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I want to value and sell this book "The works of Aristotle. The famous philosopher containing his comnplete masterpiece and family physician his experienced midwife his book of problems and his remarks on physognomy complete edition, with engravings LONDON 1779 JOHN SMITH 79, HIGH HOLBORN2

2006-11-02 03:54:31 · 49 answers · asked by catherine e 1 in Arts & Humanities Books & Authors

49 answers

Take it to a rare book auction dealer.

2006-11-02 03:56:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2 2

I would like to second the answers that advised you to just sell your books on Ebay. Unless the books you have are extremely rare and sought-after (first editions of classics, old illustrated books etc. and in excellent condition), an antiquarian will not give you much for them. They themselves want the best possible profits for themselves, that’s how the business works. Even with the percentage that Ebay takes, you are still more likely to get more money through there than by taking them to an antiquarian.

2016-05-23 17:12:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I am not sure your book is that rare. There are a couple of copies being offered for sale on abebooks at the time of this answer. It appears the sale price may be around £180 if the book was really published in 1779 (it appears there were reprints) and it is in good condition. Of course, a bookseller would offer you less.

It isn't worth paying Christies' commission! On the other hand I agree with other respondents that you would be unwise to use ebay.

You should take your book to a couple of reputable dealers in antiquarian books to ask how much they would buy it for. If you look up http://www.abebooks.com you will find a list, accessible by geographical location, of booksellers using this software. For some reason, it is easier to access the bookseller list in the US version of abebooks than the UK one. Not all the booksellers listed will buy individual books; but it should be obvious which entries relate to established shops near you. Alternatively, simply look up in your local Yellow Pages!

2006-11-02 04:35:26 · answer #3 · answered by Philosophical Fred 4 · 9 0

Sorry to put a damper on your query but just because your book was printed in the 18th century does'nt make it rare or valuable. Aristotle was living a few hundred years before this was printed, if it was a hand written manuscript you'd be selling for thousands. As it happens your book is worth a little over £100, my advice would be to hang on to it for awhile. It can only increase in value.

2006-11-02 05:32:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5 0

I would take it to the British library and ask the curator for an opinion of it's value and then you should get free valuations at auctioneers - like Sotheby's and Christies. Make sure you put a reserve on it. If I have won the Lottery tonight I may bid on it!

2006-11-04 09:23:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mike10613 6 · 0 0

It is one of those counter-intuitive things about books that just because they are old doesn't mean they are valuable. This will go for about 150 pounds if your lucky. There is a section on ebay for antiquarian books and I've always found that I make a good price for books on ebay which I use quite regularly, you can set a reserve of say 100 pounds and see how you do, if you generate interest from more than one buyer you might exceed expectations. If you do have a go let us know.

2006-11-03 04:26:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

Christie's in South Kensington have a book department. Either take your books in for a free valuation or send in photo's to Christie's, 85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD. Also visit the website and they also have details www.christies.com.

2006-11-04 22:05:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I sold my rare book on e bay but it's the luck of the draw unfortunately , I did very well with mine.
My ex bought it from a charity shop for 40p read it gave it to my son , he threw it in a toybox for a year or two , then noticed it was signed and unabridged ( artemis fowl ). It sold for over £50 and it was really tatty.

2006-11-05 17:41:41 · answer #8 · answered by snoopyfanno1 2 · 0 0

Insure & take to the experts don`t listen to people who may offer you a couple of hundred try the British Museum first they er like a good book.

2006-11-05 00:41:19 · answer #9 · answered by edison 5 · 0 0

hey,
Waz^? Well I got ya an answer. You need to take it to a action. Ofcourse you then need to ask how much it is worth, or you could try and sell it on ebay. Ofcourse you would have to have it taken to an appraiser. Have fun selling it and don't take less than $700 for it.
-annai

2006-11-06 01:44:02 · answer #10 · answered by anna i 1 · 0 0

I think that you should give it a Rare Catchphrase but make it a bit misteriously eye catching.
I'm just saying but I haven't got one
It could be worth a lot if it is as rare as it seems to be Gold dust or somethingg.

2006-11-05 03:04:08 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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