Saturday, June 14, 2025

Nancy Drew #56 The Thirteenth Pearl eBay Listing with Insane AI Description

I recently saw an eBay listing for Nancy Drew #56 The Thirteenth Pearl that had a wildly bizarre description of printing points.  I couldn't figure out where the seller got the information.  Later, I realized that the description must have been generated by eBay's AI.

First, here are the seller's photos so that you can see what was offered.





Here is the bizarre and mostly fictitious description of the printing points:

Up for sale is a rare 1979 second printing of Nancy Drew #56, The Thirteenth Pearl – a must-have for collectors seeking unique misprint variants. This copy is the notorious "Triple Hoax" edition, featuring several key printing anomalies that set it apart from standard editions:

• Missing Yellow Bar on the Front Cover: The originally intended yellow bar that appears on first printings is absent, a primary indicator of this variant.

• Replacement of Unique Interior Imagery: Instead of the two distinctive Nancy images on the inside front cover pages, this copy displays the standard generic stamps found on other volumes in the series.

• Plate Substitution Error on Interior Covers: The specialized printing plates for #56 were inadvertently swapped with those from the next publication in the series, resulting in a uniform design that strips away its intended individuality.

• Dark Top Page Edge: An additional subtle feature is the darkened edge along the top of the pages—a recognized marker among collectors of this misprint.

Additional Details:

• Edition/Printing: 1979 Second Printing (Triple Hoax variant)

• Collectible Appeal: This edition is highly sought after by Nancy Drew enthusiasts and collectors due to its unique misprint and design anomalies.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a fan of the classic Nancy Drew mysteries, this rare misprint variant is a standout piece that perfectly encapsulates the quirks and charm of the series. Don’t miss your chance to add this unique copy to your collection!

Thirteenth Pearl never had a yellow bar at the top, and what's up with the idea that the yellow bar on any Nancy Drew book would make it a first printing?

The AI description mentions "two distinctive Nancy images on the front cover pages" that are "Unique Interior Imagery."  Apparently the AI is describing the double oval endpapers as "Unique Interior Imagery."  I believe most collectors would agree with that assessment, however odd it sounds.

I don't understand any of the paragraph that mentions the plate substitution error.  AI on crack, maybe?

Where does it get the idea that this is a misprint?

This serves as a good example of why eBay sellers should refrain from using eBay's AI to write their item description. 

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