Rare Book Monthly

Articles - January - 2007 Issue

Comparing The Book Finding Sites

Used Book Search shows results by site, with a link to details on the site.

Used Book Search shows results by site, with a link to details on the site.


Best Book Deal says it searches 100 sites, though it doesn't list them. Clearly it searches a lot, including the major names, though a lot are new book sites. Searches only one field at a time. Results show shipping costs and, unusually, condition. Seemed to miss a lot, particularly older material. Link: www.bestbookdeal.com

AAABookSearch says it searches over 50 sites, but only lists the largest, such as Amazon, Abe, Alibris, Half, B&N, and "more." Much of what shows up is new. Only searches one field at a time. Displays shipping costs and condition. Missed a lot of listings. Link: www/aaabooksearch.com

BookButler is a German and newer search site that looks a bit more original than most. It searches 101 sites, with a greater focus on European sites than most, while still hitting the American majors. Advanced search allows you to specify dates and publishers. You also pick by country and choose your currency. Includes shipping and condition in results. A nice step up over most lower tier sites, but sadly only found more recent material. Link: us.bookbutler.com

Isbn.nu searches 14 mostly major sites, including eBay, for both used and new books. It apparently generates more traffic than most of the lower tier sites, although I found it somewhat confusing. Searches up to three fields at once. Displays shipping time but not cost. Did not list older books, but did provide link to Abe for possible matches it did not list, which included antiquarian material. Link: www.isbn.nu

Booksprice does not say what sites it searches, but a test run indicates it hits most majors and plenty of others as well. It offers an advanced search including publisher but not date. Results include shipping and review ratings for the sellers (they like Half but don't much care for A1). Missed many listings. Link: www.booksprice.com

Compricer is a Swedish site that doesn't say who it searches, but most results come from Abe, Amazon, Alibris and England's Blackwell's, with a few others thrown in. Searches only one field at a time. Displays shipping cost. Missed the older material. Suggested trying Abe but did not do the search as did Isbn.nu. Link: books.comprice.com

BookHQ states it searches 24 sites without listing them. Amazon, Alibris, Abe, Half, B&N, Chapters and Blackwell's are among them. Searches one field at a time. Displays only seller and price. Misses a whole lot. A notice says the site is for sale in case you would like to join the crowds in this business. They are looking for high six figures. I wish them luck. Link: www.bookhq.com

Rare Book Monthly

  • Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: HAMILTON, Sir William (1730-1803) - Campi Phlegraei. Napoli: [Pietro Fabris], 1776, 1779. € 30.000 - 50.000
    Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: [MORTIER] - BLAEU, Joannes (1596-1673) - Het Nieuw Stede Boek van Italie. Amsterdam: Pieter Mortier, 1704-1705. € 15.000 - 25.000
    Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: TULLIO D'ALBISOLA (1899-1971) - Bruno MUNARI (1907-1998) - L'Anguria lirica (lungo poema passionale). Roma e Savona: Edizioni Futuriste di Poesia, senza data [ma 1933?]. € 20.000 - 30.000
    Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: IL MANOSCRITTO RITROVATO DI IPPOLITA MARIA SFORZA. TITO LIVIO - Ab Urbe Condita. Prima Decade. Manoscritto miniato su pergamena, metà XV secolo. € 280.000 - 350.000
  • Sotheby's Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: Balthus, Emily Brontë. Wuthering Heights, New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1993. 6,600 USD.
    Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. Complete Works, Philadelphia & London: J.B. Lippincott Company & Chapman & Hall, LD, 1850. Limited Edition set of 30 volumes. 7,500 USD.
    Sotheby’s: John Lennon, Yoko Ono. Handwritten Letter from John Lennon and Yoko Ono to their Chauffer. 1971. 32,500 USD.
    Sotheby’s: Winston Churchill. First edition of War Speeches, Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1941. Set of 7 volumes. 5,500 USD.
    Sotheby’s: Andy Warhol, Julia Warhola. Holy Cats First Edition, Signed by Andy Warhol. 1954. 30,000 USD.
  • Forum Auctions
    Online: India
    Ends 19th February 2026
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 40
    Ramasvami (Kavali Venkata). A Digest of the Different Castes of India, 83 charming hand-coloured lithographed plates, Madras, 1837. £5,000-7,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 50
    Watson (John Forbes) & John William Kaye. The People of India: A Series of Photographic Illustrations...of the Races and Tribes of Hindustan, 8 vol., 480 mounted albumen prints, 1868-75. £4,000-6,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 53
    Afghanistan.- Elphinstone (Hon. Mountstuart). An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul, first edition, hand-coloured aquatint plates, a fine copy, 1815. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 57
    [Album and Treatise on Hinduism], manuscript treatise on Hinduism in French, 31 watercolours of Hindu deities, Pondicherry, 1865. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 62 Allan (Capt. Alexander). Views in the Mysore Country, [1794]. £2,000-3,000
    Forum Auctions
    Online: India
    Ends 19th February 2026
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 76
    Bird (James). Historical Researches on the Origin and Principles of the Bauddha and Jaina Religions..., first edition, lithographed plates, Bombay, American Mission Press, 1847. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 100
    Ceylon.- Daniell (Samuel). A Picturesque Illustration of the scenery, animals, and native inhabitants, of the Island of Ceylon: in twelve plates, 1808. £5,000-7,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 123
    D'Oyly (Charles). Behar Amateur Lithographic Scrap Book, lithographed throughout with title and 55 plates mounted on 43 paper leaves, [Patna], [1828]. £3,000-5,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 139
    Gandhi (known as Mahatma Gandhi,) Fine Autograph Letter signed to Jawaharlal Nehru, Sevagram, Wardha, 1942, emphasising the importance of education in rural communities. £10,000-15,000
    Forum Auctions
    Online: India
    Ends 19th February 2026
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 140
    Gantz (John). Indian Microcosm, first edition, Madras, John Gantz & Son, 1827. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 146
    Grierson (Sir George Abraham). Linguistic Survey of India, 11 vol. in 20, folding maps, original cloth, Calcutta, Superintendent Government Printing, 1903-28. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 195
    Madras.- Fort St. George Gazette (The), No.276-331, pp.493-936 and Index to all of 1834 at end, modern half calf, Madras, 2nd July - 31st December 1834. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 205
    Marshall (Sir John) and Alfred Foucher. The Monuments of Sanchi, 3 vol., first edition, 141 plates, most photogravure, [Calcutta], [1940]. £3,000-4,000

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