What is the most you would pay to buy a cherished children's book?

Question

Say you suddenly remembered a book from your childhood, decided you had to have it -- whether to read again yourself, give to your niece, or your own child -- but discovered that it was out of print and highly collectible. What is the most you would be willing to pay to buy one? Assume it's not at your public library.

Would it have to be in really good shape or wouldn't that matter too much to you? Would it matter to you if it was a retired library book?

Where would you look to find the book?

Answer 1

As an on-line bookseller, I would spend more time hunting for the book rather than purchasing, but if I wanted it...

I think I'd be open to the price. If the book meant that much to me, that is. Yes, condition would be important. If I'm going to pay big bucks I want the best one I can get and no, I wouldn't want a library book if I was paying top price. That should knock it from the collectible category. I haven't paid a lot for a book, but I did sell one for $162, part of a series and recently listed one for $375.

I would check bookfinder.com for pricing; you see booksellers all over the world and their offerings, but I'd buy from a reputable site. If I'm investing over $100 in a book, I want to know what I'm getting and have an option if I'm not happy with it once I get it. I also use www.fetchbooks.info and www.addall.com; I do most of my shopping (and selling) on Amazon.com and eBay.

I might also try a Want It Now post on eBay and other sites that give you this option. You can list the book you're looking for as well as the condition; sellers will respond if they have it (or anything close to it.)

I know I didn't actually list a dollar amount - that's because if it's a gift or for someone and I felt it was perfect, I'd pay crazy money (yes, a few hundred - I don't have a few thousand to drop on a book, however) I'd look up rare booksellers, too, and if I was in a major city, I'd visit some places, including used bookstores that might not realize what a find they have on their shelves.

Wow, I am sounding kind of snobby about the book, but I don't pick up library copies or book club editions (if I can help it) for selling. (I have purchased a few when it's the material I want rather than a specific book.) Still, if it's the story only, the condition wouldn't matter, but if the book was in bad shape, I couldn't justify big bucks (even as a gift.) As a true collectible, I'd want one that would fit the true collectible category. (For the most part, ex-library, book club, missing/torn dust jacket, would not.)

Answer 2

I would pay more for a better looking copy. But if all i could find was a book club or an ex-library edition I would still pick it up.
Honestly it all depends on how much value you place on books.
The most I've paid for a children's book is $80US. But that book was from 1910 and has never been reprinted.
I'd suggest going to bookfinder.com since this site checks other book sites for copies. Charles Dicken's books is a good rare book chain ( can two be a chain?) in the southern US. Or you can look up a copy of The Used Book Lover's Guide to ________. (Fill in your region.) The authors have driven to all of the stores listed and reviewed them. You will find a specialist there.
Good luck.

Answer 3

For "They Loved to Laugh" by Katherine Worth, or for "Remembered Island", author unknown, I'd pay quite a lot, if I could afford it.

For the old American Singer series of songbooks, red for one grade, then blue the next year, then red again, the same.

Anybody out there have any of the above? I've been looking for more than 40 years....

Answer 4

The most I'd pay would be $10.00. I would look in second hand book stores, flea markets, resale shops, etc..... I would buy a library edition and the book would have to be in fair shape.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

My dad bought me a cherished book that he used to read to me when I was a very little girl. He and my stepmom found it online at some used book place (half.com maybe?). They bought two copies, one for me and one for my brother. I think they spent $40 or $50 dollars each on them. It was a great suprise to open the box and have that book be in it. It was calle Mr. Tamarin's Trees.

Answer 7

there is such a book for me, but I have forgotten the name of it, so looking for it is not possible. If I did find it, I don't know what I would really pay, but I'd love to get it for under $50.

Answer 8

If i had the money and the book looked good i would pay as much as i had, I would look anywhere to buy it

Answer 9

ill pay from $10-$80

erm u can always check in ebay or go to flea markets

Answer 10

If its a book that i really must have, I'll pay what ever it cost