Valuable book - What to do ?

[JDOvengloves]

I have recently been told that I've won a valuable book worth �995

http://www.foliosociety.com/book/H8P/prayer-bo ok-henry

Obviously, I'm considering selling it. Does anyone have any knowledge of rare books? Would I be best waiting until the edition has sold out and do these books appreciate considerably over time?

What kind of price could I expect at auction or from selling to a rare book shop ?

Any input would be appreciated.

[omalleyboy]

You say that you have WON a valuable book. The first thing I would say is do not spend a penny on getting it until you have it in your hands, otherwise if you receive it at all you may not be able to sell it and will end up out of pocket and owning something you don't want!

As for its sale value, check out the asking price for this or similar items on the likes of eBay. Also, if you don't get a solution from Answerbank you can look for professional advice online. Tread carefully!

Hope my comments are of help.

[Schutzengel]

Morning JD. Exactly what was the wording telling you that you had WON a copy of this book. It is not a rare book in itself, it is a facsimile produced by Folio, for sale at the price of �995, of which there are 980 copies available for purchase. So if you really have won one, and then wish to sell it, it becomes secondhand, with a corresponding reduction in the price you could ask for it. It is unlikely that anyone would wish to purchase it from you even at a reduced price for secondhand value, while at present there will be 979 NEW copies available to purchase. When the limited edition has sold out, there may be a market for it. Cont'd in Part Two.

[Schutzengel]

JD Cont'd Part Two
Have said all that, have you checked the small print on the information you received from Folio. It may be that there is an opportunity to WIN a copy. I would suggest you read the information very carefully, as sometimes these offers are worded such as "we will inform you that you have WON". It would be lovely to think that you really did win a copy, as it is such a beautiful book. Do tread carefully, and don't part with any money. If you really have won, then the book will eventually arrive, and then you can take it from there. Good Luck. Do please let me know how you get on. Schutz.

[JDOvengloves]

No, its a genuine win. It was a competiton on The Times Culture+ website, which I remember entering. They also had my works phone number which I give out to very few people. They rang to confirm delivery details precisely because it is so valuable.

As to selling it, I did think that it would instantly become second hand and lose some value. However as I've paid nothing for it, not even the cost of a stamp, I would still be interested in selling - I just don't don't whether it would be worth � 500 or �200 or what.

The Folio Society website doesn't make it clear how long the book has been on offer for and precisely how many are left.

I posted here looking for anyone who knows about editions such as this one. Whether they always sell out, whether they gain in value etc

Thanks for answering.

[jno]

I think it's new - it's 500 years this year since Henry VIII came to the throne so it was probably done to tie in with that (also, competitions like these usually have new books as prizes). So there won't be a second-hand market for it yet and it'll only be worth what someone wants to pay for it. You might get lucky and find a buyer who can't afford a new one but will buy it for not much less, but who knows? You could try selling on eBay.

[Mr Veritas]

Hello there,
According to a (difficult to find) page on the Folio Society's website,this limited edition came out to celebrate Henry VIII's accession to the throne on April 21st 1509.So I would assume (going by their wording) that this facsimile was issued on April 21st 2009?

[Mr Veritas]

PS:~
According to the same page, 300 have ready been sold ,or maybe that should be 299( as Prince Charles got edition No1 free).

[JDOvengloves]

Thank you Mr Veritas, at last an answer which attempts to add to the knowledge I would need to make a decision.

I posted the question hoping someone who knew about rare books, auctions or limited editions might reply - rather than someone saying " have you thought about selling it on EBay "

Thanks again

[jno]

you asked what price you would get. I told you there was no second-hand market in them and the only way to start one is to put it on eBay yourself. This is still true, whether you like it or not.

[Gromit]

Have you considered papering the outside lavvy with it?

[Schutzengel]

Thank you for your comment, as you only appear to want answers which coincide with what you already know. I don't know why we bother.

[JDOvengloves]

Re: I don't know why we bother.

Neither do I !

[jno]

possibly because you said 'Any input would be appreciated', which clearly was untrue.

[VHG]

>I've won a valuable book worth �995

Well there is a big difference between "worth" and "for sale at".

I could do painting and put it up for sale at �10,000.

So it is "for sale" at �10,000, but is it WORTH �10,000.

This book may be for sale at �995 but it may not be worth �995.

Someone earlier said that they have sold 300 (not sure where he got that number from) so there is still over 600 to sell.

Which means the market for it is not that great, meaning you are not likely to get a lot for it second hand.

And they are giving it away in a quiz in the Times, which means the publishers are trying to offload them.

I doubt you will get much for this book.