If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
A History of Europe, printed 1689
Hello,
I was hoping someone on this list may be able to help me out about a rare book. The book appears to be a self published history book, since the author refers to himself, but never by name and no author is listed. The book was poorly rebound at some point in the 20th century by the looks of it. The name of the book is "A Complete History of Europe: or, a View of the Affairs thereof, Civil and Military: From the Beginning of the Treaty of Nimeguen, 1676. to the Conclusion of the Peace at Reswick, 1697" (spelling and punctuation as they appear in the original). The date of publication is 1698 (MDCXCVIII). I did an internet search but was unable to find any references to this book. It is interesting both becaus of it's age, but primarily because it was published only a year after the events it recounts. The author includes actual treaties and correspondence between monarchs. Most likely an attempt at revisionism, which only makes the book more interesting in my opinion. Anyway, this was a gift and mailed to me. I live in a remote region where I don't have access to a rare book dealer who can help me with additional information. If anyone has suggestions for how I can find out more about this treasure, please reply. Thanks! |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
snip
What kind of value would assign, Sandy, if you had this in your hypothetical store? William M. Klimon http://www.gateofbliss.com Well, thanks for the compliment in thinking I might have a clue, Bill, but alas I don't, really. 17th century books seem to vary in price so much it'd be hard even to suggest a range. There are 2 or 3 copies of later editions of this title for sale online at $100-$150, so I'd guess that the first edition, assuming condition, binding etc are all reasonable, would be more than that; it doesn't seem to be a common title, certainly. But as I say, I'm really the wrong person to ask. Maybe someone else here (Nigel B, if he's still reading the list, possibly?) would have a better idea than me what a late 17th c English book on contemporary history would sell for retail; regardless of the money, though, it sounds like a great book to have on the shelf. Sandy |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Like I mentioned, the book was poorly rebound, and overall not in
excellent condition. While I was a bit curious how much it could be worth, as Sandy said, this is a great one to have and hold on to. Anyway, it was a gift, so there is no question of letting it go. I'm not a "knowledgable" collector, just a hobbyist. My criteria for those I choose to purchase is variable. I like any fine literature, but apart from that, I usually like books that in some way reflect an interesting aspect of the time they were written. I began as a teenager browsing used book stores and have never given it up. I'm glad I discovered this group as a result of seeking answers about my latest book and I hope to learn more from you over time. Thanks! "William M. Klimon" wrote in message news:w43Pa.1402$EM1.1139@lakeread07... "Sandy Malcolm" wrote in message news:3f0c895e$0$19203$afc38c87@britishlibrary... Anyway, the most informative catalogue record is the Bodleian one, at http://copac.ac.uk/copac/wzgw?fs=Nex...r=1&id=2707643, which says that the author was David Jones, who flourished 1676-1720. Jones was assigned as the author by "Wing", which is a 3-volume short-title catalogue of all the books printed in the British Isles and British America, plus books in English printed in other countries, for the period 1641-1700, compiled by Donald Wing (hence the name) in the 1940s. Jones (assuming the attribution's correct) continued to produce "A compleat history..." annually until 1711. Some of the later ones only covered the events of the preceding year, while others included the updated contents of the original 1698 volume. The one you have is the earliest, as far as I can see. Nice gift! What kind of value would assign, Sandy, if you had this in your hypothetical store? William M. Klimon http://www.gateofbliss.com |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Sandy Malcolm" wrote in message
news:3f0f164d$0$8336$afc38c87@britishlibrary... Well, thanks for the compliment in thinking I might have a clue, Bill, but alas I don't, really. 17th century books seem to vary in price so much it'd be hard even to suggest a range. There are 2 or 3 copies of later editions of this title for sale online at $100-$150, so I'd guess that the first edition, assuming condition, binding etc are all reasonable, would be more than that; it doesn't seem to be a common title, certainly. But as I say, I'm really the wrong person to ask. Maybe someone else here (Nigel B, if he's still reading the list, possibly?) would have a better idea than me what a late 17th c English book on contemporary history would sell for retail; regardless of the money, though, it sounds like a great book to have on the shelf. I know I referred to your "hypothetical store," but retail/resale value is not the only reason that we (i.e., collectors) should be interested in the value (price) of our books. I can think of at least three other reasons: (1) insurance--of course, insurers want an accurate valuation of the material in question before writing insurance; (2) security--in the case of theft, e.g., the value of the item, generally speaking, determines directly the severity of the offense; (3) taxation--in the case of charitable donations, e.g., the value of donated books will determine the amount of tax deduction that the donor may take. I am not interested in reselling most of the books I own, but these other issues are concerns for me. William M. Klimon http://www.gateofbliss.com |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I know I referred to your "hypothetical store," but retail/resale value is not the only reason that we (i.e., collectors) should be interested in the value (price) of our books. I can think of at least three other reasons: (1) insurance--of course, insurers want an accurate valuation of the material in question before writing insurance; (2) security--in the case of theft, e.g., the value of the item, generally speaking, determines directly the severity of the offense; (3) taxation--in the case of charitable donations, e.g., the value of donated books will determine the amount of tax deduction that the donor may take. Well, (3) isn't really an issue in the UK, I don't think, since those kinds of donations don't in general attract any tax advantages for the donor. There might be occasional exceptions, eg accepting an illuminated medieval ms in lieu of death duty on an aristocratic estate, but not as a general rule. I believe this is one reason that US libraries find it much easier to attract such donations than UK ones, which I suppose rely more heavily on altruism. In the UK, very little indeed is tax-deductible. Sandy |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"Sandy Malcolm" wrote in message
news:3f131479$0$18745$afc38c87@britishlibrary... Well, (3) isn't really an issue in the UK, I don't think, since those kinds of donations don't in general attract any tax advantages for the donor. There might be occasional exceptions, eg accepting an illuminated medieval ms in lieu of death duty on an aristocratic estate, but not as a general rule. I believe this is one reason that US libraries find it much easier to attract such donations than UK ones, which I suppose rely more heavily on altruism. In the UK, very little indeed is tax-deductible. Yes, that is a bit of a problem. I did a little reading on the subject and found that, in addition to cash, Inland Revenue will recognize a deduction for donations of some securities and for donations of inventory by businesses. So I don't quite understand the reasons for not recognizing deductions for in-kind donations by individuals--the only issue I see is valuation but that's what appraisers and standardized valuation tables are for. William M. Klimon http://www.gateofbliss.com |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FS: Rock-N-Roll Litho Sheets | J.R. Sinclair | General | 0 | June 10th 04 06:32 AM |
FS: Rock-N-Roll Litho Sheets | J.R. Sinclair | General | 0 | April 19th 04 06:13 AM |
FA: 2-Days, WWI 33rd Division Unit History Book, Exc. | fishnet531 | General | 0 | April 12th 04 10:55 PM |
FA: 2-Days, WWI 33rd Division Unit History Book, Exc. | fishnet531 | General | 0 | March 2nd 04 01:46 AM |
FS: 1988 "History Of The DC Universe" 1st Limited Edition Hardcover Book | J.R. Sinclair | General | 0 | November 26th 03 05:57 AM |