The Last Course by Claudia Fleming

[slc521]

I have basically searched all avenues to find a copy of this book that is affordable, but to no avail. Anybody have any suggestions?

[pikawicca]

FWIW,

I sent the OP my copy of this book. Never heard from her whether or not she ever used it.

[beauxgoris]

leorabakes - I'm interested to know: is your new copy (the authors re-issue) the same quality as an older edition? Also is it hardcover? Thank you.

[leorabakes]

FYI - you can call or email The North Fork and they will ship you a brand new signed copy for $40 for the book plus a shipping and handling. Mine just arrived. YAHOO! Now I just want those lovely people who are trying to sell it for $900 on Amazon to get a real life.

[BerkshireTsarina]

As of tonight, the price quoted on the North Fork website was $50.00 plus tax and shipping. Leora, somehow you got a bargain. I see that the co-author is Melissa Clark, whose columns I carefully skip in the NY Times because they seem so finicky and complicated. Is the cookbook like that? Or is Claudia Fleming more straightforward? Even $50.00 bucks seems high to me for a cookbook. I wonder, why do you who love it, love it?

[flourgirl]

edit: this was supposed to be in reply to leorabakes's post....

I frequent Amazon a lot, and I have bought a ton of second hand books from Amazon's Marketplace over the years. And it is pretty amazing how high some of the asking prices can get for out of print books that are really in demand. But when things get really outrageous, like someone trying to sell a copy of "The Last Course" for almost $900, (and I see a lot of this kind of thing in Amazon's second hand market) I just have to scratch my head and wonder what the point of such a listing is. I mean, would anyone pay anything close to that for a cookbook?!? Way back when I used to think listings like that were a mistake someone made as they were adding a lot of inventory to Amazon's Marketplace. But it happens so often now that it clearly isn't a mistake. I guess these people just keep hoping that someone with more money than brains will take the bait...

[Claudette]

flourgirl, I've wondered the same thing: I saw one of Emily Luchetti's old books on Amazon for $200, but bought it in a used book store for $19.

[srapostre]

i was just recommended this book and I to found it to be outragousely priced, but at random house website they have it on back order for $40.00 not including tax and shipping fees.

[Miss Needle]

Perhaps they've changed, but I tried the order the book from Random House a couple of months ago. The order went through, but got an Email several days later that they didn't have it in stock.

[winechik]

I was looking for the book forever and decided to give it a go at the the Random House website. I ordered the book in early March and didn't hear anything from them until the end of April when the book shipped. Somewhere, somehow they found one and managed to fill my order, so it might be worth a go for those of you who are still looking. Also, with S&H, it came out to about $47.

[Miss Needle]

Thanks, but I also received my backorder as well. I was so ecstatic!

[babette feasts]

Did you check the library? Library + kinko's = very affordable!

NYPL has 14 copies

http://leopac4.nypl.org/ipac20/ipac.j...

[slc521]

thanks for the the info....

[linz]

Wondering if you ever called North Fork...and what they said. I've been trying to get a copy of this cookbook for some time

[slc521]

They said that they didn't have any copies. I did try to email Claudia and write her - didn't get any response though. I guess I will just have to continue looking in every used book store I pass.

[linz]

Yeah, I know that drill. Good luck to you in your search.

[slc521]

Thank you. You too. The thing that surprises me is that for a book that is so popular, why stop printing it?

[emily]

Have you called Gramercy Tavern in NY? I was there last year and I believe I saw copies for sale. I know that Maury Rubin's tart book was available at City Bakery long after it went out of print. Worth a try.

[slc521]

I didn't think to call them.... But, I guess I could always stop by when I'm downtown... Thanks....

[emily]

I actually called since I was curious and the answer was no. My local Barnes & Noble had a copy that sat there for a long time, but when a book is no longer published I was told it gets recalled by the publisher. Too bad.

[flourgirl]

slc521 - There's a "very good" copy of this book available on Amazon for $100!

