As the year of the Kindle and the Nook came to a close, one trend proved to be here for the long haul: “digitalization is increasing prices of rare and fine physical books.” In fact, 2011 proved to be a great year for rare book sellers as collectors bid prices higher and there is every indication to believe that this trend will continue during 2012.
While the general level of pricing increased in the majority of the categories we tracked throughout the past year, our Rare Book Sales Monitor (RBSM) recorded some interesting shifts in a number of genres during this final Quarter of 2011. Notably “Poetry and Literary Criticism”, and “Military, World History and Government,” have spiked upward during this final Quarter of the year. At the same time, strong performers such as the categories of “Modern first editions” and “Art/Photography/Architecture,” did finally reach a level of plateau as the year wound down.
From Baudelaire to Frost it was a time for poetry collectors to rejoice as it was a rich season for verse. A highlight of the group’s performance was Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” that sold for a record price of $230,500 USD. Unlike the collectors of art, photography or even some of the modern first editions, poetry as well as history and government are very slow to appreciate in value but have been holding steady. They are more likely to be described as items of a “slow but steady” market.
We have decided against making any changes to the RBSM category and author breakdown at this time since our analysis did not result in a significant shift to justify such an action as referenced in our 3rd Quarter write-up. That being said, the works of William Faulkner are still under pressure, as the prices failed to keep up with the general levels of increase observed in comparables.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
I have 24 books, all in good shape, all by Charles Dickens. Printer, PF Collier and Son. I have a second book “Lorna Doone” by RD Blackmore, gifted in 1903. “David Copperfield” as told by Charles Dickens, 1884 . “The Sea Wolfe” by Jack London.
Then another series, English Comedic Bumaine” Second Series.
“The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker” by Tobias George Smollett
“The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins
“Evelina” by France Burney
and “Castle Rackrent and the Absentee” by Maria Edgwirth
Still have others to go through.
Thank You
What is the Value of, Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
Published by William Clowes and sons, limited, London and Beccles . With 40 illustrations by phiz.
London : CHAPMAN & HALL. LD.
I have a copy of a 1953 withering heights just wondering if it worth keeping
I have a number of books all very old that I’ve just obtained. One of the very first Alice in wonderland, Pinocchio, Moby Dick, Little women, Tale of two cities. A number of books from Rome Italy. Books of poems. One being London and other poems. The list goes on and on. If anyone’s interested I love to speak to somebody about these books
thank you
Hi there, I have a copy of Great Expectations by Charles Dickinson it’s an original and wondering what is this amazing book worth?
I have 4 Charles Dickins. Our mutual friend. The uncommercial traveler. The mystery of edwin drood . hard times for these times and great expectations published 1871. Are any of these valuable?
I have two Charles sickens books. David Copperfield and Domby and son. No copyrights. Just says printed in great britain His full name on the covers. In handwriting at an angle..what do I have??.i also have elizabeth Barrett Browning , the works, copywrite 1884-1886
Have a 1916 Dickinson tale of 2 cities wondering how much it is worth
BOOKS I HAVE. PERMANENT CLASSICS, COLLINS LONDON AND GLASGOW. ALL PRINTED IN GREAT BRITIAN.
STORIES. OSCAR WILDE 1854-1900, INTRODUCTION, JOHN GUEST
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1888-1891, THIS EDITION 1952
THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS. JOHN BUNYAN 1628-1688,
INTRODUCTION, HUGH ROSS WILLIAMS
GENERAL EDITOR, J. B. FOREMAN
FIRST PUBLISHED PART ONE 1678, PART TWO 1684, THIS EDITION 1953
LORNA DOONE. R. D. BLACKMORE 1825-1900
INTRODUCTION, L. A. G. STRONG
GENERAL EDITOR, J. B. FOREMAN
FIRST PUBLISHED 1869, THIS EDITION 1952
69 SHORT STORIAS. O. HENRY, WILLIAM SIDNEY PORTER 1862-1910
INTRODUCTION, WOODROW WYATT
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1904, THIS EDITION 1954
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. JAMES FENIMORE COOPER 1789-1851
WITH AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1826, THIS EDITION 1953
WESTWARD HO!. CHARLES KINGSLEY 1819-1875
