Valuing this rare book?
June 13, 2010 11:50 PM Subscribe
Help me determine whether this rare book is worth the asking price?
Hi, hivemind!
A friend-of-a-friend is interested in buying a first edition of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory as a gift and we'd love it if you could help us work out whether the one she's found is worth the asking price.
Here is what she knows about it:
'OK, what I know so far about the book - It is a "Junior Deluxe Edition" - it is selling for $85US and I just want to know am I better off not buying this one, and buying perhaps a second or third print of the first edition from 1964 {no way I can afford a first print!} instead?
I am not interested in trying to make money off it or anything, I just know Alexander would truly appreciate the sentiment of it being from the original print year, and he will treasure it - BUT, I also don't want to spend more than its worth!'
The pictures from the listing are here and here.
She's a little wary of questioning the seller on other details, lest the seller research further and decide to put up the price. Is this information enough to tell us if it's a decent price?
Failing that, two related questions:
- What information would we need to know to reasonably value this book?
- And, can you recommend any reputable places online to have books valued?
Thank you!
Hi, hivemind!
A friend-of-a-friend is interested in buying a first edition of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory as a gift and we'd love it if you could help us work out whether the one she's found is worth the asking price.
Here is what she knows about it:
'OK, what I know so far about the book - It is a "Junior Deluxe Edition" - it is selling for $85US and I just want to know am I better off not buying this one, and buying perhaps a second or third print of the first edition from 1964 {no way I can afford a first print!} instead?
I am not interested in trying to make money off it or anything, I just know Alexander would truly appreciate the sentiment of it being from the original print year, and he will treasure it - BUT, I also don't want to spend more than its worth!'
The pictures from the listing are here and here.
She's a little wary of questioning the seller on other details, lest the seller research further and decide to put up the price. Is this information enough to tell us if it's a decent price?
Failing that, two related questions:
- What information would we need to know to reasonably value this book?
- And, can you recommend any reputable places online to have books valued?
Thank you!
Best answer: Way overpriced. The same book is being offered for $7.50 and $13 at AbeBooks here, $11 here and a mint copy listed for $21.99 here. Maybe it's an unusual title in the Junior Deluxe Editions series, but I've never thought of that series as anything but cheap reprints. I manage a used book and music store and we routinely sell Junior Deluxe books for under $5.
posted by mediareport at 12:18 AM on June 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by mediareport at 12:18 AM on June 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yeah, and Amazon's got a bunch under $20, including a "like new" copy for $18. They're not that rare, and the price your friend is being asked to pay is clearly not a fair one.
posted by mediareport at 12:27 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by mediareport at 12:27 AM on June 14, 2010
Another oop, some of the books Amazon turns up look like they're not the same edition. But there are plenty of cheaper ones out there.
posted by mediareport at 7:55 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by mediareport at 7:55 AM on June 14, 2010
Commenting as someone who both works in a used bookstore AND collects firsts (nope, I don't have a problem at ALL):
Going by what the others say, this IS overpriced. I would say go with a second printing, especially since it is for nostalgia.
But also, don't EVER hesitate to email a seller and ask for more information. If they are unwilling to give it to you (INCLUDING whatever pictures you desire) they are sketchy.
If they look at the book and then say OH! I need to charge you more? They are completely unethical, to boot.
I hope you find what you're looking for!
posted by bibliogrrl at 8:41 AM on June 14, 2010
Going by what the others say, this IS overpriced. I would say go with a second printing, especially since it is for nostalgia.
But also, don't EVER hesitate to email a seller and ask for more information. If they are unwilling to give it to you (INCLUDING whatever pictures you desire) they are sketchy.
If they look at the book and then say OH! I need to charge you more? They are completely unethical, to boot.
I hope you find what you're looking for!
posted by bibliogrrl at 8:41 AM on June 14, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by devnull at 12:17 AM on June 14, 2010