Ask any question about any book Part II

[satnrose]

Ask

[lahouser]

Thanks so much for the quick reply. I was looking for the worldcat link, but just couldn't find it, or remember what it was. It's now saved in my favourites.

I'm not even sure where I would throw a guess for the price. Would a $100 starting price be a reasonable one, or should I make a try for a higher price first?

[satnrose]

If it is bound in leather, mention that in the Item Title.

[mom4birds]

Thanks to all who contribute to this board, you provide much useful info and food for thought.

Although I have books from the previous three generations of my family, I'm starting selling with more modern books (while I learn what not to do).
I found and listed a gorgeous art book, picking a starting price a bit above the middle of the more realistic part of the price range I found on AddALL -- most of the copies listed there are used copies of a plainer printing -- this one is a fancy edition that must have spent the time since it was printed in a box or flat on a shelf. It clearly has not been handled much at all.

Where I think I'm shooting myself in the foot is my return policy.... What do you folks do about returns for pricey books? In this case, I expect/hope it will sell for over $100. which is a lot of money to me. (I don't expect it to go for much more than that.)
Do you assume anyone paying three figures for a book will be careful not to damage it before returning?
If a book came back with new damage, would you still refund the full amount?
Any damage to this book will lower its value by at least half -- is there anyway to protect oneself?

Thanks.

[satnrose]

Full refund upon the return of the book,
for any reason whatsoever.

But I do not say that in my auctions.



Ask them to package it carefully upon return.


If damaged, play it by ear.






You have to trust your customers.

This business would be hell if you couldn't.

[cibola07]

Not sure where to ask this question. Can't seem to find it in the "terminology..." thread. Please direct me to the proper thread if this one isn't appropriate!
If the professional bookman's ratings of books are AS NEW; FINE; VERY GOOD, etc. What is the difference between AS NEW and FINE and VERY GOOD ??
Thanks in advance!

[mom4birds]

Thank you, satnrose.

[jmgrobe]

cibola07:
Here is one set of definitions:
http://www.ioba.org/desc.html Jonathan Grobe

[mainant]

I have a question concerning a book that I have. However, it really isn't a book. It is "Thirty-Three Years among Our Wild Indians, by Colonel Richard Dodge and printed in 1883. But, the original book has about 600+ pages, and this one has about 100 pages. It is a hardcovered book that contains excerpts from the original book, plus many testimonies. In the back are several pages of of subscriber's names and addresses that are in their own hand. It starts with Chester Arthur, White House, and on it goes for many pages with mostly famous people. There are also a couple of pages of original signitures of local people who ordered the book. (Quite sure the first signitures are printed, but they sure look good). I think all of the steel engravings and colored lithographs that are in the first edition are in this "book". Also a leather portion of the spine and cover of a original book are pasted on the inside of the cover of this, probably to show the customer what it will look like. I sure hope all of this makes sense. My questions are what would you call this book (if it has a name), and is there any value to it. I have tried to do research on it, but just found the real book, but not this. Thank you very much for reading this.

[fine.books]

A "Salesman's Sample" or "Salesman's Dummy.

[annmad66]

Hi, I have come from UK books board in hope that someone can help.

I have a book and cannot work out title or author etc. Its old, dated 1737.

First page states : Bibliotheque de Campagnes, ou Amusemens de L'esprit et du Coeur. Tome Cinquieme.
A La Haye, Chez Jean Neaulme, MDCCXXXVII.

The first chapter in this volume is titled : Suite des Memoires du Comte de Grammont.

Any help appreciated. I only have schoolgirl French and the translation sites I tried are not much help.

Also any idea of value?

Thank you

[fine.books]

It's a compilation of historical narratives which include Philibert the Comte de Grammont, mentioned in the first chapter, whose Grandmother, Diane d'Andouins, was the famous mistress to King Henry IV, Neron, Princess of Montpensier, Anne of Brittany, Jacqueline of Bavaria, and others. There should also be two leaves with the poetry of Voltaire. It was edited by E. A. Philippe de Pretot, who is most frequently associated with the 1757 Atlas Universel. The proper title is Nouvaux Amusemens du Coeur et de l'Esprit.

Nothing has value until it's sold, but this is a rare book. Call Richard Caton at Bloomsbury; it's just their cuppa.

[annmad66]

Thanks for your answer.

[satnrose]

cibola07 :

Bad is not Good.
Good is not Very.
Fine is not less than.

[annmad66]

Who are Bloomsbury? ?:|

[satnrose]

Google Bloomsbury Auctions