Rare Books Roadshow Coming to Manhattan This Sunday

Would you like to learn how to spot rare and valuable books? This Sunday at 2:00pm I will be giving a presentation at the Manhattan Public Library (629 Poyntz Avenue / Manhattan, Kansas 66502 / 785-776-4741) with advice on how to evaluate books, along with stories of treasures I've found through the years. 

Friends of the Manhattan Public Library and patrons are encouraged to bring a book or two to share!

http://www.manhattan.lib.ks.us/

A copy of Robert Frost's "West-Running Brook" with a handwritten version of "Sand Dunes" written by Frost on the half-title page.  I found this beauty in the contents of a storage unit auction in 2006.

10 Action Steps You Can Take When Online Bookselling Sales are Slow or Stagnant

 Here is a list of ten practical things I have done during periods of slow or stagnant sales.  I do realize that they aren't for everybody, and that the idea of haggling on Ebay can be a controversial topic among the IOBA membership, not to mention even listing on Amazon in any way, shape or form.  Also, some of these tips might not be as practical for those with brick and mortar shops, and are more geared towards the online bookseller.

1.  I added the "Best Offer" feature to my Ebay Store items.  Whenever I receive a reasonable offer, I simply compare the offer to the current market (items in similar condition) and also factor in the period of time that I have had the book on my shelf. 

2.  I added Amazon's FBA program to my arsenal in 2009, and it has been the single greatest area of growth in my total sales.  I typically use FBA for items not worth photographing and creating a comprehensive bibliographical description for, typically books ranging from $8-20 with an Amazon sales rank below 2 million.

3.  I started using Bookscouter.com as a tool for converting items from collection buyouts that are not worth cataloging into a source of immediate cash (and/or Powell's and Amazon credit)

4.  I have started listing more subject-oriented lots on Ebay and more complete sets on Amazon.  The truth is that I list via FillZ to a variety of sites, but I have noticed a particular increase in sales of sets (yes, even Time-Life) via Amazon.

5.  I will manually reprice my inventory using FillZ and SellerEngine Plus.

6.  I will add photographs and modify descriptions for older listings that may not have been as professional or comprehensive as my current listings.  This includes adding photographs of signatures and related ephemera laid-in to collectible volumes.

7.  I will take 10 boxes of books in good condition to the Hastings in the area for either cash, store credit or gift cards.

8.  I began listing several classic Book Club Editions that I once avoided like the plague and now bring $25 and up everytime.  BookThink has some great resources on this topic.

9.  I check out a book from the local library or refer to my personal collection of Firsts Magazine or "Books about Books" to educate myself on titles and authors that I had not been previously familiar with.  I am constantly amazed and how much there is still to learn after 10+ years in the business.

10.  I set up Google Alerts for booksale searches within my state (and surrounding states) to find library sales that I had not previously been aware of.

11.  I throw my hands up in the air, dream about what might have been had I stayed in school and pursued an MBA, order a pizza and turn on the tube for a Black Books marathon.

12.  I just remembered, I also started selling books in the local Antique Mall several years ago, and while it has not been the cash cow I had hoped it may become (I am proud to report that I have only had a negative balance for one month out of about 60), it has resulted in some excellent contacts and purchases of several large collections.  It is also nice to pretend that I have a real brick and mortar shop, which I do always dream of opening someday...

Hitting the Jackpot...Three Times in One Week!

Earlier this week, I made my best sale to date as an antiquarian bookseller- four books signed by Laura Ingalls Wilder (including Little House on the Prairie), which I had only just listed for sale at the beginning of March.

I felt like their sale was some kind of karmic justice, as I had devoted the past two weeks of my life to volunteering to organize and run the semi-annual booksale fundraiser for the Friends of the Wichita Public Library, and had little time for any kind of other work or cataloging around the office. 

My sore back was still in recovery this week after loading, unloading, selling and cleaning up over 15,000 books.  I have also been dealing with the worst case of seasonal allergies I've ever experienced.  It's nothing too serious, just enough to have me wake up extremely congested in the morning and have eyes that won't stop itching and burning by night. 

On Wednesday night, in a clouded and foggy state, I offered to take my fiance Emily out to dinner at the restaurant of her choice on Friday night, completely forgetting that both the Jayhawks and my new favorite cinderella story (the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University aka Dunk City) would both be playing their Sweet 16 games that evening.

Once I got home from doing some work in my storage facility this afternoon, I asked Emily where she had decided to go for our celebratory dinner date, and she reported that she was feeling a bit lousy after getting a Typhoid shot (for her upcoming service trip to an orphanage in Honduras) and that she was in the mood to stay in tonight and have a cozy night around the house.  Not only that, but she knew how excited I was to watch the basketball games, and insisted that she pick up dinner while I watch the first half of the KU/Michigan game.  Her words were like sweet music to my ears, and we promptly decided on a rain-check plan for early next week.

I can't help but feeling like I hit the jackpot twice in one week.  Once for a great sale, which I'm glad to report will also benefit the Manhattan (KS) Public Library, but more importantly, in knowing that I somehow lucked out and met the most beautiful and sweet gal I've ever had the privilege of knowing.

Make that three times, my good friend Mark stopped by this afternoon with a surprise gift- my new favorite t-shirt.

 
Alright, gotta run...the second half just started.

A Rare Find- The Father of Stephen Crane's First Book

The Right Way, or, Practical Lectures on the Decalogue by Jonathan Townley Crane

It's always interesting to discover books when you weren't even aware of their existence, even after over ten years as a professional bookseller.  Vintage religious texts are a dime a dozen, and 99% of the time, are not worth much more than their sentimental or decorative value.

I recently discovered a volume that appeared to be scarce after conducting several searches via Abebooks, Bookfinder and Amazon, and obtaining zero results.  After more in depth research, I discovered this mid-19th century text was written by the father of Stephen Crane, author of The Red Badge of Courage.  Crane's father died when Stephen was only a boy (at the tender age of 8), and apparently also authored several works of fiction himself.  According to scholars, Stephen kept a good portion of his father's writings and letters, and was said to have been reading his sermons on his deathbed.

Here is my description of the book, along with some additional background information on the author:

"1854 Carlton & Phillips. 277 pages, plus advertisements. The relatively scarce and out-of-print first book by Jonathan Townley Crane, a Methodist minister most widely known as the father of famous author Stephen Crane. A graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary, Crane enjoyed an active career as an educator, pastor and writer. He was involved in local temperance movements, and strongly supported abolitionist causes. This hardcover copy (a series of reflections and essays on the Ten Commandments) has light edge wear, fraying and bumping at the corners of the decorative purplish-brown cloth boards. The text is unmarked, albeit foxed throughout. The binding is sturdy and intact, although the rear hinge is beginning to split at the foot. The remnants of a bookplate are affixed to the front paste down endpaper. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. We process and ship orders daily, securely and with delivery confirmation."

Price- 1,000.00 USD

Only time will tell if the demand for this book warrants a listing price reflective of its' limited supply.

Flashpoint: Paul Harvey

Here is a quick flashpoint that I expect to have a relatively short shelf-life.



After an uninspiring slew of Super Bowl commercials, Dodge brought us the "God Made a Farmer" commercial featuring the voice of Paul Harvey, and sales of his out-of-print books (most available in no short supply) skyrocketed.  Okay, maybe skyrocketed isn't the right word, but most titles are an easy $30-50 a pop. 

I was lucky enough to find several copies of several different titles, all of which sold quickly.  Pick them up in any binding and just about any condition.

Here are a few examples: