/r/rarebooks
Have a question about whether your book is rare? Find a cool story about a recently discovered masterpiece? Share and discuss!
NOTE: Due to the influx of "what's my book worth?" posts, please post all valuation requests in the stickied post. All individual valuation posts will be removed.
NOTE 2: This subreddit is for discussion of rare books only, not for advertising book listings. Any links to offsite listings, such as Amazon, eBay, etsy, or other, will result in the post being removed.
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/r/rarebooks
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Awesome early 1700s medical book— no clue what it might be worth
I recently picked up this book at an antique place. I love it and have no intention to sell it at this time, but I’m curious to know more about it and hear your thoughts on its possible value. It appears to be an original copy of a series of medical dissertations published in France around 1725. It’s in great condition considering its age. The pre-amble by the author, Antione Diedier (a French physician during that period), describes the book as a translated edition of the original dissertation published 20 years earlier in Latin with 9 or so additional chapters added reflecting on his own experiences and theories— specifically describing his use of mercury to treat veneral disease and smallpox, and his experience being enlisted by the King to provide medical assistance during plague outbreak in Marseilles.
I can only find PDF copies of it online, and what I believe may be documentation of a few original copies currently kept in medical libraries in Europe. I can’t find any record of prior sales.
If anyone has any insight or ideas on it, I’d love to hear them!
20:44 UTC
Just curious to know when this book was printed! Mark twain The Gilded age Harper and Brothers Edition, Published by PF Collier and Son Company. the latest copyright says ‘Copyright, 1915, by Clara Gabrilowitsch and Susan Lee Warner’ with previous copyrights listen in 1873, 1899, and 1901
23:04 UTC
Mickey Mouse No. 1
Went through some things with family during the holiday. Found this in a box with a lot of other old books (children’s books mainly) from 1870s-1960s.
I can’t seem to find anything online about this book other than like 1 recent sale for $600 in 2020.
Some minor damage on the front cover but doesn’t seem to seep into the pages. Thanks in advance!
20:44 UTC
Help Evaluating a Rare Book: "Guia Prático de Saúde" by Frederic Rossiter
I’ve come across a book that I believe might be quite rare: "Guia Prático de Saúde" (Practical Health Guide) by Frederic Rossiter. I haven’t been able to find any references to it online, in bookstores, or specialized platforms, so I’d really appreciate your help understanding more about it and, hopefully, estimating its value.
Questions:
- Has anyone heard of this book or the author before?
- What could be its estimated value for collectors?
- Any tips on where I could get a more detailed evaluation?
23:53 UTC
How to research if a book is stolen?
Please pardon my ignorance... Helping a friend clean out some of her late parents' belongings. She has a couple books that appear to be first editions but she suspects her dad may have stolen them (no specific info, he was just a shady dude). Is there a registry or something that can help research provenance?
18:13 UTC
Walker's pronouncing dictionary of the English language by b h smart sixth edition 1860
23:57 UTC
My copy of Dune - first printing first edition that my dad bought new in August 1965
17:42 UTC
Storing / Safekeeping suggestions
Hi, anyone have any suggestions around storage for rare or valuable books.
14:34 UTC
Upcoming: Philadelphia Rare Book and Print Fair (Dec 6-8) + Free Tickets
Good morning! As many of you may already know, the Fine Fairs team is hosting another fair in Philadelphia this year on the weekend of December 6-8th. If you did not already know, all of the details can be found here.
I will be exhibiting at the fair along with many, many other sellers. As part of the booth, I am able to distribute a handful of free tickets ($15 value) for the Saturday and Sunday sessions. I happen to have a few left and figured I would offer them up here in case any of you would like to attend. No requirement to say hi but it's always welcome. Click here to grab one of the free tickets. Note that you'll just get an order confirmation email but I'll have your name and get it on the list at the door.
Hope everyone has a great week!
14:10 UTC
Olaf Stapledon 1sts.
Recently unearthed these from a box in the garage with all the hundreds of other science fiction books I literally have no room for
15:09 UTC
Ophelia Wears Black
Trying to locate Ophelia Wears Black, hard copy.
23:08 UTC
1601 edition of Aristotle's Politics
A little while ago I looked through my grandpa's collection of book and found this, which is (I think!) the oldest in his collection.
I've done a bit of research/had Claude look at it and apparently it is an edition of Aristotle's Politics, in ancient Greek and with Petrus Ramus's Latin translation, printed by the Wechel press in 1601.
There are a few extra interesting things about it. It's been bound (maybe rebound?) with 'binding waste' from an even older latin dictionary/glossary, you can see definitions for words beginning with E and D. It also has annotations that I can't read, and someone has carefully cut out the word 'θεοπολιτεία' (theopolitia), which means "divine polity" or "the rule of God" apparently, from the title page. Would love to know why.
If you have any other info I'd be really interested to hear it! The page after the title page has some handwriting that I can't read, so if you can, let me know!
It seems to be in fairly decent condition considering how old it is, but could be better I suppose. The binding waste pages are definitely a lot worse than the main pages. If you have any suggestions on how to look after it that would be appreciated, I guess just keep it away from humidity?
Here is a full scan of the same print https://archive.org/details/aristotelispolit01aris/page/n1/mode/2up.
16:59 UTC
Avenues for finding out of print book
I want to find Hoda Barakat’s “Disciples of Passion” but the only copy is a couple hundred dollars on thrift books. What are the next steps in buying a hard to find book. Is there anything I can do to find a book that is not readily available online? I am in New York City if that helps.
15:57 UTC
Unusual Steinbeck 1st Edition - East Of Eden
Hoping someone can help me identify this copy of East Of Eden, says only Copyright 1952 by John Steinbeck, lime green boards, "bite" edition, blurbs on back. Haven't been able to find another like this. 2nd or 3rd printing?
15:53 UTC