Rare Book Appraiser

Does anyone know if there is anybody in the area who does appraisals on very old books?

Specifically Bibles?

Thanks

The Smithsonian will appraise it - but we have to get it to them.

Any details? Made of what? Woodpulp paper, or ragstock? Leather covered? Printing date, and edition? Printer, or company? Style of print, language, size, condition, etc? I may not be able to state a price, but I think I could tell you if it's worth checking further.

Ratzilla wrote:

Any details? Made of what? Woodpulp paper, or ragstock? Leather covered? Printing date, and edition? Printer, or company? Style of print, language, size, condition, etc? I may not be able to state a price, but I think I could tell you if it's worth checking further.

The ever multifaceted, Ratzilla.

Ratzilla wrote:

Any details? Made of what? Woodpulp paper, or ragstock? Leather covered? Printing date, and edition? Printer, or company? Style of print, language, size, condition, etc? I may not be able to state a price, but I think I could tell you if it's worth checking further.

1605 Breeches(Geneva) Bible, printed by Robert Barker in London in 1605, Gothic old English lettering , unsure of what type of paper, approximately 7" thick including psalms set to music in the back, wood covers with brass corners bound with leather. I'd say excellent condition given it's age.

nobodysbusiness wrote:

The Smithsonian will appraise it - but we have to get it to them.

What guarantee do we have that they would return it??

It's worth what ever some idiot is willing to pay for it. Bibles are a dime a dozen.

Antiques Roadshow Search the specialties in the box to the right. May get info from one of them. ???

Thanks SuzyQ!

Blackie Kuhn wrote:

It's worth what ever some idiot is willing to pay for it. Bibles are a dime a dozen.

Sorry, $23.94 a dozen was cheapest I could find...

LINK HERE

The only way we would do the Smithsonian thing is if we physically took it there and picked it up.

nitromaxx98 wrote:

1605 Breeches(Geneva) Bible, printed by Robert Barker in London in 1605, Gothic old English lettering , unsure of what type of paper, approximately 7" thick including psalms set to music in the back, wood covers with brass corners bound with leather. I'd say excellent condition given it's age.

First off I'd take a strong magnifier and look at the paper. If it looks like wood fibers it's a reprint since the mid 1800's. If it's printed on ragstock, you're still in the game. Then I'd check illustrations if any. For older time periods I'd expect engravings or woodcuts, not lithographs and certainly not any form of dot matrix print.

If I saw it in person I could tell you alot more, but right now I'm fighting a flu bug and it's doing damage. MFing cold weather BS anyways.

If it truly is a bible of that size and printed before 1800 it's worth some money, but I'm careful to give opinions on paper/printed items before I see them. Do you know the guy who runs the old Pratt Ranch museum? He's a good guy and no doubt has some links with individuals who could tell you alot about this.

Pretty much figure that anyone you talk to will need to see it themself to give an opinion. Old Bibles were reprinted by the millions and printed paper items in general are tricky. If you still have it after I get to feeling better I'd sure look at it for you.

I know it's been in the family a long time. I'll ask dad if he knows how long.

Thank ya Sir!

There may be birth records in it somewhere if you havn't already looked through it. It was common to keep birth, marriage, and death records in bibles. Some even had pages included for the purpose.

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

If you inherit a Gutenberg I'll give you my trash carts address.

Ratzilla wrote:

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

If you inherit a Gutenberg I'll give you my trash carts address.

I burned mine

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

I'll pass it down as my father did. What my son does with it will be up to him as the family name rests solely on his shoulders.

nitromaxx98 wrote:

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

I'll pass it down as my father did. What my son does with it will be up to him as the family name rests solely on his shoulders.

at least you know the name will continue

it will if he has children. If he does not, the family name is gone.

nitromaxx98 wrote:

nobodysbusiness wrote:

The Smithsonian will appraise it - but we have to get it to them.

What guarantee do we have that they would return it??

The current administration would probably make you pay a tax before returning it.

nobodysbusiness wrote:

it will if he has children. If he does not, the family name is gone.

Sounds like a movie....

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

I left mine on the bookshelf in the living room. Now he takes it to church with him. I guess his old one wore out.

I knew a girl that used to use bible pages to roll herself a big fat one.

slickjay12 wrote:

Ratzilla wrote:

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

If you inherit a Gutenberg I'll give you my trash carts address.

I burned mine

You burned your trash cart??

Bighead wrote:

slickjay12 wrote:

Ratzilla wrote:

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

If you inherit a Gutenberg I'll give you my trash carts address.

I burned mine

You burned your trash cart??

yes and the bible in it

Marfark wrote:

Bighead wrote:

My Dad got me a bible as a graduation present. I threw it away.

If I'm lucky enough to inherit the family bible, I'll do the same with it.

I left mine on the bookshelf in the living room. Now he takes it to church with him. I guess his old one wore out.

Does it still have your name on the cover? I think mine did.

SlumberGirl wrote:

I knew a girl that used to use bible pages to roll herself a big fat one.

I've done that a couple times. But they papers don't stick very well, and they taste funny. At least with those cheap little Gideon bibles.

Bighead wrote:

SlumberGirl wrote:

I knew a girl that used to use bible pages to roll herself a big fat one.

I've done that a couple times. But they papers don't stick very well, and they taste funny. At least with those cheap little Gideon bibles.

I figured you'd be more the type to wipe with them after a big fat one.

Bighead wrote:

Does it still have your name on the cover? I think mine did.

I don't remember. The faux-leather cover is pretty beat up now. I looked at it because I remembered the distinctive blue color, and it had my name written inside.