Jewels

On Sarah Whitfield's seventy-fifth birthday, memories take her back to New York  in the 1930s. To a marriage that ends after a year, leaving Sarah  shattered. A trip to Europe with her parents does little to  raise her spirits, until she meets William, Duke of Whitfield.  In time, despite her qualms, William insists on giving up his distant right to the British  throne to make Sarah his dutchess and his wife.

On their honeymoon, the newlyweds buy an old French chateau, but not long after,  the war begins. William joins the allied forces, leaving Sarah,  their first child, an infant, and their second child on the way,  in France. After the Nazi forces take over the chateau, Sarah  continues to survive the terror and deprivation of the Occupation,  unwavering in her belief that her missing-in-action husband is still  alive.

After the war, as a gesture of goodwill, the Whitfields start buying  jewels offered for sale by impoverished war survivors. With Sarah's style and  keen eye, the collection becomes the prestigious Whitfield's  jewelry store in Paris. Eventually, their jewelry business expands  to London and Rome, as their family grows. Phillip, their firstborn,  is stubborn and proud; Julian, their second son, is charming and  generous and warm; Isabelle is rebellious and willful; and Xavier,  unusual and untamed, is the final unexpected gift of their love. They  each find their own way, but will be drawn to the great house of gems their  parents built. In Jewels, Danielle Steel takes the reader through  five eventful decades that include war, passion, international intrigue,  and the strength of family through it all.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs