Rare Book Monthly
Articles - December - 2006 Issue
Top Values of Signed Books on eBay
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Another president appearing in the listings was a rare signature by President Rutherford B. Hayes in the book "Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress" dated 1880 which went for $1,636.
Harry Potter books continue to appear in the top listings of sold books and are the most common keywords searched on eBay in the books category. Three Harry Potter first edition books signed by J. K. Rowling sold in price from $1,609 to $1,913.
Stephen King had several high bids for his signed, limited edition books, ranging in price from $999 to $1,175. Four typed letters signed by Hunter Thompson and offered by PBA Galleries of San Francisco brought $1,600. A signed first edition of "All The King's Men" by Robert Warren was bid to $1,636. A signed first edition of Paul McCartney's book, "Blackbird Singing" sold for $1,555. Rounding out the list was none other than Albert Einstein, where a rare typed letter signed by Einstein was offered by Doyle Auctioneers of New York, and was bid to $1,500.
In considering purchasing a signed book to add to one's collection, a potential buyer needs to do their research carefully. Try to make sure that the signature is authentic, that it has a certificate of authority (COA) or that it can be compared against other signatures online for accuracy. Does the offering include a photograph of the book being signed? Some author signatures will vary over the years, with their signature tending to become less pronounced after so many years of book signings. If a sizable amount of money is involved, consult with a signature expert. Besides researching on eBay, also reference Americana Exchange and other book sites so that you can get a sense of what true values are and what you will likely pay to add that sought after signed book or ephemera to your collection.
Carl Burnham
SouthpointBooks.com
Editor's Note
This article has generated comments concerning the potential for being victimized by fraudulent descriptions, signatures, and COAs on eBay. Please see the Letters to the Editor dated 12/3 and 12/2/06 for these concerns, which should be considered before buying on eBay. Click here
Rare Book Monthly
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ALDE, Apr. 8: GUEVARA (ANTONIO DE). Histoire de Marc-Aurèle, Empereur Romain, vray miroir et horloge des Princes. Paris, Pierre et Galliot du Pré, frères, 1565. €3,000 to €4,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: HEURES DE LA VIERGE. Horæ in laudem beatissimæ virginis Mariæ ad usum Romanum. Paris, Charles L'Angelier, 1556. €4,000 to €5,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: MONTAIGNE (MICHEL DE). Les Essais. Édition nouvelle, trouvée après le deceds de l'autheur… Paris, Abel L'Angelier, 1595. €6,000 to €8,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: [ROJAS (FERNANDO DE)]. Celestina, tragicomedia di Calisto et Melibea, tradotta de lingua castigliana in italiano idioma… Venise, 1531. €2,000 to €3,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: CAMÕES (LUÍS DE). Os Lusiadas. Lisbonne, Pedro Crasbeeck, 1613. €2,000 to €3,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: CERVANTES (MIGUEL DE). El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Bruxelles, Roger Velpius & Huberto Antonio, 1611. €6,000 to €8,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: LA FONTAINE (JEAN DE). Fables choisies, mises en vers. Paris, Denys Thierry et Claude Barbin, 1678-1694. €6,000 to €8,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: CERVANTES (MIGUEL DE). El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Madrid, Joaquin Ibarra, 1780. €3,000 to €4,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: DIDEROT (DENIS) ET JEAN LE ROND D'ALEMBERT. Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers. Paris, 1751-1765. €15,000 to €20,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: [LIVRE TISSÉ]. LAMARTINE (Alphonse de). Les Laboureurs. Poème tiré de Jocelyn… Lyon, J. A. Henry, 1883. €8,000 to €10,000.ALDE, Apr. 8: [LIVRE TISSÉ]. Livre de prières tissé d'après les enluminures des manuscrits du XIVe au XVIe siècle. Lyon, [A. Roux], 1886. €5,000 to €6,000. -
Sotheby’s
Books, Manuscripts & Objects from Three Important Collections
Open for Bidding 2-17 AprilSotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: [Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun]. Le Roman de la Rose, [Geneva or Lyons, c.1481], first printed edition of the most important medieval French vernacular poem. £200,000 to £300,000.Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Castiglione. Il libro del cortegiano. [Venice], April 1528, first edition, in a magnificent binding by Jean Picard for Jean Grolier. £100,000 to £150,000.Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Jacobus de Cessolis. Schachzabelbuch, Strasbourg, 1483, von der Lasa copy. £50,000 to £70,000.Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: World Championship, 1972. A collection of 84 press photographs of the famed match between Spassky and Fischer. £2,000 to £3,000.Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Ben Franklin. Autograph letter signed, to Lord Shelburne, British Prime Minister, during peace negotiations, November 1782. £15,000 to £20,000.