Pre 1940 Books - suggestions

Hi All

As suggested on the previous thread Have created this thread along with the pictures and limited research that i have done on them. I still don't know how to go about disposing them off. But one thing at a time. First to figure if they are worth any money in the first place. I will be doing this in installments.

So here goes.
Book 1
Mein Kampf -
published December 1938
publisher Hurst & Blackett, Ltd.


Similar book can be found on the abebook link
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=16278999943&searchurl=pn%3Dhurst%2Band%2Bblackett%26sortby%3D1%26tn%3Dmein%2Bkampf%26kn%3Dhitler%26an%3Dhitler&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title12

Book 2
PGW - Weekend Wodehouse
Publisher - ??
Year 1940.

Cant find similar link with same publisher. Any leads helpful


Book 3.
Famous Paintings - Selected from worlds great galleries and reproduced in colour
G K Chesterton
Publisher - Casell and Company, Limited
This is a 2 volume set. I found a similar link however the publisher is different. Am sure it make a difference.

Similar link https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=18224501384&searchurl=tn%3Dfamous%2Bpaintings%2Bselected%2Bworld%2527s%2Bgreat%2Bgalleries%2Breproduced%2Bcolour%26sortby%3D1%26n%3D100121503&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title2

 

I would suggest trying ebay even though you will have low feedback as a beginner. If you have good books it will not matter. To help you price the books ...you can use http://used.addall.com/ and then check the sold items on ebay.
Book 1 is sought after with dust jacket...I would start at 35.00 mention "some foxing" the brown marks...
Book 2 Garden city seems to be the more common press selling for 35-40...but on addall your publishers version sells for 10. I would start at 25 on ebay
Book 3 I believe the high value you listed is because of the 3/4 leather binding. I believe Cassell did that in a maroon cloth in 1912. addall prices it at 95, but one is being offered at 35 on ebay...again there is foxing on the images I see and that will need to be noted along with any other condition issues. The worst thing is to sell a book and the have it returned because the condition did not match the description...you loose sale and pay postage both ways.
A few eBay tips
When packaging, place the book in a sheet protector....it always makes the book look shiny and first impressions help
I usually list so auctions close between 8-11 est on Sundays
I usually list a book for 7 days...and if it doesn't sell list it for 30 with a buy it now. sometimes I will relist for 2-3 months (dropping the price a little) and sure enough the book sells...

Good luck ...I have been selling books on ebay since 1997 and have found it to be a great hobby that makes some $.

 

Thank you Quincy.
Before listing i will have some more questions so that the listing is entirely clear.

All the books have brown spot marks across the pages. Is that what is foxing?

 

IMHO the last two have little/no value despite whatever listings you may find. The Wodehouse is a book club edition of a short story collection without dust jacket by a popular author. (This means there are lots out there in better editions and in better condition.) And there is no market for old art books such as Famous Paintings; the reproductive quality of the images isn't good enough for one thing. I'd immediately put those two in the "no" pile (which can be revisted when deciding on final disposal.) The Mein Kampf has condition issues but there might be a market for it. However, it isn't on eBay where the sale of Nazi items if (very rightly) prohibited. I'd put that in the "maybe" pile. The trick when dealing with boxes of old books is to keep moving, cull out those volumes of greatest value and put your efforts there. Once those are up (if selling on eBay is your intention) and earning money for you, you can start fiddling with things of lesser interest/value.

Debora

 

The Mein Kampf is the umpteenth impression of the library edition. Printed at the Mayflower press. It can also go into the "no" pile. IMO

 

"Foxing is an age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning on old paper documents such as books, postage stamps and certificates. The name may derive from the fox-like reddish-brown color of the stains, or the rust chemical ferric oxide which may be involved. Paper so affected is said to be "foxed"...."
- "High humidity and damp conditions are the main causes of foxing. Due to the metal in papermaking machines, iron in the water source, dirt or pollution, there may be traces of metal dispersed among the paper fibers. When the paper absorbs moisture, the metal traces begin to oxidize in those areas,"

 

In addition to foxing, water damage, missing pages and loose bindings are all considered serious condition issues.

Debora

 

Thanks very helpful and knowledgeable. I am slowly loosing hope and the piles of money in my mind are becoming smaller .

Do you mind if I still list out some more books on the thread for information?

 

This is missing Vol I. I am sure it’s in the boxes somewhere. Let me know if this is also in the No pile.
Gustave Flaubert. 10 volumes
Saw similar one on eBay for around us150. Of course not sold.
Again fixing issues are there in these books

 

No, no one reads Flaubert these days except for Mme. Bovary, of course, and likely better translations now available. Sets of this type are used by decorators to fill shelves but spines have condition issues and interiors appear to be foxed.

Debora

 

Madame Bovary is considered Flaubert's masterpiece. It is a scarce title, was translated by Karl Marx's daughter, she wrote a 16 page introduction, which is why it is a desirable edition. Published by the Vizetelly & Co. 1886, London. 384 pp. I've been offered over $2000. for my gem copy.
Your Madame Bovary is part of a collection of books of popular literary works. These kinds of books are usually sold as shelf filler books, often sold as by the yard books. They are more desirable if leather bound.

 

What Debora wrote.