"Francis A. Miniter" wrote in message
. ..
bill allemann wrote:
Is there an online appraisal service that would have known credibility,
if I were I to invoke their report in the process of selling a book on
ebay, etc?

Thanks, Bill

I doubt it. While you can describe a book to someone who cannot see it,
that person would be unlikely to want to place a value on it without
personally observing the condition of the book. Condition is one of the
most important criteria for determining the value of a collectible book.
An appraiser would want to know if the book cover is faded, if the book
leans, if the covers are bowed, if the pages are as white as they were
originally, how extensive any foxing is, are the corners bumped and if so,
how badly, are the hinges fully secure, how bright the gilt (if any) is,
etc. etc. etc.

You either misunderstood the question or answered a different one. The
correct answer is that there are lots of online appraisal services, some of
which have credibility; however, invoking their name isn;'t going to
convince anyone of anything, because anyone who's buying a book that's
valuable enough to be worth appraising isn't going to be swayed by the
appraisal. They'll know the relative value and they'll know the conditions
that affect that plus or minus. A couple of pictures and an honest
description will tell the buyer all he needs to know, whether, as you say,
the jacket's torn or the spine's cocked. It's not like a gem stone, where
the analysis of brilliance, color, weight and flaws require equipment and
specialized knowledge beyong the ken of the average buyer.





Francis A. Miniter