Newbie with antique 1844 book

Hi everybody! I am new here and joined to find out the value of a book found after a basement flood.

While trying to clean up my father put a pair of books aside and said he was glad they were not damaged. The man that gave them to him told him there were only a few copies of it around, he said. I decided it was worth looking into and it looks like it could be worth some money but I'm not sure. We have the books: Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs and Condition of the North American Indians by Geo. Catlin. It says third edition, 1844. Both volumes 1 &2.

Am I deluded or is this worth looking into?

 

Always worth looking into. First Editions are the most desirable. Much depends on rarity and condition. Have you checked Abebooks website?

 

You can look here. Don't see a 3rd edition but you can take a closer look. Keep in mind that earlier editions more valuable than later although condition does matter.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=catlin&fe=on&sortby=1&tn=manners+customs+indians

Debora

 

You can also ask here in the Books Forum

This might help with pictures.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/making-a-post-and-uploading-pictures.16038/

BTW - Welcome to the Board

 

Thank you guys! I am checking out those websites. It seems like it is worth a little something after all! I can't wait to tell my dad.

 

This set is a desirable set even in third edition (Catlin was the first white man to depict Plains Indians in their native territory)...condition will determine price: Binding, foxing, all come into play...but assuming there are no issues it could be worth $600+. Dover has reprinted the book and these editions done in the 1970's go for about $5 each.

 

Welcome, Justbrowsing!

 

Greetings, justbrowsing!

 

WELCOME Justbrowsing !!! ... Joy.

 

Welcome! And as others have said, the books should be worth something.

 

greetings......tell dad to gift them to you....and you'll pass them on to your kids someday......with a story..

 

Thank you guys for the warm welcome! I've taken a while to answer because I've been buried under boxes! In the end the pipe was fixed but not before there could be some water damage. So rather than just clean that up I'm going through all their cardboard boxes and transferring (and organizing) it all to storage bins. Heck of a big project! I think I'll need to make a new thread or something because this is just scratching the surface but I found two great things today:
- Sinking of the Titanic: World's Greatest Sea Disaster (1912 publication)
- New York News Colorado Magazine, August 1966

 

Titanic book sells from $16-50 on ebay...from your second photo it looks like it has some binding issues...so assume on the lowest side of price range.

 

Welcome!