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Rare book prices

753C

753C

Active Member
Hello All,
Is anyone out there into collecting first editions and/or rare books? If so, could you steer me in the direction of a good price guide for these types of things. Online would be the best. I have searched and haven't come up with much.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
 
Have you found your way to abebooks.com yet?
Or are you speaking of truly rare editions/printings/bindings that might not appear in usual channels (e.g. the first Gutenberg Bible)?
I am no expert, so I merely ask from my limited experience.
 
Thanks Peder, I did find abebooks. From what I can tell they have prices for things that they have available to sell, but what I really need is a definitive price list for rare books. I searched for some of the ones that I have now and couldn't find listings on Abebooks, Bauman, etc.
It is more for my work than my personal use, although as a reader I am quite interested (and amazed) to see what some of these prominent 1st editions go for.
I appreciate the help and I will keep looking.
 
Hi 753C,
Thanks for your response. Since it is in your line of work I would assume that you already know more than I can contribute. However, I'll offer the following (and completely deplete what slim knowledge I have).

1. Recently I came across two books on the shelves at Borders and bought one of them:

Official Price Guide to Collecting Books - 6th Ed by Telford and Goudey.

It provides general advice and guidance for book collecting plus listings of selected prices for rare editions. So it doesn't have every book one might think of. But one can find, for example, that a first edition of Tony Morrison's Beloved (1987) goes for $300 - $500; or Beckett's Waiting for Godot (1954) for $1500 - $2000.

But no Gutenberg.

ps: It also includes a few links I haven't heard of, but which I can't find now that I look for them.

2. A used booskseller we visited recently suggested bookfinder.com as much more comprehensive than abebooks, but we haven't looked into it in detail. Bartleby also comes to mind, although I haven't used them for search.

3. There must be antiquarian news sources that report auction prices for the much rarer items, but I suppose you are already on their trail.

4. I'd appreciate hearing what sources you look to, since I am getting interested in the topic also.

Cheers and Good luck :flowers:
 
The collectibles market is new venture, so compiling sources is a top priority. I actually probably know less than you about these things Peder.
So far I have found Heritage Auctions to be a great resource for realized sale prices of books and manuscripts.
The problem comes in determining buy prices for these things. It is near impossible without a concrete "Price Guide". I have been searching for one with no luck.
With sports cards, you have the Beckett guides, with comics there are any number of price guides..... first edition books... not so much. :sad:

Thanks for your help, and if I find a good source I will pass it along!
 
I did just order the Tedford-Goudey guide you mentioned. It looks more comprehensive then most of the things I have seen available.
Thanks Peder.
 
Eva, 753C, Many thanks to you both. :flowers:

Re purchase prices, 753C, Taylor-Goudey has a few comments which, depending on one's hopes -- and whether buying or selling -- might moderate them or not. But every hint helps.

Re Book Prices Current, Eva, I haven't yet looked, but it sounds like the real answer. So, many thanks.

Sincerely
Peder
 
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