What Rubbish is Worth: Results of an April, 2012 ABEBooks.com Query--Highest Price to Lowest

        In 2004, when I first discovered Mary Douglas' TLS letter about Michael Thompson's 1979 book, Rubbish Theory, Amazon.com listed the book as available "Used" for prices starting at $199.99.  I remarked at the time that this was good evidence of the theory's predictive power because, when new, the book sold for less than $100.  It had passed through the "attic" and "worthless" stages, and was on its way to "treasured antique" status.  The process is not completely reliable, however.  Speculators who invested in a $199.99 copy of the book in 2004 might have lost money.  In 2012, "Used" copies on Amazon.com were priced as low as $68, and even "Collectible" copies were priced at $158.  On ABEBooks.com, however, the discourse of rubbish was valued on the high side by sellers, who offered Thompson artifacts for between $105 and $248.  

1.
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Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value

Thompson, Michael
Bookseller: Pegasaurus Books
(Arundel, UK, United Kingdom)
Bookseller Rating: 5-star rating
Quantity Available: 1
ISBN: 0192176587 / 0-19-217658-7

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Price: US$ 248.28
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Shipping: US$ 13.46
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Book Description: Book Condition: Used: Good. Ex-Library, All Books are despatched the same working day from UK. Securely & carefully packed. Great customer service. Bookseller Inventory # F30-3

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2.

Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value

M. Thompson
Bookseller: Better World Books Ltd
(Dunfermline, FIF, United Kingdom)
Bookseller Rating: 5-star rating
Quantity Available: 1
ISBN: 9780192176585

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Price: US$ 239.56
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Shipping: US$ 10.67
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Book Description: Oxford University Press, USA, 1979. Book Condition: Fair. 1St Edition. N/A. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Bookseller Inventory # GRP30969750

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3.

Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value

Thompson, M.
Bookseller: Crashing Rocks Books
(Punta Gorda, FL, U.S.A.)
Bookseller Rating: 5-star rating
Quantity Available: 1
ISBN: 0192176587 / 0-19-217658-7

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Price: US$ 194.75
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Book Description: Oxford University Press, USA. Hardcover. Book Condition: Good. 0192176587 Used, in good condition. Book only. May have interior marginalia or previous owner's name. Bookseller Inventory # 0192176587

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4.

Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value

Michael Thompson
Bookseller: WorldofBooks
(Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom)
Bookseller Rating: 4-star rating
Quantity Available: 1
ISBN: 0192176587 / 0-19-217658-7

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Price: US$ 120.32
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Shipping: US$ 7.74
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Book Description: Paperback. Book Condition: Very Good. This book is in stock and will ship within 24 hours from our warehouse in the UK. Bookseller Inventory # GOR003591687

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5.

Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value

Thompson, Michael
Bookseller: PCAV
(Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.)
Bookseller Rating: 5-star rating
Quantity Available: 2
ISBN: 0192176587 / 0-19-217658-7

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Price: US$ 115.00
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Book Description: Oxford Univ Pr, Cary, North Carolina, U.S.A., 1979. Hardcover. Book Condition: Very Good. Terrific copy!. Bookseller Inventory # 002300

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6.

Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value

Thompson, Michael;Cohen, Lawrence J. Ph.D.;Grace, Catherine O'Neill
Bookseller: Charles E. Peck
(Bradenton, FL, U.S.A.)
Bookseller Rating: 5-star rating
Quantity Available: 1
ISBN: 0192176587 / 0-19-217658-7

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Price: US$ 114.85
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Shipping: US$ 3.95
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Book Description: Oxford Univ Pres, Cary, North Carolina, U.S.A., 1979. Gray Cloth. Book Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good Price Intact £. Edition or Printing Not Stated. 8 3/4 X 5 3/4. Former owners name on front inner board. Pages are tight, bright & clean. Binding firm and straight, sewn signatures. No apparent reading wear. Boards, spine, edges and corners very good+. If needed for reference, research, analysis, lucubration & dissertation or just enjoyment, this is the one. 228 pages, footnotes. Jacket in a crystal-clear polyester protector sleeve. B/W figures illustrate. Bookseller Inventory # 027527

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7.

Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value

M. Thompson
Bookseller: Lost Books
(Little Elm, TX, U.S.A.)
Bookseller Rating: 4-star rating
Quantity Available: 1
ISBN: 0192176587 / 0-19-217658-7

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Price: US$ 105.88
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Book Description: Oxford University Press, USA 1979-09-13, 1979. Hardcover. Book Condition: good. 1St Edition. 0192176587. Bookseller Inventory # 624179