Mime-Version: |
1.0 |
Sender: |
|
Subject: |
|
From: |
|
Date: |
Thu, 24 Jul 1997 10:48:45 -0400 |
Content-Type: |
text/plain; charset="us-ascii" |
Reply-To: |
|
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
At 06:19 AM 7/24/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Please excuse any duplication of this message.
>
>Has anyone had experience determining the value of books for insurance
>purposes? The City of Ottawa Archives has about 400 books ca. 1940 to
>1997 from all over the world which were given as gifts to the Mayor of
>Ottawa. Very few of the books have the original retail prices on the
>jackets and, of course, those prices would have been specific to the year
>published. As well, many of the books are inscribed by the donators -
>usually other Mayors or authors.
>
>Is there a quick and easy way of determining a book's value?
Not really. There are a wide variety of factors that come into
play. Generally -- very generally -- Value is related to scarcity in terms
of demand; first editons are more valuable than later editions, or printings
(except if there are illustrations by a collected illustrator; and in
general books, like cars are worth less once they "leave the show room."
I'd suggest assuming minimal value for the books unless you have a
book signed by someone whose autograph is collectible or a first edition of
a reasonable well-known author. There are exceptions to all of these
generalizations, but they will apply to the larger majority of titles.
William H. Mulligan, Jr. [[log in to unmask]]
Associate Professor of History
Director, Public History Programs
Forrest C. Pogue Public History Institute
Murray State University
Murray, KY 42071-0009
Phone:(502) 762-6571
Fax: (502) 762-6587
Home Phone:(502) 753-9033
|
|
|