Featured Possibly antique books…

Hi

I have about 80 old books that I have inherited. Big range. Would people mind if I posted a few on here that I can’t find online?

For example a bound volume of various books, some authors’ copyright editions including Hunchback of Notre Dame, a the Miser’s Daughter, The Little Savage. Looks quite old (see photo).



And this lot on the bookshelf… don’t know where to start!!!

 

Have you searched for titles on bibliofind.com or abebooks.com? That will give you an idea of asking prices and scarcity. Important to keep in mind that condition matters.

Debora

 

I have searched for a few of them. Hard to find exactly the same edition. A couple of them are signed too so I don’t know how much of a difference that makes to value. Thanks for the advice about condition. I don’t think any of them have been kept in ideal conditions to be honest but, given their age, they’re not bad.

I’m guessing that if I can’t find them on any platform, they’re pretty scarce but I do appreciate scarcity doesn’t equate with demand!

 

Signed by the author? Or signed by previous owner? And what are you intending to do with them? Sell what you can and pass on the rest? At a quick glance and speaking generally, old biographies (e.g. Cronin's Napoleon) typically don't have a lot of value because standards of scholarship have changed. Your newer volumes (e.g. Gallico's Snow Goose) don't have dust jackets which effects value. Aunt Judy's Christmas Volumes could be worth something depending on year, completeness and condition. Ditto The Mikado if it's signed by Gilbert.

Debora

 

I use bookfinder.com to research since they pull from all other sites. I look for ones in the same shape as mine and then look at the price ranges. I usually go for a middle range when i list them. I can always go down.

 

Antique books would be 100 years old or older. Most of your appear to fall into the vintage category. The pageant of Nature might be a good one if in good shape. Still $15 or less.

 

I LOVE old books like these!!!!!!!!

 

Agree. There's something so comforting about old books.

Debora

 

I do sell a lot of old books. Most I think are going for the decorative appeal so ones with marbled backboards or nice gold designs on the spine and front.

 

Yes, shelf decor.

Debora

 

I use a special rare book collector's formula for my antique leather books and it gives them that great "Moroccan" leather look and keeps them from lightening up in color and eventually chipping. Regular petroleum jelly also works but you have to use both sparingly and watch out for it bleeding into the end-papers.

 

Hard NO to petroleum jelly, unless you hate your heirs.

https://www.bookthink.com/0071/71alt.htm

 

I never use it on my books. I heard it was OK and then also about the controversy but glad to know that it's a big no no. The problem is, some book dealers don't believe in using anything as kind of like they are the ultimate in wisdom on these matters, so I guess I stopped caring too much and went to the other extreme. Glad to know there is some science behind it. Using nothing lets the leather books turn to dust over time.

 

I use a little Fredelka Formula (aka Triple Crown) on mine that seem to need it, but the needs of dealers & collectors and the needs of librarians & conservators are different. And different leathers also have different needs, so it's complicated to generalize.

 

That's what I use. Before I used something I referred to as the British Museum formula, with neatsfoot oil and beeswax.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Museum_leather_dressing