because I knew all G&D books were reprints."

Ouch! I have heard similar stories many times.