Stefan,

Good thing you saved your money. You can get a copy of the 1977 Arco version, good condition, in hardback online for $5.07 plus shipping. A copy of the (theoretically) rarer 1970 paperback version can be had in Good condition for $10 and Near Fine condition for $15.

Of course, if you are an ignorant **** you can buy a copy of the 1977 version in Good condition from one dealer trying to hawk it at $165.

Which brings up a good point. Buying stuff like this as an "investment" makes little or no sense. Buy something like one of G. Harry Stine's early volumes because of it's historical or hobbyist interest, not because it may appreciate in value. Because, with rare exceptions, hardly any of this hobby stuff appreciates more than the stock market has in an equivalent amount of time. Sure, there are the occasional (very rare) exceptions. But for the most part, none of this hobby stuff (or most of the "collectibles" stuff for that matter) is a good investment.

Case in point, The Model Rocketry Manual was published in October 1970.

Retail price 1.50

Dow Jones Industrial average 10/1/70 = $770.68

Retail price of Model Rocketry Manual today Near Fine condition $15.

Book appreciation 10X

Dow Jones Industrial Average closing yesterday $12,342.56

Dow Jones appreciation 16X


Even a signed first edition of Stine's 1982 Star Trek #6 is only going for $31.

Not exactly a small fortune.


But if you happen to have saved any of Gus Grissom's cancelled checks, now THOSE I might be willing to pay BIG money for, LOL.