posted on October 11, 2001 04:58:42 PM
I would like to sell a bible that has been in the family for a while. Actually it belonged to a very famous international diplomat. But I would like to know how much the real value is. The title reads: THE HOLY BIBLE. Containing the old and new testaments. Translated out of the original tounges. and with the former translaltions diligently compared and revised. Together With Marginal References, APOCRYPHA, CONCORDANCE AND PSALMS. THE TEXT COMFORMABLE TO THE OXFORD EDITION, AND THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY'S EDITION OF 1816. PHIALDELPHIA: WILLIAM W. HARDING 1873
posted on October 11, 2001 06:43:32 PM
For a bible to be valuable as far as price in most cases it needs to be before the 1850 and that is still not that old for a bible and not worth much in cash value. It is also you state an American Bible Society Bible. Quite common back then and today. There are still a large number of Bible out there from the date you quote 1873 and that doesn't mean it was printed then it could have been printed after words as is common with bibles and no one printed in the new date the just printed a copied as is. One would have to look at a few things to tell if really was 1873 but most wouldn't both doing to much research as it in finincial value isn't worth all that much.
In other value it of course is worth more then any dollar amount put on it.
Your best bet is to go look through the completed auctions on ebay looking for bibles in the late 1800s early 1900s and compare yours to get an estimated value. Most go for 30.00 to 50.00 dollars. Graphics make a difference that would put it in the higher end but being a common bible would take a few dollars away.
posted on October 11, 2001 09:20:14 PM
It's probably worth about $25.00 except that you mentioned its owner was well known. This might be the icing this cake needs. If the name recognition and the person's life was of interest to a collector who wanted that person's stuff, you might walk away with a nice sum. Does it bear his signature? That might raise its value. Who was the person?
Do tell!
posted on October 12, 2001 04:33:02 AM
If your Bible has genealogical info (births, marriages, deaths) then the value will increase. If it does, put it up for bid under Genealogy and list some of the surnames. I'm not a book specialist, but a genealogist.
posted on October 12, 2001 06:24:17 AM
We have a few Bibles in our bookstore like that. Yes, they are not "really that old", at least, for a Bible. In really good condition, probably at most $50.00. However, if it is a family Bible with lists of births, deaths and marriages, the price can soar to $300 or more, depending on family name and extensiveness. For examples, you can check out our website at www.rarebooks.to and go to Family Bibles.
Edited to fiddle around.....
[ edited by mark090 on Oct 12, 2001 06:29 AM ]
