[guardiangod]

>I don't understand I don't understand paying a premium for a rare or old item that is easily replicated.

I once worked at the library of a university. Part of my job was to check the catalogue against the actual bookshelves to make sure the books are physically present.

So I got to social science section. In particular the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx.

Now this is an national university with >170 years of history. The spreadsheet in my hand showed that there should be 9 copies of the 1908 edition on the shelf.

I found none.

Every copy has been stolen. The irony of this is just too much. Communism supporters stealing from the general public to satisfy their personal desire of collection.

Aside. A regret I have was not checking out 'The Hitler Youth' at the same time. Although I suspect the university might have removed them from the shelves.

[the_lonely_road]

Why must they be communism supporters? I would like a copy for my collection and am an avid proponent of capitalism.

[guardiangod]

Fine. People would make the altruistic decision for the good of the greater public by not stealing from the general public (the university library).

[anigbrowl]

Extremely relevant: https://web.mit.edu/allanmc/www/benjamin.pdf

[lupire]

To each according to their needs == take the book if you need it.