August 7, 1993, marked renewed interest, higher prices, for works

On June 1, 1979, Janice Holt Giles died at the Taylor County Hospital. With her passing, we lost one of Kentucky's most prolific and best loved fictional writers. Ms. Giles was admired not only in Kentucky but throughout the United States. Janice spent many hours researching her novels and it showed in such books as The Believers in which she captured the true essence of the Shakers who lived in South Union, KY.

Janice Holt Giles authored 20 volumes, of which 12 are rather difficult to obtain. While many people loved reading about Miss Willie, Rebecca and Hannah Fowler, it was after the demise of Ms. Giles that people began to collect her books in earnest. Many of you will remember going to one of the local florists and seeing numerous copies of Wellspring collecting dust. My, how times have changed! Today, Wellspring is one of the rarer titles and seems to be on everyone's list.

There is a reason why Janice Holt Giles books are much higher in 1996 than in 1990. On August 7, 1993, the Jimmy Knifley Auction Co. held an auction in which an entire collection of Giles books were sold. At that auction the low price of $40 was paid for The Kinta Years and The Damned Engineers garnered the top price of $220.

A year before, probably neither book would have brought half that amount. The sudden increase in the price of Ms. Giles' books was the realization that many of those books are rare and that some people might not see the books again. Many Adair Countians know that when you own a Giles volume you own a piece of our heritage. After all, Janice Holt Giles lived in Adair County and wrote about our state for almost 30 years.

Prices fairly high

These days the prices of Janice Holt Giles' books are moderately high. It is common to see book club editions of Giles' books for as much as $30. This is ridiculous considering that book clubs print millions of copies!! The rarer titles can occasionally be bought from unknowing bookdealers for as little as $10!!

However, most of the rarer titles are in the $40-80 range.

Not long ago, a copy of The Plum Thicket was offered for $150!! Last year, a bookseller offered me a copy of The Damned Engineers for the princely sum of $150. I made him a counter offer of $65 which he quickly accepted. Let the buyer be aware!!

Anyone collecting Janice Holt Giles books should try to obtain the nicest copies they can afford. Don't hesitate to buy an ex libris copy if that's all you can find. You may be able to upgrade your book in the future. Also, if you are starting a Giles book collection, for goodness sakes read them. They are enjoyable reading and some of them might even be considered great Kentucky literature.

We have a wonderful legacy in Janice Holt Giles and she left us many entertaining books. Buy and read them and maybe you will understand how fortunate we were to have Ms. Janice Holt Giles in our county.