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when a book is really rare is a rebound copy still valuable? - opinions sought :-)

Hi all,

I've got a question/scenario for book collectors specifically but also about collecting in general as it makes one think about what brings value to collectables ...

I'm curious what folks think about rare books that have been rebound. For instance, I'm looking for a book from 1894 that is very uncommon. Digging around the net shows a sale on ebay 6 years ago and a bookseller 3 years ago but nothing else. The book is 125 years old and many copies were lost in flooding in the early 20th century. Previously sold copies were badly damaged and their covers were usually detached.

But, I've found a copy that has been rebound ... the entire contents are quite pristine, but it's been re-covered in, probably, the 1950s.

So, does it still hold value? The 500+ pages are all original and cleaner than any copy i've seen, but, sadly, the original cover is gone.

Again, I'm just curious what professional collectors think about this ... when a book/item is rare how much is a damaged edition desirable?

August

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 7, 2016 at 2:56am

Hello,

That "9" before my parenthesis was just a typo. The link in blue up there should provide a good comparison for the interior of the one on offer to you. Ask for a few specific pages with illustrations or whatever. And of course, ask all you can about the rebinding. Seller said maybe - no maybe about it. Show him the actual cover. He says old and brittle. Hmm. Make use of the "make an offer" thing - says he will take less. How do you know he knows what it is worth more than you? Look at his other prices - $195, $395 and $595...says a lot to me.

Eric