Forum Administrator: Before you delete this topic, THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL.
Now, with that out of the way and hopefully saving this topic from immediate deletion, what do you think the following books are worth:
Locomotive Builders’ Cyclopedia - 1919
Car Builders Cyclopedia - 1940
Car Builders Cyclopedia - 1957
All are authentic Simmons-Boardman originals (not reprints) in reasonably good to excellent condition (particularly considering their ages). They are, after all, used books. I rescued them from trash bins many years ago but they were all used by roundhouse or car shop people — and have the grease stains on a few pages to show it.
As I said above, I’m not offering to sell them. There are some things you don’t sell. Kids? Maybe. Old books? Never! But I would be interested in finding out how much these would be worth (without offering them on e-Bay with an astronomical reserve price).
It is hard to say: however, you might review E-Bay prices for similar items to try to establish a fair price for them in todays market place. I would think that the locomotive tome would be of more value because of its age, on the other hand the car books might be as valuable just due to the availability of these items.
Will
I have seen original Locomotive Cyclopedias at swap meets offered
at $300.00 to $400.00. I was fortunate and got my 1941 edition for
$75.00. As mentioned, mine also came supplied with journal grease
and oil stains. As far as the information inside is concerned, it’s
priceless. I have never had such a source of info on steam locos-
every possible detail is covered in depth. That would make these
books worth the price. IMHO
You could check with one of the online book seller resouces, one is at http://www.bookfinder.com/ But keep in mind their prices can be way out of line and in no way reflect actual selling or value prices.
Some time ago someone posted a message stating they had seen one of Wayne Wesolowski’s scratchbuilding books listed for over $300.00. Since I had both of his softcover books and no longer needed them, I thought I’d make a killing by offering them on eBay. I placed a reserve of $200.00 on one, but the bidding never got above $40.00. I posed a question somewhere inquiring about the high prices quoted and a part time bookseller posted a long explaination as to the posted values. The end result was they were grossly inflated and not realistic.
The value of anything depends on the good old fashioned concept of a willing buyer and willing seller. You can ask $300 for a Wayne Wesolowski book but that is not the same as getting it.
For those who want the information, often the reprints from Train Shed Cyclopedias can satisfy. For real collectors only the original will do and that is where prices go way up.
I have bought car and loco builder’s cycs in the $125 - $175 range.
Dave Nelson