Old books

[Gate Keeper]

We are going through our collection of 50+ old books. None have ISDN and some are hundreds of years old. For example, one is signed by Heath Robinson and it is a limited edition, some others are beautifully embossed, some have hand drawn illustrations, whilst a few have been scribbled on in crayon by my wife when she was a child.

My question is to ask the members about valuation and who to approach for this?

Thanks for looking

Phil

[Harold Gough]

A starting point might be to see what others are asking for them, to the extent that any are on sale. Hay on Wye is the book capital of the UK.

Harold

[Gate Keeper]

A starting point might be to see what others are asking for them, to the extent that any are on sale. Hay on Wye is the book capital of the UK.

Harold

Thank you Harold for stepping up with your insight into the book world, much appreciated. We have now photographed, catalogued the collection and emailed it to antique book specialists for valuation.

[Gate Keeper]

In follow up, the online valuation did not work out. The valuation offered was between 40p and £3 per book.

We sent emails and photos to other dealers of rare books. Today an antiquarian book dealer from Hay on Wye was visiting, but he has just cancelled. He has come down with a heavy cold or Covid. He did sound rough, poor chap. We wish him well for a speedy recovery.

[Keith-369]

"40p and £3 per book".

That is why I have stuff in the house which I know is worth money but refuse to make dealers even richer. They really do seem to take the proverbial, don't they, Phil.

Is there anywhere online that could possibly give an idea on what your books are worth, like you can with coins etc.?

[Gate Keeper]

Hi Keith, I agree with everything you have said. Thank you for making those points. One of the books, a classic dated 1715 Robinson Crusoe, beautifully bound and in very good condition, possesses a certain smell which adds to its feeling of authenticity and history.

It was a disappointment to be offered by the online dealer £3 for it. I thought rip off!

We have made a new appointment for the antiquarian book collector who has a shop in Hay on Wye to visit. All we can hope for is an honest price and a good home for the books.

[Nutmeg47]

Henry Aldridge and Son located in Devizes are a major SW firm of auctioneers/valuers. If they cannot help you directly, I'm sure they would steer you to specialists in the subject.

[Keith-369]

Good thought, Peter.

I had just come back to mention to Phil that a good auctioneers would give a much more realistic value (and hopefully realise that price with a sale) when I saw your post.

[Gate Keeper]

Henry Aldridge and Son located in Devizes are a major SW firm of auctioneers/valuers. If they cannot help you directly, I'm sure they would steer you to specialists in the subject.

Thank you

I used their services for storage and the auctioning of my parents property contents and furniture after they passed away, so I know them fairly well.

Phil

[Phill D]

I was going to say try a reputable auction house. Sounds like you are sorted Phil. I'd say you have some interesting and potentially valuable books there, 40p is an insult! Good luck and definitely let us know how you get on.

[Gate Keeper]

Thanks Phil for your support and advice, will do.

[Gate Keeper]

Thanks Keith for your insight and suggestion, much appreciated.

[rchammer]

One of the books, a classic dated 1715 Robinson Crusoe, beautifully bound and in very good condition, possesses a certain smell which adds to its feeling of authenticity and history.

Is the date correct? Robinson Crusoe was first published in 1719

[Gate Keeper]

Is the date correct? Robinson Crusoe was first published in 1719

I am not sure why I wrote 1715, many thanks for the correction and for helping. We are in the process of moving and I am feeling like the headless chicken!

Phil

[Gate Keeper]

In follow up, the books realised a 4 figure amount and all of them were removed today by the dealer from Hay. A great result and everyone is happy.

[Keith-369]

Good to hear, Phil, sounds like you finally got a decent deal.

[MJ224]

Good news...

[Camera Gent]

Great, provided that you mean more than £99.99p

[Gate Keeper]

Many thanks Keith and Mark. Another bonus was a late birthday present from my wife, a 2022 MacBook 16GB 512GB SSD M2 in immaculate condition, a treat. She bought it from a local dealer we trust, with everything under warranty and in working order, fingers crossed. Currently researching photo editing.

[MJ224]

Nice. As an occasional MacBook user, I would value a course to teach me the ins and outs of the system. I must look one up....

[Gate Keeper]

Thank you Mark, I appreciate where you are coming from. I spent 2 days setting up the Mac and erasing the old one.

One problem I encountered with the former MacBook Pro, it was a 2009 model and running OS El Capitan.

Using the drive utility, I erased the drive twice but have been unable to reinstall El Capitan despite many attempts.

Whilst trying to erase another Apple device yesterday, Apple asked me for a password from the 2009 setup of the MBP. Frustrating is being polite, I found the password, then a verification code was sent to my phone, also completed. Proceeded to reinstall Mac OSX, then encountered a “Forbidden error” message from Apple.

Understanding Apples procedures and practices is something else.

Have a great one!