Atlas Classica Select Maps Ancient Geography 1824 Anthony Finley
Hello. I have Atlas Classica select maps of Ancient Geography both Sacred and Profane published by Philadelphia - Anthony Finley 1824. Looks like it’s first edition 1824 with excerpts from 1819. The binding is a mess. Original red half leather over marbled board. There are 10 maps. The Maps are beautiful and very colorful. The pages themselves seem in goodish condition (edges are brown some cracks) but center of the pages look good. I’ve seen online that people are selling the maps only. The idea of dismantling this book seems sacrilegious to me. Such an interesting book of history and gorgeous maps. Anyone with knowledge of this book and opinion on selling it as is or selling off the maps. I appreciate any opinions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
taylor_memorial
·1 year agoThe book is in fair to good antiquarian condition. I haven't checked the comps to see about value of the book but the rule of thumb is this: first, do no harm.
The casing can be repaired, conserved. The leather corners replaced with matching leather. the hinge rebuilt. All if the book is worth about twice as much more than the cost of having it done plus the value of the book as is. So it is now a $100 book and it costs $250 to restore it, then the book restored should be valued at a minimum of $600.
Only you know your financial situation well enough to know if you can afford to park that much money in a book for as long as it takes to sell the restored copy. If not, sell it whole, as is, and let the new buyer decided to break it or fix it.
an-57470
·1 year agoSacrilegious is an apt term in this instance I believe.
As you noted the edges are showing damage. The only protection they have from further damage is from leaving them in the book.
Others may disagree but if it were me I wouldn't remove them.