What would you do it you found a book in your collection thats?

Question

Called:
A Theological Dictionary, containing definitions of all religious terms; a comprehensive view of every article in the system of divinity
It has frontis engraving showing the Procession of the Auto da Fe for the burning of heretics, preceding that four other engravings, two under the heading 'Persecution' showing the burning of Ridley, Latimer, Philpot and others, with the faces wiped off so strange, the spine of the book is fair and the jacket is poor but the pages have very little foxing.
what would you do?
Amazon list it for 450 OMG>..

I understand that every one has some good points, but I still can not get over the amazon price for it, the cases of books I bought over the summer 35 cases in all over 200 books in all, some falling apart and some with out spines all are in good to fair shape but just had to ask the question..

Answer 1

A book like that doesnt just show up in anybody's home collection so that is quite disturbing, not unless you have a very academic family (grandparents and great grandparents)

Check the book first for ownership labels, memorabilia, signatures , in case .you want to sell the book. That will be the first thing they will look at, proof of ownership.
After that tiny detail, check where the book is located, for the best location to best preserve it

As somebody else mentioned in his answer, $450 for a book is not a lot of money, and the sentimental value is a great deal more especially if your grandparents or whoever wrote little notes on the book. That makes it a family heirloom, priceless.

Answer 2

Okay, I looked it up. Its by Rev. Charles Buck right?

Amazon does not list it since it is out of print, a retail merchant is listing it through amazon. The price set is probably not the fair market value. Also book value depends a lot on the condition of pages, spine and cover. Also the printing edition affects the value. Ebay is a good tool to research the current market value. One in bad cover condition with some staining and tears is going for 14.95. An 1831 printing bound in full leather is at a buy it now price of $100.00 and has not yet sold. Another seller has a later printing (1835) in poor condition and priced it the same as the dealer on amazon. You nned to know what you are really looking at. Sometimes things as simple as the publisher can seriously affect the value. Research books on amazon, ebay and albris web sites. That will give you a feel. Honestly in the book world I would probably just hang onto your copy if it is in really mint condition just for a little mini investment. It will never be a goldmine, but why sell a piece of history ou own for the price of a new pair of nikes?

Answer 3

$450. is worth an 'OMG'?

Personally, I would keep such a book as a treasured collectors item.
$450 can buy you a nice stereo that will last for a few years before becoming obsolete, or 5 dinners for two at a really nice restaurant, or a round trip ticket to some nice place with lodging for a few days.

The book however, if properly taken care of, will last a few lifetimes.
Do the math.

Answer 4

If you aren't going to use it, I'd sell it. Someone else may be really interested in it. Besides, 450 is a nice chunk of change.

Answer 5

throw it out.