Price for booklet from 1918

[lindy3327]

Hi all was wondering if some one could could give  me a idea of what a booklet on fancy work conatining knitting crochet and embroidery from 1918 would be worth please thank you

[chameleon54]

Hi, 1918 is not really very old in book terms. Value varies greatly depending on condition, rarity, wether the book is a first edition, wether the author was well known and collectable or some-one that collectors have not heard of. For this type of book, the quality of the book itself would be important. Is it bound in stamped leather bindings, gilt coloured ornate fabric or card bindings, art nouveu or deco style, designs, large or small size etc. Is it full of ornate photos and drawings or fairly basic in design and style. If plain design, small size and poor condition it would only be worth a few dollars. If very ornate and large size, maybe printed on hand made paper with beautifull bindings in excellant condition it could be worth $100 or more to a specialist collector. To bring this sort of money it would need to be a something really special. Its almost impossible to give an accurate idea of value without photos and detailed description. The subject matter is quite good and there would certianly be people who would collect books on this subject.  It may be best to list it for auction with a starting price set at the minimum you would accept. You may get a pleasant suprise if it is a nice book.

[chameleon54]

Just another thought. You say the book contains knitting, crochet, embroidery and fancy work. My previous remarks are based on this being the subject matter, rather than actual samples of fancy work. There are rare books where young woman put together collections of samples of their own handywork. These where used as a reference for seeking work as seamstesses for the aristocracy or for other employment opputunities in the field. These books where usually hand made, maybe more basic in design, but are highly collectable. If the fancy work is highly detailed and of high quality, a book of this type would be worth many hundreds maybe even a thousand dollars.

[davewil1964]

BookFinder

Try here. It has available prices for copies of almost every book ever published.

[i-love-my-sheep]

I'm glad you said 'almost', the book I searched for wasn't there! 

[curraone]

perhaps you could ask in the books forum?   someone there may have a better idea

[putney32]

if its an australian pattern book probably start it at auction around $25

if its english then maybe a bit less

what's the title?

[lindy3327]

Thank you everyone for your helpful replys.Sorry i made a mistake i would say booklet because it only has 38 pages.It contains actual patterns of items to make.It does not have rips or tears but has page staining i was just interested.

Interesting comment in the first page. Owing to renewed restrictions on paper,and greatly increased cost of production,we are reluctantly obliged to raise the price to 6d.....Boy they would get a shock on the cost of things today.