INTRODUCTION, L. A. G. STRONG
GENERAL EDITOR, J. B. FOREMAN
FIRST PUBLISHED 1855, THIS EDITION 1953
WUTHERING HEIGHTS. EMILY BRONTE 1818-1848 INTRODUCTION, BONAMY DOBREE
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1847, THIS EDITION 1953
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON 1850-1894
INTRODUCTION, JOHN KELMAN
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED, THIS EDITION 1953
THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP. CHARLES DICKENS 1812-1870
INTRODUCTION, R. BRIMLEY JOHNSON
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED, 1841, THIS EDITION 1953
THE GOLDEN TREASURY OF THE BEST SONGS AND LYRICAL POEMS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. FRANCIS TURNER PALGRAVE 1824-1897
SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY C. DAY LEWIS
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED, 1861, THIS EDITION 1954
RUBIAYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM. EDWARD FITZGERALD 1809-1883
EDITED BY GEORGE F. MAINE
INTRODUCTION LAURENCE HOUSMAN
THIS EDITION FIRST PUBLISHED 1953
TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. CHARLES AND MARY LAMB 1775-1834
INTRODUCTION, MARTIN ARMSTRONG
GENERAL EDITOR, J. B. FOREMAN
FIRST PUBLISHED 1807, THIS EDITION 1953
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME. VICTOR-MARIE HUGO 1802-1885
TRANSLATED BY J. CARROLL BACKWITH
INTRODUCTION M. L. M. YOUNG
GENERAL EDITOR G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1831, THIS EDITION 1953
THE WAY OF ALL FLESH. SAMEUL BUTLER 1835-1902
INTRODUCTION, A. C. WARD
GENERAL EDITOR G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1903, THIS EDITION 1953
THIS EDITION INCLUDES THE END OF CHAPTER 6 AS IT APPEARS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. THESE TWO PARAGRAPHS, WHICH DO NOT APPEAR IN THE FIRST EDITION OF THE NOVEL PUBLISHED IN 1903.
SILAS MARNER, THE LIFTED VEIL BROTHER JACOB POEMS. GEORGE ELIOT 1819-1880
INTRODUCTION, WINIFRED MULLEY
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1861, THIS EDITION 1953
SOUTH WITH SCOTT. ADMIRAL LORD MOUNTEVANS 1881
WITH FOUR TRACK-CHARTS OF THE MOVEMENTS OF THE “TERRA NOVA” AND THE MAIN SOUTHERN AND WESTERN JOURNEYS.
NEW AND REVISED EDITION 1948, THIS EDITION 1952
ROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS. JULES VERNE 1828-1905
INTRODUCTION, G. B. YOUNG
GENERAL EDITOR, G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1873, THIS EDITION 1956
GREAT EXPECTATIONS. CHARLES DICKENS 1812-1870
INTRODUCTION, KENNETH HAYENS
GENERAL EDITOR G. F. MAINE
FIRST PUBLISHED 1861, THIS EDITION 1953
THIS IS ALL THE BOOKS I HAVE IN MY COLLECTION AND I WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS WORTH SOMETHING. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
THANKS ALOT
AMANDA
HI, I HAVE THE BOOK GREAT EXPECTATIONS, OF CHARLES DICKENS, IT SAYS 1812-1870,
FIRST EDITION 1861 AND THIS EDITION 1953, AND I HAVE A COLLECTION OF 18 BOOKS IN THIS SET,
COLLINS LONDON AND GLASGOW, PERMANENT CLASSICS, DO THIS HAVE ANY VALUE AT ALL?
I’ve got a 20 volume Charles Dickens Books collection from my deceased brother in law. I can’t locate a date of publishing? They were printed in the USA by The Colonial Press Inc., Clinton, Mass. The first book is David Copperfield & it speaks of it being revised by the author in 1867 and 1868. The books are a lil over 7 inches with black and red bindings. The cover & back cover are grey with black. I can’t seem to find any other of his collections that look like this. Would appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you.
Hello
I have a Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Lord mayor treloars edition 1907. Published by Chapman and hall. No dustcover but in very good condition is there any value to this book
I have a cope of Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop published by Henry T Coates and Co.. There is no publication date and the edges of the pages are rough cut. Can you tell me anything about my book? The book is green with gold and red trim and lettering on the cover. Thank you.
I have been given The Authentic Edition of Charles Dickens – A Tale of Two Cities. Chapman & Hall Ltd. Printed by William Clowes & Sons Ltd, London & Beccles. illustrations printed by Vincent Broocks, Day & Sons Ltd. What sort of price would be attached to this? If any?
I have found 1 of Charles Dickens Works book (Great Expectations/Uncommercial Traveler) Published by D.W. McDevitt inscribed to Chauncy Hare Townsend what do I have here ? Can you provide some information ?
Hi I’ve acquired the pickwick club . Dickens. Volume 1 philadelphia. Wanamaker. 1886 the posthumous papers. Any help.
