Ran across some old books...need more info

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DB731

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Feb 10, 2013
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I have 3 old books, illustrated fiction, in German with English intro, from 1914, 1915, and 1880. The one from 1880 is all German it looks like.

Took some pics of them, and I was wondering where would be a good place online to see what I have (junk vs something interesting)?



PS the 1915 one is Wilhelm Tell, the other two I can't figure out the font.
 
(I offer my knowledge gained from 1.5 years working in WA's biggest used book store)

Well for starters, we can rule out junk in a whole lot of ways. If it's not a first edition, it's not worth much more than any other newer book, and it's worth that to a much smaller niche of buyers.

If it's not in great shape, it might not be worth much even if it was a first edition of a popular book. Things to look at are the dust jacket (if it has one - books that old generally don't, even if they were printed with them) is it ripped/creased or stained with anything? Same with the cover - look at the edges if it's a hardcover, they can get dinged up over the decades.

If the outside looks fine, check inside. Does the binding look intact? The most notable issue is dried out glue. You'll hear the book crack as you open it if this is an issue. The cover can also become loosened from the pages without actually breaking. Also check the inside edge of the cover where it meets the spine of the book - the pages often start to tear out at that spot. Finally, check the pages themselves. Are any of them falling out? Are they dog-eared or creased? Has someone written in the book or hi-lighted anything?

If none of that is an issue, you've probably got a book that's at least worth a few bucks. The only trouble then will be finding someone who either collects or buys-to-sell old books.


If you want to figure out what exactly you have, an easy way is to search on Amazon.com for the book. Type in the publisher, author's last name, type of binding (hardcover/paperback), and the title. You should get a fairly short list of books, hopefully with your exact copy in it.




Also, could you post pictures of them? I personally collect old books (but I'm broke, so I won't offer to buy them. Sorry :p)
 
There is a Google Translator that works in camera mode , could help to figure out that you have.
My 2 cents:p
 
DB731 said:
I have 3 old books, illustrated fiction, in German with English intro, from 1914, 1915, and 1880. The one from 1880 is all German it looks like.

Took some pics of them, and I was wondering where would be a good place online to see what I have (junk vs something interesting)?



PS the 1915 one is Wilhelm Tell, the other two I can't figure out the font.
Click to expand...

I'd be interested in pictures as well. If they are from the WWI years (1914-1918), these books may be books meant for German POWs held in prison camps.
 
After a bit of research the Wilhelm tell is worth about 15 bucks according to amazon, Now on the other hand, Pole Poppenspäler is written by Theodor Storm who is one of the more recognized German Authors, Sadly the one you have is not a first edition because it was first released in 1874, Not to sure of the value tho. Now the last one, Milwaukeer Lesebuch has got me really confused because I speak a bit of German and the translation for that doesnt make a lot of sense. I would really love to know the authors name, That would help!

I just noticed in the last picture, The bottom Line with the date says Milwaukee. This could be related to George Brumder who was a German American News paper publisher at the time in Milwaukee who also Published books for the German Community, Altho I cant find a lot of information on his publishing's , A book titled Das Erste Milwaukeer Lesebuch was apparently published by him in 1880, Do some research on him and you will find he was actually a very important person at the time. If any of them are going to be worth something I think it will be that one.
 
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The 1914 Pole Poppenspäler is listed on Amazon for around $30. This doesn't mean it's actually worth that much, but it's likely a good starting point since there are 4 copies from 4 sources in that price range.
 
Thanks, man. I will have a bookstore look at them as well as a couple of antique shops.
 
Your photographs are quite revealing. Those are mass market trade books, cheaply printed on wood pulp paper. They are not collectors' items. Eventually they will become too brittle to handle, but if treated gently, they may be readable for another generation. I have a set of Dickens like that which I purchased many years ago for $30. It is undated, but a previous owner used a postcard to keep his place, and it is postmarked 1892. I do not think anyone will read these books after me.

Reading copies of German literary classics are worth a little more than my Dickens set or old Penguin paperbacks, simply because German books are a little more expensive than English language books. German readers are less numerous than English readers, and press runs are smaller. Also, Germany is still burdened with a Nazi-era law banning retail discounting in the book trade. That keeps used book prices a little higher.

Storm's Pole Poppenspäler (Paul the Puppeteer) is a well-loved German childrens' classic. Nowadays Schiller's plays are as popular as Walter Scott's long poems, but not doubt someone is still reading them.

I suspect that your textbook of German language readings was published for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. They worked to preserve the language in their immigrant congregations as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America does today. I would try donating this book to the Wisconsin Historical Society. It has no value as a book, but it may be of value to them as a museum exhibit. If they accept it, ask for a receipt. If you itemize deductions, you may be able to use it to reduce your income tax.
 
Maybe not everyone in the Busse family is into blades ;)
It's a quite common name in Germany though
 
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