I am French, and I have been auto-studying English Antiques ( ceramics, silver, painting etc...) I have learned mostly thank to Antiques road trip and bargain hunt ...and of course museums ( in london) , internet , auction houses...I have written every single tips you have said and your "colleagues" , it has been very inspirational ...thank for the videos !
Thanks so much for the valuable information. I have a stack of old books, some dating back to the mid 19th century. You can be certain that I will be checking them out!
Thanks for the information. I love books, so much knowledge! I have too many books but hate to get rid of them. Glad to hear Antique Road Trip going so strong! Have a great day!
Thanks for this video, too many people overlook old books, which makes them more affordable for collectors and makes some money for us that sell to them.
A bought a book called beacon lights of history from a thrift store earlier and when I opened the book, it says it was published in 1921 I bought it because I love collecting antique stuff.
I feel terrible watching this! Not because of you but just what I’ve learnt! Short story of a long one a book buyer came to my house to buy books not only did she hide the books amongst the huge piles of books the ones I said she could not have she took them and the best of all the others and I just feel completely had! Some people just are not honest people! Thank you for your knowledge.
Thanks for the shout out for old, sadly overlooked books, David! Pound for pound, I've made more profit properly identifying and then selling on antiquarian and first edition books than in any other collecting area. Often found unloved in job lots at local auctions or under tables at car boot sales, they can be worth their weight in gold. (Well, almost!)
Please don’t send the book, but I appreciated this broadcast! Sometimes the most obscure book has given me the most depth of knowledge and pleasure. Love the POV and ideals, ideas and motivations, dreams and imaginations, creativity and insights of people long since past-I cherish these old reads for those reasons and more-the feel of the vellum, the covers, the spines, imagining who might have opened that very book, and where were they, in the parlour by the fire? Reading by lamplight? Did they read the book to the family? And what about the history of the writer-all so fascinating. Confirmed book-a-holic here! Shae in Oz
I always find out books fascinating and I collect them and I show people with dementia old annuals from the past and I collect everything going and I really enjoy your videos they are very helpful Hope your well?
You’ve really made me think about older books in particular non fiction. Like you I don’t know much about William and Mary although I am fascinated by the Stuarts. As a child I wanted to be a librarian because I wanted to use the date stamp! I loved the sound. Nowadays I think I might have really enjoyed it, for the books.
I wouldn't want people to think 'it doesn't matter about the condition' with first editions the condition is everything. A tiny rip in a dust jacket makes a difference. I have never met a more fussy set of collectors than book collectors and it only seems to be the Fine or very fine condition books that make the big money
You’re right, but what I meant was, don’t judge a book by its cover! If it’s in poor condition, but a first edition, it can still be worth good money. Cheers D
Oh David, thank you for this interesting video! I love books and in particular, old books. I was looking at an auction site last evening, here in Canada, and there was a first edition book that caught my eye. Sadly, I was too late in bidding and missed out on it. Having said that, I'd be VERY interested in this book of William of Orange. (💗hint-hint LoL). Side note: As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a huge fan of *The Antiques Road Trip* and it was such fun and delightful to see you and Louise. I really like how you educate the viewer and my goodness, you've got a keen eye for what is popular and will easily sell! (ie, that sweet dog painting. Who knew?) All the items you selected were impressive purchases,...well, except for maybe the Eastern religious brass items. (HaHa!) Just wish there was more filming of the show in Ireland. (I lived and travelled in Ireland for a year and there's so many fabulous antique shops throughout the country.) 💗Have a fabulous week David. xo
Hi David! My goal at Peterborough and Newark fairs this year is to find the oldest Book of Common Prayer I can find. Old books are wonderful…the way they feel and that SMELL. I always like to think about who may have read them before me.
It would be interesting to know how old is the one you find. I am clearing out my mum’s house and found a 1st WW bible that belonged to a relative. PS have just found the book of common prayer but can’t find a date. It has A Soldier’s prayer pasted into the inside cover so I imagine it’s also 1st WW. Printed by William Clowes & Sons Cockspur St London SW
I do love old books, I was lucky enough to get my hands on an original print of The Gentlemen's House; How to Plan a Country Residence, by Robert Kerr from 1871 it has fold out pages to show these huge floorplans and drawings. I got it for £25 because a page was missing with all the pages it would £400 and £25 is cheaper than reprints (which are utterly awful as some ape has just photocopied the pages without opening up the fold out bits, so don't buy a modern reprint, if you are interested in this book). Also hand written on a couple of my books pages is architects fees and inventory for a house which presumably has or had a neo-classical portico, the clients were a bit stingy as they went for the cheapest style, although they did get a medium priced toilet, they had two stalls in their stable as well. Unfortunately I don't know what the name of the house is, but to think somewhere there is a grand country house and stables that used my book is amazing. For authenticity there is even an 1800s fly that has been squished between two of the pages. The language in the book is so elequant and has very strong opinions, it's quite funny seeing him go on half page rants about peoples poor interior design choices. So I have to concur about the writing style, I think because there were fewer mediums to learn, making reading essential, that would have improved your ability to write yourself, as adding on top it was the only medium to express to a wide audience, except a theatre and few other ways.
Great to see you at Matlock Bath! Been to Matlock Antiques & Collectables many times where I take my son to the basement book section to find some stunning books. He is now a avid collector, and has a growing collection of historic books you just can't get anymore. Keep up the great work! Carl
I have a collection of antique books dating back to the late 1700's and also enjoy finding little gems tucked away on shelves in bookstores and auctions. Favourite? Probably my signed copy of The History of The Great War, autographed by Canadian fighter ace Billy (Wiliam Avery) Bishop. A local boy born only 20 miles from my home, in Owen Sound , Ontario.
Thanks for the tips, as I currently help out in a church thrift shop, so a timely reminder to check "that tatty old thing". Warning: live in Melbourne Australia - potentially expensive postage
William of Orange has some resonance with some folks here - those rare few into "Pilgrim Century" antiques. William and Mary fits into that. . In this country, an old book like that might be a "library discard" - a book determined to be too old to stay in the collection or too un-used to be worth keeping around. If it's not marked... it might still be officially library property. Not that they'd want it back at this point; I'd bet there are far better books on King William around by now.
I knew the relationships between W&M and KCII, but that is about all I know. If you love your ancient history then History of the World is an interesting book to read. Not as dry as you might expect, though it won't be for everyone.
That would take thousands of hours going through every different book and condition! Find first edition’s and then I’m afraid it’s huge Google searching for their values