Quick Valuation of First Edition Books

AKA the ol' Back-of-the Envelope Calculation

Authenticity: This is the foundation, and where most collectors slip and fall. It is of paramount importance to verify the true origin of the book(s) in question. Things to look out for; willful misrepresentation and misidentification. Those are the two most common issue with authenticity.

Condition: Condition, Condition, Condition! You’ve heard of the old real estate adage... Location, Location, Location. The same holds true for book collecting. Condition is EVERYTHING!

Scarcity: The wildcard in your evaluation assessment. If a book(s) is scarce then the rule on condition can be relaxed somewhat.  

Provenance: Is a sweetener to an already verified True First Edition. It will add to the book’s collectibility and broaden the appeal to reach a more diverse group of collectors.

Price: Should always be the last thing to look at when evaluating a book(s). If all the other things checkout, the price will fall in-line. Never let price Influence your decision until you’ve gathered all the facts, and consulted with an expert. 

This is a personal guide to help in your book collecting journey. It’s not meant to replace the guidance of a trained and trusted Bookseller.

As always, if you have any question, email me.