What do to with ancient Encyclopaedia Britannica's?

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Incindre

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#157550 4-Dec-2014 15:26

So I found boxes and boxes of these Ninth Edition + Tenth Edition (New Volumes) Encyclopaedia Britannica's hiding in my parents storage container. They're over a century old and it shows unfortunately, the majority of the front and back covers have broken off from the spines (which themselves are flaking apart). The actual pages are in good condition however.

LINK TO FULL ALBUM OF PICTURES

Now I know that most folks here haven't touched a book in favour of the internet in a long time, but does anyone know if it's possible to get these repaired, or are they worth something in their current state? (I believe they're a full set, but haven't confirmed that just yet).

MikeSkyrme

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#1188742 4-Dec-2014 15:31

Not required in my house... I have a wife and three daughters who all know everything already... and subsequently make sure I know.

On a serious note, call your local library, they will know exactly who to talk to regards repairing the books.

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wellygary

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#1188748 4-Dec-2014 15:39

A local book repairer ( yes such occupations exist) will be able to help you out, where are you based?

More than likely they will be able to fix them up ( I've seen them repairs fairly drastic damage)

But It will come down to $$$ and how much you are prepared to spend,

kiwitrc

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#1188753 4-Dec-2014 15:44

This guy is well known for his work http://www.bookrepair.co.nz/

dolsen

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#1188768 4-Dec-2014 16:06

Pretentious monitor stands, lord it over those lowly phone book stands:-)

MileHighKiwi

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#1188769 4-Dec-2014 16:12

They don't look very valuable. You could send them to me, I recycle old books all the time

Journeyman

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#1188862 4-Dec-2014 19:37

- $1 trademe auction

- Sell as ancient artefact

- Upcycle into something wanky like an iphone cover

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Brumfondl

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#1188924 4-Dec-2014 21:28

Um, if they are complete then they are probably worth a fair bit of coin so you might want to get someone who knows about such things to take a look at them.

CutCutCut

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#1188926 4-Dec-2014 21:30

Wow, I think those look pretty cool. I would love to have a library in my home one day to be able to display such treasures. They would look great in a book shelf if you have the room.

blakamin

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#1188928 4-Dec-2014 21:33

THEY ARE AWESOME!
I love old books.
Take them to a reputable book binder and they'll tell you whether to repair or not.

Incindre

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#1188982 4-Dec-2014 22:21

kiwitrc: This guy is well known for his work http://www.bookrepair.co.nz/

Cheers dude, he looks like he knows what he's about. I shall ask for a quote (and hope it doesn't end up costing the world).

CutCutCut: Wow, I think those look pretty cool. I would love to have a library in my home one day to be able to display such treasures. They would look great in a book shelf if you have the room.

Very true, they would make a nice aesthetic addition to a place. Even if I don't have room, I'd MAKE room, and then loiter around them with an air of superiority and smoking pipe in hand.

JimmyH

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#1189549 5-Dec-2014 18:50

Incindre: Very true, they would make a nice aesthetic addition to a place. Even if I don't have room, I'd MAKE room, and then loiter around them with an air of superiority and smoking pipe in hand.

So would I. I love old books. In fact, I'd even contemplate taking up smoking so I could do just that......

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eracode

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#1189737 6-Dec-2014 05:46

We have a full set exactly the same - about 25-30 volumes and about two metres of shelf space. A few of the bindings are a bit loose but pages ok - overall in pretty good condition. Came from my wife's family and we have displayed them partly out of nostalgia but more for the olde worlde look. My understanding is they have no rarity value and are pretty much worthless except to maybe an interior designer who is trying to create a certain look.

We are moving house in a few months and are going to get rid of them. If anyone wants them, they are welcome to come and get them. Pickup is central Auckland suburb.

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Lazarui

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#1189745 6-Dec-2014 08:16

eracode: We have a full set exactly the same - about 25-30 volumes and about two metres of shelf space. A few of the bindings are a bit loose but pages ok - overall in pretty good condition. Came from my wife's family and we have displayed them partly out of nostalgia but more for the olde worlde look. My understanding is they have no rarity value and are pretty much worthless except to maybe an interior designer who is trying to create a certain look.

We are moving house in a few months and are going to get rid of them. If anyone wants them, they are welcome to come and get them. Pickup is central Auckland suburb.

Would depend if they are part of a reprint run or not, best to get the appraised and repaired if applicable. I've seen a full set go for a couple of grand if the right people are around wanting it (I love live auction houses). Don't know much about them but is it one of the runs that came with a bookshelf as well, cause guessing if you had that as well it might add some value.

ubernoob

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#1189782 6-Dec-2014 09:54

Unfortunately the world has changed in the last century. I would think most of the information would be out of date and worthless on the inside. The covers have aesthetic value is my 50cents worth, and that's not worth as much now as it was last century

TLD

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#1189785 6-Dec-2014 10:00

My sister-in-law deals in old books. She might have an idea of their worth. Unfortunately, she is not exactly local though, living in north Wales UK.

http://www.rozhulse.com/acatalog/index.html

I wonder if my old Encata DVD is worth anything? ;-)

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)