[itryalot]

What is it about this book that makes it so good and expensive? A dessert book?

[flourgirl]

I own a copy of this book and I love it and wouldn't consider selling it. That said, I also don't know why someone would pay $199.00 for it. I wouldn't have. (There is actually a first edition autographed copy of this book currently on sale on eBay for $875.00!!) I guess it's just supply and demand at work. And book collectors can be just as fanatical and obsessed in their pursuits as any other collector. I myself have spent months locating a reasonably priced copy of a particular out of print book that I wanted to add to my collection of cooking/baking/candymaking books.

I think it's worth remembering that the *asking* prices for this book are currently starting at $199.00, but that doesn't necessarily mean someone has *payed* $199.00.

If those books are listed long enough at those prices and no one bites, the prices will start to come down if the sellers really want to sell those books. (On the other hand, if people really are buying the books at those prices, than that's what it's worth, for whatever reason.)

Edit: I forgot to add that provenance has everything to do with the value of a collectible, whatever form that collectible may take. The book was written by a well known pastry chef of a well known restaurant in a rather well known city. If this exact same book had been written by Sadie Smith, pastry chef at the Grill and Chill, Podunk USA it probably wouldn't be commanding these same prices.

[Old Spice]

Just commented on this exact topic over on the Home Cooking board, where someone informed us that her book is out of print. Doesn't that qualify as a sin? Or, at least a crime? It is one of my all-time favorite cookbooks. Since it was published, it's been my first and almost only go-to resource for dessert nirvana. Everything I've made from it has been a standout. Just had dinner at the North Fork Table and Inn this weekend. Everything was good, but Fleming's signature composed desserts were the evening's highlights...from a group that usually skips the last course in restaurants.

[pitterpatter]

Claudia was the best pastry chef to ever grace Manhattan. Buy her book no matter how much that costs. It is so worth it. I've made dozens of her recipes and they are all splendid. I am so honored to be able to have access to these --

[slc521]

Pitter - I am willing to pay up to $100, but having just moved $200 is a little steep for me right now.

[pikawicca]

I don't know what you consider "affordable," but amazon has it for $11.99.

[slc521]

I think that you should check the Amazon site again... They have it listed at $199

[pikawicca]

That is a typo. Look further down.

[slc521]

Pik - On Amazon.com 12 copies are listed - they range in price from $199 to $600... I don't know which Amazon site you are looking at but here's the link... http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listin...

[pikawicca]

slc521, Sorry, my bad -- I thought the lower items were this book. I bought this a few years back and never made a thing from it, don't know why. I think I paid $35 for it. It's either gone to Goodwill, or it might be in the basement with other unused cookbooks. If I find it, you can have it. I'll look tomorrow.

[slc521]

Pik - Much appreciated... I really thought I was going crazy or dyslexic...lol.... Thank you for any help...

[pikawicca]

I found this yesterday. You may have it. Email me at [e-mail]. Apologies to 'hounds for the multiple posts. I just noticed that slc521 is a rare poster, and the best way of reaching her is on a thread that will pop up on her "MyChow."

[slc521]

pik-
I have been absent for a bit. I tried e-mailing you.

[Candy]

Then you will end up borrowing mine or Jills. i intebd to try that Spiced Quince Butter Cake in a few months. Our favorite pastry chef KT uses it quite a bit too.

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

No typo:

http://www3.addall.com/New/compare.cg...

[flourgirl]

Did you look at that closely? The lowest price of an available book is still $194.99.

[slc521]

It's astounding that the publisher has stopped printing the book. It's obviously a highly sought out book.

[berna]

You could go straight to the horses mouth and contact her at her B & B on long island , ny, called The North Fork and Table Inn which she owns with her chef/husband Gerry Hayden.

[slc521]

Great Idea - Thanks...

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

Just an idea, you could check to see if they plan to make a paperback version in the near future.