Sprig, I think I need to stick to what I've said. Last time, I held books for people, and it became a real pain. EVERYBODY wanted me to hold numbers for them, which meant I either had to:
A) Skip numbers, then remember which ones I skipped and get them later.
B) Sign my own books, then trade them for unsigned versions when I finally managed to meet up with the people I was holding them for. (This is what I did. Yes, Ookla, I've still got yours here somewhere! And one for Izzy too.)
This was far too complicated. Right now, I'm simply going to number books as they come to me. That's the only way I can think to do this. That means numbering the first fifty people who put books in my hands, no matter who they are.
Maybe some bookstores will put them on the shelves before the 22nd. Or, maybe my copies will come early. If they do, I'll go ahead and sell them for the price that they'll be sold at the Waldenbooks signing (then sign and number them) then replace them when I go to Waldenbooks.
However, if you want a numbered copy, chances are pretty good that you'll have to get one at the signing.