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February 17, 2020

Rare Book Appraisal – a 1763 Vellum Deed on NYC

I am often asked as a rare book dealer to value old vellum or parchment deeds. These manuscripts were handwritten on durable material so they survive in abundance. Many are quite common and the subject matter can be a trifle dull. On the positive side, that means they can often be overlooked at flea markets, online, and at auctions and careful readings often make for exciting discoveries and reveal some to be important documents that yield interesting social, economic, and geographic insights. Below I will value a very interesting NYC deed dated shortly before the American Revolution.

If you have any deeds or old manuscripts, and want a free evaluation, don’t hesitate to contact my by text at 6464691851 or email webuyrarebooks@gmail.com

February 5, 2020

How much is my Bible worth?

One of the most common questions I get asked is “How much is my old Bible worth?” The Bible is the greatest bestseller of all time, and you can imagine how many copies have been preserved on account of their importance to families and their descendants. As a result, many English Bibles – even when old – often fetch quite modest sums. They become more expensive as they get back into the 17th century (but still remain relatively affordable). In this video, I will value an unusual 1649 King James Bible – printed in the year of the execution of Charles I – which still retains elements of the older Geneva editions. While it is not possible to make generalizations based on one specific example, I try to give some insights into what makes a particular edition or copy of the Bible more collectible than others.

January 25, 2020

TEN MAGICAL RARE BOOK WORDS

I made a short video about some of my favorite words in the Rare and Antique Book Glossary – illustrated by example.

January 18, 2020

Rare Book Appraisal – a 1508 Post Incunable “Unicorn” Bookbinding

I bought this lovely 1508 rather rare post incunable at the Brooklyn Antiquarian Book Fair for $300. It is a single volume from a 7 volume set – which normally is a fatal flaw in the antiquarian book world and something rare book dealers would not touch with a ten foot pole. Nevertheless, see why – after I studied the bookbinding – I value it at a considerably higher price.

January 9, 2020

How to value a unique 17th century English manuscript

Recently I purchased this fascinating c. 1650 English manuscript on the famous Philosopher’s Stone. 17th century English alchemy manuscripts are rare in commerce and valuing them with few rare book auction comparables can be a challenge. Below I made a short video of how I, as an antiquarian book dealer, go about evaluating a unique text. Hope you enjoy this brief video with mentions of Crusades, Imprisonment in the Tower, and how to turn lead into gold – as well as a few pointers on how to value antique books.