Rare Book Monthly Articles - April - 2019 Issue

What is the most frequently asked question in the used and rare book field?  What is my book worth?

What is the most frequently asked question in the used and rare book field? What is my book worth?

Everyone in the rare book business is asked everyday “what is my book worth?” and the question almost always gets a careful listen because once in a great while the book or books you have are very good.  But that said, the process is time consuming and rarely successful for the person providing perspective.   For people who have these questions there are a few straightforward ways to find out, without spending a dime or anyone’s time.  You should go to the listing sites; Biblio, Alibris, Abebooks or Rare Book Hub that provide listings of books for sale.  Or, if you are diligent, go to all...

An Amazing Find within the Pages of a 500-year-old Book

An Amazing Find within the Pages of a 500-year-old Book

There are two dreams we have when discovering an old book in the attic. One is that it is of great value; the other is that there is something of great value tucked away inside. The latter happened...

“Good Until Cancelled”: The Rant of a soon to be Ex-eBay Power Seller

“Good Until Cancelled”: The Rant of a soon to be Ex-eBay Power Seller

I am a soon to be ex-eBay Power seller. I joined eBay in the heady days of the late 1990s and for the next 20+ years I maintained a productive relationship and a 100% positive feedback rating. I’m ...

The Markets are Converging

The Markets are Converging

The structure of the old and rare book market is rapidly changing.  Within a generation what has long looked like parallel tracks that never converge, eBay and traditional auctions, are converging....

A Search Underway for Thousands of Books Looted Almost Four Centuries Ago

A Search Underway for Thousands of Books Looted Almost Four Centuries Ago

The theft of books is a centuries-old problem that has received increasing attention in recent years as tools for locating them have improved. Not just better scientific means of identifying copies...

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying

We recently received a request from a reader that is outside the normal scope of this site. It was to post a link to a guide offering advice on how to stay safe from cyberbullying. We will provide ...

Ongoing thru April 11: Impressive autograph material at One of a Kind Collectibles

Ongoing thru April 11: Impressive autograph material at One of a Kind Collectibles

As of the release of this month’s issue of Rare Book Monthly, One of a Kind Collectibles’ online auction of Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Books Photographs is already accepting bids and closes on ...

Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Prudence

Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Prudence

Imagine going back in time, and ending up at the Palace of Versailles in the 17th century! Welcome to this golden jungle, populated with fierce courtesans ready to devour you. How will you survive ...

The Statute of Limitations

The Statute of Limitations

Even 2,000 years later it’s not easy to be named Pilate and God help you if your first name is Pontius.  Names can become symbols, and when the association is dark, there is a price to pay.  In New...

J. Fernando Pena joins Christies and they are lucky for it

J. Fernando Pena joins Christies and they are lucky for it

Fernando Peña, whose DNA is said to include ink, is making his mark again. To academics across the United States and Grolier Club members in New York who for ten years (2001-2011) could expect to f...

Jail Time Assessed for Theft of Mormon Books and Photographs from Utah Library

Jail Time Assessed for Theft of Mormon Books and Photographs from Utah Library

Kevin Mark Ronald Schuwer has been sentenced to four months in jail for the theft of eight books and a photograph from the Brigham Young University Library. The prosecutor felt that Schuwer deserve...

Herding Cats

Herding Cats

Anymore it seems like every aspect of the rare paper category is in flux.  On line listings work but the responses are a little slower and the prices a bit more negotiable.  Printed catalogues are ...

12 New Catalogues Reviewed This Month

12 New Catalogues Reviewed This Month

For April we review 12 new catalogues. This month, the greatest concentration is in various types of Americana. David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books and the George S. MacManus Company both offer ...

Rare Book Monthly

  • High Bids Win
    Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines
    and Machine Manuals
    December 24 to January 9
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Ellis Smith Prints unsigned. 20” by 16”.
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: United typothetae of America presidents. Pictures of 37 UTA presidents 46th annual convention United typothetae of America Cincinnati 1932.
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec signed Paper Impressionism Art Prints. MayMilton 9 1/2” by 13” Reine de Joie 9 1/2” by 13”.
    High Bids Win
    Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines
    and Machine Manuals
    December 24 to January 9
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Aberle’ Ballet editions. 108th triumph, American season spring and summer 1944.
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Puss ‘n Boots. 1994 Charles Perrult All four are signed by Andreas Deja
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Specimen book of type faces. Job composition department, Philadelphia gazette publishing company .
    High Bids Win
    Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines
    and Machine Manuals
    December 24 to January 9
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: An exhibit of printed books, Bridwell library.
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur Court By Mark Twain 1889.
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 1963 Philadelphia Eagles official program.
    High Bids Win
    Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines
    and Machine Manuals
    December 24 to January 9
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 8 - Esquire the magazine for men 1954.
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: The American printer, July 1910.
    High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Leaves of grass 1855 by Walt Whitman.
  • Sotheby's
    Fine Books, Manuscripts & More
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: William Shakespeare.
    The Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare, 1960. 7,210 USD
    Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens.
    A Christmas Carol, First Edition, 1843. 17,500 USD
    Sotheby’s: William Golding.
    Lord of the Flies, First Edition, 1954. 5,400 USD
    Sotheby's
    Fine Books, Manuscripts & More
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: Lewis Carroll.
    Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, Inscribed First Edition, 1872. 25,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: J.R.R. Tolkien.
    The Hobbit, First Edition, 1937. 12,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: John Milton.
    Paradise Lost, 1759. 5,400 USD

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