Life long book collection for sale

[Phil Babb]

Hi all, I have come to the decision to sell my collection of approximately 800 naval and maritime , ship construction books.

These I have built up over 45 years,  a few date from the early 1880, some earlier, then through the years to some modern ones.

I will only sell the  whole collection, I will not split.

If anyone is interested I can send, email a list.

Regards Phil

[bruce d]

Hello Phil,

May I suggest you let us know where you are based?

 

Regards,

Bruce

 

[James H]

Yes, please pos your location, titles of books and a figure you are looking at for them.

[Phil Babb]

2 hours ago, bruce d said:

Hello Phil,

May I suggest you let us know where you are based?

 

Regards,

Bruce

 

Hi, so sorry, near Birmingham UK

[Phil Babb]

Hi, I am just at the moment seeing if there is interest in the whole collection, as you can imagine there is to many to keep typing out, so I would put a list together to send out.

I have posted on another site as well.

Regards Phil

[Chuck]

How the hell do you ship an 800 volume book collection.  It would cost a fortune.  Yes indeed it sounds a bit sketchy.  Doesnt make sense.   
 

unless someone lives within driving distance this is just not a very good idea.  Especially sight unseen.  Take some pictures maybe.

 

I have this bridge….not that one…its a smaller bridge.  But its for sale and only in its entirety.  Buyer must make arrangements for delivery.
 

 

[ccoyle]

Hi, Phil.

 

If it sounds like folks are reacting a bit harshly, take time to consider what it looks like from a potential buyer's perspective. You're offering a large number of books while giving very little information about them -- no titles, no photos, no estimated value, no asking price. As has been said, shipping such a large number of books as a single lot would be an expensive proposition in itself. If you absolutely won't consider selling your collection in smaller lots, you may be facing a very tough sell.

[mtaylor]

Hmm... might be better off to find a used book dealer in your area, Phil.  Or a library to donate them to.  Or maybe a combo... have the book dealer come in and see what they want then donate the rest.  Not sure about Blighty but on this side of the pond, donations to libraries are tax deductible.  Thus, you make a some quid by selling some and save on taxes by donating.

[glbarlow]

And, can probably Google it all. I can’t imagine buying 800 books at any price, what would I do with them. Good luck not being willing to break up the collection. 
 

The best option is donating to a library, but finding one that would take that many books would be a chore. 

[Jaager]

There is a sort of Catch 22 involved.

Anyone interested would already have their own library. Buying duplicates, especially at near retail?

A beginner?,  not unless they are foolishly rich.

Books of the sort in question are not an investment.

 

When my number comes up, I figure that a bequest that my library is kept as a whole will also require a substantial trust be included to maintain it as such. 

[Cathead]

20 minutes ago, Jaager said:

Anyone interested would already have their own library. Buying duplicates, especially at near retail?

A beginner?,  not unless they are foolishly rich.

Books of the sort in question are not an investment.

My thoughts exactly. Looking for a unicorn buyer. It's possible a modeling club could be interested, as a way to maintain a lending library, but it'd have to be a pretty substantial club.