Antique books?

Question

Yesterday I was in a antique store. As I browse through bunches of books, I was shocked to see there's few books that was over 50 years old. I'm wondering if anyone know anything about following:

The Arabian Night
Published by "Modern Library"
It say "copyright 1932" It was reworded or something by Cerf bennette.

and

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom
by T.E. Lawrence
I'm not too sure of the publisher or publish year, but I believe it is published by Doran New York time or something. The year, I would have to say 1927.

The antqiue store is selling first one for $10 the second one for $22. both are in almost mint condition.

So... Is the antqiue store dumb enough to make a such mistake and assume those books are worthless or what? I recently got "The Arabian Night" with illustrator by Parrish Maxfield that cost me $100 and is said to be worth about 200 to 250.

Hope someone can help me out with this. Thank you.

OMG.... I found it, if it's this one, it's worth 25,000.

Answer 1

You can do a search on www.abebooks.com by addition, etc. and compare the price.

Answer 2

If you scored the $25,000 you are indeed fortunate, get that into a safe deposit box pronto.

I've got the 7 pillars of wisdom by TH Lawrence, and anything written by Bennet Cerf is likely a humorous take on the subject. He was a terrific humorous writer.

Both of those books are reasonably priced, due to the lack of readers buying books anymore. About 1/2 of San Diego's used book stores have closed up for good in the last 5 years, because they can't pay rent and compete with ABE Books.com and all the rest of the online with no overhead websites.

I hope you email me and let me know if you did indeed score that rare book, don't sell it without taking it to at least 6 different buyers and experts to verify the right price to get for it, so many scammers that will try to convince you it's worth less and that it's a 2nd printing etc. I've got about 1000 books myself, and am best friends with a used book store manager... . we've seen and heard lots of bad buyers taking advantage of those who don't do enough research before selling. Don't take the first offer.

Answer 3

In things such as antiques, as sure I am you are aware, price depends more on the "want" of the item. With books it also depends on if it were first edition or not. Only so many books are printed and relaesed at a time, a first edition would go for a far greater price than and third edition. Even if the third edition is in better shape, the first is worth more. Check out www.wikipedia.com there you will find the publisher and most other information you would want to know about the book. Plus it has links (when available) to other sites pertaining to your item of search.

Answer 4

Well something illustrated by Maxfield Parrish would be worth a substantial amount more than just a regular old edition. Yours is something special... Old copies of Parrish prints go for at least $60.00 each on their own, and that is just a copy!

Old books have to be in mint condition, Old is good but only if they are 1st editions and preferably with no writing or ownership stickers inside the cover. Publisher is also important. English first editions are more desirable in the States and US publishers are more valuable in Europe... Strange but true!

Sounds like you have yourself a nice little treasure! Don't sell it! Hang on to it because Parrish and Icart prints are worth so much now, and only going up each year! You'll have something really special in a few years...

I own a few original Parrish prints... I adore his work, they are etheral and very special pieces of art. Treasure them and make sure you keep the book in acid free conditions, in something that will protect it from too much or too little humidity. You don't want rot or drying of the pages!

Answer 5

previous books particularly if in finished instruments must be particularly uncommon. No harm in getting Chrities or Sotherby to take a glance. Who knows, in the event that they discover its particularly effective, you need to get them to auction off for you. basically acquire a yellow web site and make contact with them up and that they'll clarify what are the mandatory steps to take. stable luck.

Answer 6

try to find out on ebay.