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Discover Mid-America - January 2005

Old book values can suprise you

Illuminated Manuscript. c. 1480 (photo courtesy of Skinner Auctions. Boston, MA)

Before you sell your old books at a garage sale or call in a book dealer to carry the lot away for a nominal price, here are some facts to consider.

Regardless of age, condition is all-important. And a 20th century book can be worth as much or more than a three-hundred-year-old book. What you don’t know about old and new books can cost you.

There are still rare and valuable books waiting to be discovered. Consider that back in 1974, a book that was almost thrown into the trash brought $123,000 at auction. It was Tamerlane; the first book ever written by Edgar Allan Poe and it had a record sale that year.

In checking out the Nov. 19, 20, 21 Fine Books & Manuscripts auction held by Skinner Auctions in Boston, MA, I noticed some interesting facts. An autographed first edition of Profiles In Courage by President John F. Kennedy was estimated at $4,000-$6,000. A first edition of A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway was estimated at $1,000-$1,500. Contrast those estimates with an illuminated manuscript leaf, c.1480, estimated at $1,000-$1,500 or a first edition of two volumes of Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Life Or, Life Among The Lowly by Harriet Beecher Stowe, c. 1852, estimated at $300-$500.

CLUES

Clearly, popularity of the author or subject, i.e. JFK can make a difference. Obviously, age alone doesn’t count unless the book is rare and desirable (interesting). For example, dozens of 15th century religious books can still be picked up for under a hundred dollars. The c.1480 illuminated manuscript leaf is an example, since they turn up fairly often at auctions. Illustrated books by famous illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and Jessie Wilcox can push up prices. Finely decorated bookbindings and illustrated covers add value.

Condition is one of the most important considerations in books published since 1900. Such books should have their dust jackets and be in mint condition. Always check 19th and 20th century books to be sure they are first editions. Look for 20th century books by popular “name” authors, such as Faulkner and Hemingway, in their original dust jackets.

If you inherit a collection of books, call in a book appraiser before selling. It’s an approach well worth the money, unless you are a knowledgeable collector.

You can do your own research of values using one of the many new “Price Guides” or go to the library and research with American Book Prices Current, which lists current auction records. And, you can always check out Ebay for what sellers are asking. Make sure book covers are intact and pages aren’t soiled.

A spin off of book collecting is pamphlets. Consider the collector who found a 1920 pamphlet with a newspaper story on Christmas, republished in 1970. The author: Ernest Hemingway. It is titled “Will You Let These Kiddies Miss Santa Claus?” The collector sold it for several hundred dollars.

Familiarize yourself with 19th century reference books on medical and scientific developments. Long out of date, many have been trashed. Those that remain are rarities and can sell to collectors in those categories for several hundred dollars.

Book fairs, garage sales and auctions are good sources for discoveries. Collect by subject, author or both. Research is a must to learn what books that were published by that author, especially unfamiliar titles.

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