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Anyone know someone who deals in rare books? (signed Neil Gaiman 1st edition w/sketch by the author)

Dr.Sascha
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I recently found, in a Montevideo bookstore, a signed 1st edition of Neil Gaiman's The Kindly Ones with an interior sketch by the author. I understand it might be worth a fair bit (similar copies on Abe books go for over $1000).

Does anyone know anyone in the book business that I could talk to for advice? Trying to decide whether to keep it or sell it and if the latter, how. And please no "just put it on Ebay!" I'd like to speak to someone with professional experience on this.

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mseamaster
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Dr.Sascha Dr.Sascha
I recently found, in a Montevideo bookstore, a signed 1st edition of Neil Gaiman's The Kindly Ones with an interior sketch by the author. I understand it might be worth a fair bit (similar copies on Abe books go for over $1000).

Does anyone know anyone in the book business that I could talk to for advice? Trying to decide whether to keep it or sell it and if the latter, how. And please no "just put it on Ebay!" I'd like to speak to someone with professional experience on this.

WhatsApp Image 2024-08-18 at 17.31.20.jpeg WhatsApp Image 2024-08-18 at 18.43.37.jpeg
I don't know a good dealer of antique books.. but I've met dealers looking to buy vintage books for peanuts and resell. Lots of people like that.

They would often look for such books near trash sites too when someone buys an apartment and trashes most of what's in it.

They would also buy vintage books off of people who literally scour trash bins for them, again super cheap.

Of course there might be good dealers too, just I think most aren't.
 
pdxleaf
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You could try an auction house like rrauction.com or heritage auctions, ha.com

They sell a lot of signed items.
 
ErichPryde
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If you were in the Portland area I'd recommend Chapparal books. I've dealt with the owner and find him to be reasonable, and he does buy rare/signed books. If you are trying to sell it to a reseller, you aren't likely going to get more than 30 to 50% of what it is actually going to sell for.

Another option: some places might be willing to connect you to a potential buyer. There's a Seattle book buyer/seller that does this...

Otherwise-ebay. I know you didn't want that option but it's a Gaiman book, it will sell.
 
kkt
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Dreamhaven Books in Minneapolis has a fair amount of Gaiman material, both new and old, and if you're interested in selling it to a dealer they would be worth a call. Usual caveats apply - they are in business, and paying less than they would sell it for is how they stay in business.
 
sheepdoll
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I used to assist the Antiquarian Book dealer at the Dickens Fair. A lot of it is highly specialized. The bulk of it is sold by the yard to interior decorators. Bindings and condition matter even more so than watches.

I got into collecting a bit myself. Technical stuff, and victorian literature. I have original Dickens parts. My oldest book date to 1773. There used to be these walk in places called bookstores. There were also mailing lists, and the catalogs of estate sales could be books unto themselves.

Selling books can be a bit tricky. Amazon pretty much cornered the market. Most independents deal with them and the ABE (Advanced Book exchange.) Selling really is a volume business. Book collectors also tend to be hoarders. Who ever has that single book collection?
 
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