Hi, thank you for your valuation. Abe Books has an identical item for sale at present, see

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Atoning-Years-Phillpotts-Adelaide-Eden/10459889105/bd

There is quite a difference between your valuation and that of Abe Books’ asking price (Pounds 20,000.00). Could you possibly comment on why you think the value is so low please?

Thanks,

Mike Elliot

Yes, what you are seeing on that listing is an ‘asking price’. It has not that has not been sold yet. A true sale value is based on actual past documented sale records. You can, however, ask any price you please on any item you own, the key factor being finding a buyer at your pricepoint.

I agree that it is only worth what someone will pay for it. However such a discrepancy between 100 pounds and 20,000 pounds seems to be a little excessive between two valuations. The Abe Books value appears to be based on rarity, I have to assume that they know the business they are in, whereas yours is based on past auction value. When was this rare book last sold at auction? As best as I can find there are only four or five copies of the book held in major museums worldwide. Thanks anyway for your valuation.
Mike E

The book is listed by an independent dealer and owner of a book volume, who has decided to place their own random value on the book that is based on what they want to be paid for it. The disparity is not in the valuation provided here, but in the seller's unrealistic asking price.

As you say it is only worth what someone will pay for it. I guess the question is really whether it is a rare desirable book or not. Perhaps the few museums that have a copy may be able to tell me why they have decided to keep a 100 pound book in their inventory and why it is considered by them as worth keeping. I’ll see what I can find out. Can you possibly provide any information on the book being sold at auction either recently or in the past on which you have determined your valuation please?. I am sure your valuation is based on the information you have available. I just need to try and understand which valuation is correct. Many thanks for your help with this. Mike E

In general, museums do not hold items in inventory because every item is deemed 'rare' or 'valuable'. Items are housed and cared for by museume institutions for a myriad of reasons, because they may have been bequeathed or donated. You have been provided a realistic fair market value of your book. It may be 'rare' however it is not worth $20,000.