So - for those of us who've never heard of it, what's it worth?
It's worth exactly whatever someone is willing to pay for it, said Alice. Can I suggest you do some research? Start with Google maybe. OK. Seriously, it's hard to do satire or humour online, without risking upsetting someone and that's not my intention. This is a pretty rare book. It's one of the earliest caving books written by 'the father of cave exploration' and as a result is widely sought after by libraries, book collectors, ordinary cavers, etc. and especially those who have a combined love of books and an interest in caving. If you discover one for sale and fit that description you'll want to acquire it if you don't already have it in your collection. Cost tends to be a secondary issue - condition is important, but these days everybody is struggling and hoping not to be scammed online. I've been a caver since 1962 and I was down a wild cave as recently as last August but now it's time to stop as my body isn't up to serious stuff any more. I'd like this to have a good home and to find a caver who loves books an appreciates it for what it is. If you wanted to read it, you could do that online if your archaic French is good. There are scanned versions out there. There are even translated versions of different chapters available out there. But if you know the feel you get when you hold an original then you'll know what I mean when I say it's a bit like finding a new bit of passage underground. It's YOURS. It's hard for me to decide what I would accept as an offer because that decision is wrapped up in 'who is this buyer' as much as 'what will they pay' - for the right buyer I might be prepared to give a accept a different price compared to a commercial or institutional buyer. But let me say this - there seems to be a few of these selling online for about £350-500 or € or $ but I'm not certain about whether they are real or facsimile versions made in India. I've had mine informally appraised as anything up to 1000 £/€/$ but that would be under auction, and for a private sale I'd be willing to be more reasonable - especially if he profile of the buyer was 'right'. i.e - a caver who knows the value and a book lover/collector trying to build up his/her collection of such books. And in any deal, payment would be by PayPal only as this protects both of us - and shipping would be extra at the actual cost of courier - international rates because I don't live in UK or EU - to guarantee secure and traceable delivery. (Fedex, UPS, DHL etc). Hope this helps!
Supplementary question: is there any conservation or restoration needed on the leather or binding? Not a show stopper. I know few people that could advise if needed.
Hi, any pictures of this and the other tomes you have on offer?Thanks.
Quote from: OldPhartCaver on August 14, 2020, 06:55:10 pmThere are copies around and a genuine one in France is going for £300 + shipping , I would need to check its an original MikeHow do you know the one in France is genuine? And if it is, why not buy it? And how would you propose "to check if it's an original"? Buying or selling something online is fraught with all sorts of risks for an individual. I can't guarantee you'd pay for or return something shipped for inspection and you can't guarantee I won't take your money and run. As an individual who is offering to sell online, my only suggestion is to pay through PayPal which seems to have fairly robust procedures to protect the seller and buyer. I could be naive. I've already had offers to provide my bank account number so that an amount of money (far in excess of what this might be worth) would be put into my account and I could just return the balance - several thousands of $. Like I wasn't born yesterday. Anyway, If you have some suggestions, if you are interested, PM me and tell me something about where you cave and which club you're with any why this might be of interest to you etc. Otherwise I think I'll just donate this to my old caving club library. Far less hassle really!
There are copies around and a genuine one in France is going for £300 + shipping , I would need to check its an original Mike
Anyway, If you have some suggestions, if you are interested, PM me and tell me something about where you cave and which club you're with any why this might be of interest to you etc.
This has turned from book sale into something akin to a job interview....
We would love it for the British Caving Library but I think it would be too expensive for us. I will ask Jenny Potts what she thinks. Mary
Quote from: yrammy on August 17, 2020, 08:55:20 amWe would love it for the British Caving Library but I think it would be too expensive for us. I will ask Jenny Potts what she thinks. MaryAn excellent destination - perhaps we could raise funds through donation to buy , I would contribute if others want to do similar. Mike
Quote from: moorebooks on August 17, 2020, 09:33:33 amQuote from: yrammy on August 17, 2020, 08:55:20 amWe would love it for the British Caving Library but I think it would be too expensive for us. I will ask Jenny Potts what she thinks. MaryAn excellent destination - perhaps we could raise funds through donation to buy , I would contribute if others want to do similar. MikeMe too
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