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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
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by michelle on
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IMO if everything else is in good order, but it has just been rebound I would still go for it. After all it has only been rebound in the 1950s , not rebound today! IMO, rebounding doesn't devalue the desirability too much; - what is worse is if the pages are so damaged that you can't read them. Ebay , I believe, is a better place to buy such items than auction houses where the prices can go sky high . If the book is really rare; - you will be lucky to find any copy in any condition ; especially going back to 1800S. I held back from once purchased something of similar age which had also been rebound a number of years ago ; - waiting for it to come up on the market in all 'original' condition. Needless to say I am still waiting years later.
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Permalink Reply by August on
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I agree! And it's a good reminder that sometimes opportunities that come up are worth snapping up. Appreciate your feedback!
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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on
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Yes, certainly, depending on the book. I have original presentation copies of the Shipbuilder and the Engineering for the construction of the Cunard Express Liner Mauritania and they have been bound/rebound in 1907 and about 1920 with gilt, marbled end papers etc. The first folio of Shakespeare is often rebound.
Eric
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I should have mentioned of course it must be done properly with correct archival materials and methods - my books from 1907...well, one has to make do with that vintage but it is leather and gilt and done well. Sometimes elements of the original binding can be retained and incorporated by a skilled restorer.
Eric
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this is a good point - and I'm not so sure i'm convinced the book i'm looking at is well rebound. plus as i look more, it seems newer than i thought. i'll upload an image as i'm curious what you think ... i agree with michelle in that it may be my only chance at the book - i could be waiting a loooong time ... but still ... it's not perfect! :) tell me what you think ...
- Attachments: No photo uploads here
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Permalink Reply by Nate on
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Doesn't look too bad to me. Assuming this copy is up for less than an originally bound copy and is rare then I think you'll be OK.
Some people would prefer battered or no external covers to a 'recently' bound copy (assuming the internal pages are relatively unaffected) as they then have a choice about binding or storing. But with very rare editions (a bit like very rare autographs) you sometimes just have to go for what you can get (for the very reason that Michelle pointed out).
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Hello,
Can you open the book and show what there is to see front and back, then turn a page and do the same? Is it properly sewn in etc? What has been replaced etc.? This book was published in 1894 - a rebind in 1945-1955 seems logical and that's what it looks like. I had hoped to find interior pics on eBay but no dice.
Online images of interior and original binding
Eric
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Hello again,
I saw this - thought you might like to as well. I was trying to establish a price for this book 9(nope) but there is some data here about what It might look like:
This is lot 103 from Anderson Gallery Early Americana Sale in March, 1920 - first appearance in this venue:
This is from 2 years later, a March 1922 auction catalog - Anderson Gallery NYC sale of remainder of Appleton Library:
Best wishes,
Eric
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