I have a single edition copy of Charles Dickens,The Postumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.I can not find any info.at all on it.There is no date printed but there is a previous owner with date.No illustrations,2 publishers-title page:a.l.burt publisher,New York-back of that page-the Mershon Company Press,Rahway,N.J.-808 pages.Where would be the most accurate place to get the history of such a book.What is the meaning behind 2 publishers?Thanx!!
I have a
Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend part two, illustrated, published by P.F. Collier and son in (I believe) 1865
India and the Awakening East by Eleanor Roosevelt, published by Harper & Brothers, New York 1953
the Light of Asia by Sir Edwin Arnold published by Rand, McNally & Company in Chicago 1890
Are any of these books of any value?
Thank you
Just to add to the above comment in total I have 25 of the Charles Dickens books all The London Edition.
1 – I have volumes 1 and 2 of Charles Dickens “Great Expectations”, The London Edition.
2 – I have volumes 1 and 2 of ” ” ” Barnaby Rudge”, The London Edition.
3 – ” ” volume 2 of Charles Dickens “The Old Curiosity Shop” The London Edition.
4 – I have Volume 2 of Charles Dickens “David Copperfield”, The London Edition.
5 – Volume 2 of Charles Dickens ” Dombey and Son”, The London Edition.
6 Volume 2 of Charles Dickens ” F.G. Kitton”, The London Edition.
Is there any value to these books?? Thank you for your time.
I have a Great Expectations published by The Book League of America. Does it have any value?
Thank you.
Would you have a value on Charles Dickens 1st edition of Bleak House. As well as McGuffy’s 3rd edition Eclectic reader dated 1879. Thank you!
I have oliver twist sketches by boz, 1901 thomas nelson and sons. I also have 1903 hard times and Christmas books by Dickens and 1901 little dorrit. All 3 published by Thomas nelson and sons. Any idea what these 3 are worth? Thank you
Thomas Nelson re-published the Dickens books which even though are quite scarce have little value.
Set of leather bound Charles Dickens’ books published 1867 — approx value?
Thank you
Hi there… I have had copy of 1886 Charles Dickens ‘Christmas Stories and Great Expectations’ published by John Wanamaker tucked away for some time and curious if of any value. On the binding it actually is printed ‘Christmas Stories and Grt Expectations’. Thank you
The John Wanamaker, Philadelphia reprints of Dickens works are not very common but are also not collectible.
Found a box of books in nans attic, one of them is a red hardback book, on the spine at the top is ‘great expectations’ by Charles dickens, at the bottom of the spine says ‘regent classics’
Inside it says ‘the Thames publishing co. London’
There is also writing saying ‘made and printed in Great Britain by purnell and sons, ltd. Paulton (Somerset) and London’
Hope this is all the information you need to let me know how old this book is and if it is of any value
Thankyou
Regent classic did not date a lot of their reprinted editions released during the 1960’s. Not much value.
I have a book published in 1872 by Charles Dickens: Barnaby Rudge and Edwin Drood. “Barnaby Rudge. Mystery of Edwin Drood” How much is this worth?
The D. Appleton edition is valued around $20.
Would like to know if there’s any value of a hardcover The Works Of Charles Dickens, Household Edition, Christmas Stories, published by Harper & Brothers, Franklin Square, New York 1876..
The original series was published in 1872, I believe. Individual volumes of the 1876 edition have been selling for less than $100 each.
If a worm, a book worm has left his holes in a book signed by Maurice Sendak, The Nutcraker, will it be of ANY VALUE?!
Thanks in advance.
PS. My website is underconstruction.
LOL – rare book for sure.
Is there any value; book by Rev. Francis E. Smiley, The Evangelization of a Great City, printed 1890, Sunshine, Philadelphia
Thanks
Very valuable. You should try to get it appraised.
I have a copy of Joseph and his Brethren given to my great-grandfather, inscribed with the date 1869..any value to it?
It could very well have some value if it is the Day & Son London 1865 publication, especially if the inscription is by Owen Jones.
can you tell me what a 1884 university edition of charles dickens edwin drood is worth by barnay rudge
How similar is your copy to this one currently on sale for $10.00 on Biblio.com?
Barnaby Rudge and the Mystery of Edwin drood Charles Dicken’s Complete Works
Dickens Charles $10.00 Biblio Terra Books Boston: Estes and Lauriat, 1884. Brown cloth covers, some wear to cloth, top edge gilt, decorated endpapers, gilt lettering on spine.. University Edition. Hard Cover. Good/No Jacket. Illus. by Cruikshank, Phiz, Barnard and Others.
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