First Edition Hunt: Below the Root - Zilpha Snyder

 

     I knew almost nothing about this author or book when I saw this at a thrift store indoor market a few weekends back. I've seen enough books to know when something stands out, so I move it from pile A, over to pile B. 50 cents and I was on my way, with no internet to speak of, it was a small risk to take at that price. 

    Zilpha Keatley was an award winning children's author, but branched out a few times to write some Fantasy. She wrote 46 books in her life, and this one and the trilogy it's in, spawned a pretty good video game by the same name.  Unique for the time, the video game was written by her because she did not like how the first book ended, and has some negative reaction with fans. She used the video game as a sequel to the first book, and she considered it canon, and a correction to the plot device she created. Below the Root is considered a very uncommon book, and the other two books in the trilogy, even more so in any condition. That I have been collecting for 20+ years and have not come across one, is really something. 

     This particular copy sold right away, and the images are from that eBay post. The sale price for this book in "good" condition was $35 + $5 shipping. In perfect condition could go up to $50 for a first Tor printing. In hardcover, you can almost use your imagination as very few copies come up for sale. 

Happy hunting.