The intriguing name of Lemony Snicket appeared on our shelves with the first of his dark, gothic children's novels back in 1999. Since then, Dan Handler (the real name behind the books) has completed his "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series and has also given us a range of other titles.
Lemony Snicket is more just than a pen name though; Snicket is the books' narrator and several later novels explore the back story behind his turbulent (but wholly fictional) life. A film adaptation in 2004 of Unfortunate Events has also helped the thirteen book series became more widely known.
Individual first editions of early books in the series, printed by Harper Collins, are available for less than $100; later books in the series being somewhat cheaper. Signed copies of the books are reasonably common; with Hadler often signing each book along with the salutation "With All Due Respect". Complete sets of the series are also widely available.
Other works by Snicket these are generally less well known. A first edition of Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography or The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming, can be found for under $50.
Snicket's books are still relatively modern and have yet to feature with any regularity in auctions. As an author who has created a splash in recent years, with his unconventional style and broad appeal, this may be the time to take a closer look at his novels.
Snicket, Lemony; Handler, Daniel. The Bad Beginning. HarperCollins, New York (1999). Price on rear panel U.S. $14.89; Full number line and stated first edition
Snicket, Lemony; Handler, Daniel. The Wide Window. HarperCollins, New York (2000). First Edition stated on copyright page and number sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10; Price $8.95 on back
Snicket, Lemony; Handler, Daniel. A Series of Unfortunate Events. The Bad Beginning; The Reptile Room; The Wide Window; The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator; The Vile Village; The Hostile Hospital; The Carnivorous Carnival; The Slippery Slope; The Grim Grotto; The Penultimate Peril; The End.. Egmont, London (2001). 13 Volumes; Illustrated throughout by Brett Helquist; First UK editions; The Bad Beginning; The Reptile Room; The Wide Window; The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator; The Vile Village; The Hostile Hospital; The Carnivorous Carnival; The Slippery Slope; The Grim Grotto; The Penultimate Peril; The End
Snicket, Lemony; Handler, Daniel. The Ersatz Elevator. HarperCollins, NY (2001).
Snicket, Lemony; Handler, Daniel. The Hostile Hospital. Harpercollins Childrens Books, Scranton (2001). First printing with the full number line beginning with the 1, original price on rear panel $9.95
Snicket, Lemony; Handler, Daniel. A Series of Unfortunate Events. Egmont (2003). First UK Edition; deluxe presentation edition with a signed bookplate by the author
Snicket, Lemony; Handler, Daniel. The Bad Beginning. Egmont, London (2003). Illustrated by Brett Helquist (illustrator); 1,000 copies