"A Private Car" book for sale

[serena]

Hello - I have one of the Limited Edition (1998) numbered sets, still in the binder, that I wish to sell.

The books and binder are pristine - apart from a smudge (less than 1 inch square) on the spine of the "The Image" cover. Both books are otherwise in perfect condition.

Can anyone please give me an idea of what price I should ask for this, and whether eBay is the best place to look for a buyer? Any suggestions, very gratefully received (assuming they are polite suggestions, that is :-)) ) Many thanks.

[Showfer]

Hi Serena,
could I be the first (of many, no doubt) to express an interest in purchasing your books when you have decided on a suitable price.
regards,
Les Middleton.
p.s.
Do you have any other Bristol items which you wish to sell?

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by serena

Can anyone please give me an idea of what price I should ask for this, and whether eBay is the best place to look for a buyer?

Serena,
The book is still available new from Pallawan Press for £300, so obviously this needs to be taken into account when pricing a secondhand copy.

There are usually one or two copies on the market via www.abe.com but I've just had a look and there aren't any for sale right now, so it might be a good time to sell

eBay is not a particularly good way to sell relatively rare books, unless you get multiple bidders - only then will you achieve the best price. If you do list it on eBay I suggest you set a reasonably high starting price or reserve and mention it on this forum to attract the attention of what is a relatively small market.

You could also try selling it through Amazon, but I have no idea how their system works for private sellers, I suspect they take a hefty commission.

[serena]

Hi Kevin - thanks so much for your very helpful response.

Les, thank you for your interest.

I have had 2 replies to my post from members who may be interested in buying the set (one from Les, 'on-board' and a message from another member 'off-board'). As there are members of this site who might want to purchase the set, I think the right thing to do is to try to figure out a fair price and offer it to members of this site initially, on a 'first-refusal' basis.

Tomorrow I will photograph the spine of 'The Image' to show the mark on the binding. It isn't very pronounced -- but having said that, I am very ashamed that it is marked at all. I was unpacking a lot of boxes and didn't realise the Bristol books were amongst them, and I think the mark on the binding happened when I was unpacking.

Anyway, I will post the photo, and if anyone knows what these normally fetch on re-sale, perhaps they could kindly let me know.

Thank you very much again, Kevin H. for your help. And thank you also, Les for your message.

[serena]

Sorry, Les - I just realised I didn't answer your question.
The answer is, no, sadly I haven't got any other Bristol items for sale.
It would be wonderful to be a collector, but sadly I'm not in the league that can make collections of fine motor cars.

Not yet, anyway :-))

[John Keighley]

Serena,
It would be wonderful if you can offer it for sale within the Forum before going to the outside sites. Just think of the bidding war you could start off right here! Seroiusly, it is a book that any Bristol person would be happy to include in their collection
John Keighley.

[RGSchmitt]

At least one copy is for sale on http://used.addall.com/

[serena]

Thanks Brian -- If Palawan are still selling the 1998 Limited Edition, then the prices on the AddALL site for the original edition are pretty stratospheric.

[RGSchmitt]

"RGSchmitt, it was very kind of you to post the link to the AddALL
Rare Books site. There seem not to be any listed anywhere
else. Thank you very much for your help."

You are very welcome. I have only bought a few books from the
sellers listed on addall. However, earlier this year I found
"Bristol Cars and Engines" for $42 from a near local seller. The
copy is ex Azusa public library, but that was noted. A few years
ago, I found "The Chain Drive Frazer Nash" from a Scottish
bookseller, otherwise specializing in birding! Also a good price.

I think it's one of the best "unknown" Internet websites.

Bob Schmitt
Burbank, California

[serena]

Here are the photos as promised.

Just a few points :-

1) I have tried to photograph the flaws as clearly as I can. I would just say, that whilst the marks on the buckram slip cover look very pronounced in the close-up photo, that photo was taken in strong daylight. In normal light, the marks are hardly noticeable, as you can see in photo 7, for example.


2) Given that my copy is not 100% condition, and that new copies are available for £300, I thought I would invite bids from a starting price of £150.00

I hope members of this forum think that a reasonable starting price, but I must admit that I would hope to get at least £200 - as apart from the mark on the spine of 'The Image', the books themselves are in superb condition.

3) If bidding doesn't reach £200, I may make a 1-week listing of them on eBay with a reserve price and if bidding on eBay doesn't reach the reserve, I will contact whoever has put in the highest bid here, to offer them the book. I hope that sounds fair.

4) If anyone does want to bid or to contact me by email rather than on-site, please feel free to do so.

If bids over £150 come by email rather than on-site, I will copy the email to Kevin so that he can confirm increased bids if any other member asks him to do so. I hope that is alright with Kevin - if not, Kevin, can you nominate someone to verify bids, or suggest what procedure would be preferable.

5) If the set is to be sent by post or courier, it will be wrapped in acid-free paper and bubblewrap, then into a strong packaging box before it is dispatched. It will have to be insured for £250 minimum. I will pay the first £10 of postal / delivery costs ; balance to be paid by winner of auction. If winner wishes to collect (from Dorking), you are very welcome to, or I can deliver within Surrey / West Sussex or SW London. Payment preferably by cheque or bank transfer.

6) Bidding is open until Sunday, 19th September 2010, 9.00 p.m. (21.00 BST)

(BST is 'British Summer Time' - which is one hour forward from GMT, for those living in further climes)


Well, sincerest thanks to everyone who has pitched in to help, and especially to Kevin of course for all the information and all the work he has put in to make the site so spiffin'.


Well, in the immortal words - - (as this may be my only chance to use them ) - -


" Gentlemen, please place your bids "



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