Featured An unusual Beatrix Potter book

I dug this out of the 5/$1 box at the thrift. My phone battery was dead and I couldn't look it up but, of course, with that author's name I figured it was worth gambling my 20 cents. What a surprise when I was able to look it up at home! But unfortunately, I can't find any sold records and we all know that asking prices are often inflated. With this book's condition issues, might it still be worth a chicken dinner at a higher-end restaurant or just KFC?
(Pity it's not actually illustrated by BP.)
Editing to ask: Should I attempt to re-afix the spine covering? If so, how best to do that?

 

Don't do anything to it

http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/sister-anne/author/beatrix-potter/

 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

What a nice find!

Looking quickly at auction results by googling, results have been mixed...
https://www.google.com/search?q="sister+anne"+"beatrix+potter"+auction&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

I've been wondering whether I should have some older books of mine professionally restored. From what I can tell, it's a gamble. If a restored book sells, it will probably sell for significantly more than unrestored... but there's no guarantee it will sell.

I wouldn't try doing repairs yourself, though, without expert guidance. It could actually devalue the book if not done in an "accepted" fashion.

 

Asking prices do vary a lot, as do the few actual selling prices I've been able to find. But the condition of my book is concerning.
Thanks for the feedback

 

You're welcome.

 

Wow! But it is hammered indeed.

 

Since the book has been issued in typical (and very inexpensive) depression material, repairing it is only for experienced professionals. Oddly enough, it is less difficult to put back together an expensively bound volume. (Practical experience from one of my past lives...)

 

The cover on your copy is in significantly worse condition than the ones I saw in the first several links. There is no dust jacket, either. I don't think you can compare yours to those, although if you find one that sold in similar condition, that would be comparable. Are the pages in good shape overall? It looks like that title itself should have some value.

In case you do want to attempt a repair, here is are some guidelines. Looks like there are some cover repair instructions starting on page 42. http://library.alaska.gov/hist/hist_docs/conman/conman4.pdf

There is also this article about repairing split hinges and gutters:
http://www.bookthink.com/0073/73alt.htm

 

Sure this book had a DJ?

 

Sure the sellers often inflate prices, but when each one says the same thing I'd say it's worth more than you think. again, I'd urge you to go to a book dealer before you do anything else

 

Yes, I saw images of the dust jacket in one or two of the links posted above.

 

Well, depending on condition, those are typically half the value or more so...

 

Hi,
Dust jackets are very important. I had a book in mint condition from 1952. It had no dust jacket could not sell it at 50 bucks. Saw the same book on ebay in horrible condition for 8 bucks but it had a worn dj with some torn edging. I bought the book, tossed it and put the worn dj on my mint copy. It sold a week later for 80 dollars. Even a ratty dj is better than none.
greg

 

indeed if it's the correct version for that edition...

 

The pages are in very good shape, it's just the lower part of the cover and the spine covering that's poor. Thanks so much for the links!
I'm actually going to England for two weeks in August and, coincidentally, have been planning to visit the Lake District and Hill Top, Beatrix' former home now owned by the National Trust. Perhaps I'll see if they want it.

 

Based on my membership on museum boards, they won't want to pay you or won't pay you nearly what it might be worth on the open market. Unless you want to donate it. I'd still take it to a book dealer. There must be one near you.

 

I meant that I would donate it to them. Yes, there is an excellent used/antique bookseller near me in Detroit. John King books. Perhaps I'll check with them first so I would at least know how to declare the donation on my taxes.

 

Well, the National Trust kindly said that they already have several copies of this book in their collection so it does not fall into the category of "objects we are looking to acquire". I tried.

 

Well.....now when you go to sell it you can honestly state that.....
the National Trust kindly said that they have several copies of this book in their collection....................

WIN - WIN !!!