My sons wanted to go to the library across the street today. As we were leaving I stuck my head in a book store they have there where they sell books that for whatever reason are no longer needed in the library. I couldn't believe my luck, here is what I got:
"The Encyclopedia of Motor Sport" Edited by G.N.Georgano, Forward by Stirling Moss 1971 Incredible pictures throughout. $5
"American Automobile Racing - An Illustrated History" Albert R. Bochroch 1974 Also incredible pictures $3
"Stock Car Race Fan's Reference Guide" 1999 $3 (okay at this point I was grabbing whatever I could find on automotive racing, but still it has some great shots of bare nascar chassis and car construction).
Quite a haul for $14 don't you think?
Chuck
Scored some great bargains at the library book store today!
Started by
chuckbrandt
, Nov 16 2008 03:53
13 replies to this topic
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#2
David Birchall
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 04:20
In these days of book dealers being able to check the price of a book in seconds on the internet, the chance of a find like yours is remote. Well done!
#3
john winfield
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 09:16
Chuck,
Great stuff - well done! Chancing across book bargains is a real delight isn't it?
At an English country fair twelve years ago I found four Autocourses, 1971-1974 for £1 each! Somehow I don't think that will happen again, but you never know........
Great stuff - well done! Chancing across book bargains is a real delight isn't it?
At an English country fair twelve years ago I found four Autocourses, 1971-1974 for £1 each! Somehow I don't think that will happen again, but you never know........
#4
chuckbrandt
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 13:16
Yes that was very fun. I was mostly excited to get the books that I did, the price was a huge bonus. That sort of thing doesn't usually happen to me, it's usually more of a "price and a half" situation with things I'm after 
.
Chuck
.Chuck
#5
B Squared
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 13:28
Well done Chuck!
"The Encyclopedia of Motor Sport" Edited by G.N.Georgano, Forward by Stirling Moss 1971 Incredible pictures throughout. $5
Dad & Mom got me this one for part of Christmas in 1972. Have referred to it many times in the ensuing years. I had flown down to Orlando, Fl in 1998 for the Disney IndyCar race. A memoribilia dealer had a huge selection of racing books that he didn't want to carry around any longer. Some with $30 - $40 price tags on them. As the show wound down, I got the lot for $100. I then had to buy two suitcases to get them all home! What a deal. They do happen from time to time.
Brian
"The Encyclopedia of Motor Sport" Edited by G.N.Georgano, Forward by Stirling Moss 1971 Incredible pictures throughout. $5
Dad & Mom got me this one for part of Christmas in 1972. Have referred to it many times in the ensuing years. I had flown down to Orlando, Fl in 1998 for the Disney IndyCar race. A memoribilia dealer had a huge selection of racing books that he didn't want to carry around any longer. Some with $30 - $40 price tags on them. As the show wound down, I got the lot for $100. I then had to buy two suitcases to get them all home! What a deal. They do happen from time to time.
Brian
#6
red stick
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 16:36
Nicely done.
I got a copy of the Georgano book a year or so ago on eBay and have enjoyed it. Can't remember what I paid for it: wasn't a small fortune, but it certainly was more than $5.
Those finds are rare in my area of the country. I've searched used book stores, garage sales, church sales, etc., over the years and just haven't seen that many racing books, or automobile books at all. I've been very thankful for eBay, Alibris, and the occasional Motorbooks.com sale.
I got a copy of the Georgano book a year or so ago on eBay and have enjoyed it. Can't remember what I paid for it: wasn't a small fortune, but it certainly was more than $5.
Those finds are rare in my area of the country. I've searched used book stores, garage sales, church sales, etc., over the years and just haven't seen that many racing books, or automobile books at all. I've been very thankful for eBay, Alibris, and the occasional Motorbooks.com sale.
#7
COUGAR508
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 17:09
Originally posted by john winfield
Chuck,
Great stuff - well done! Chancing across book bargains is a real delight isn't it?
At an English country fair twelve years ago I found four Autocourses, 1971-1974 for £1 each! Somehow I don't think that will happen again, but you never know........
Maybe it is just my imagination, but I never find bargain motorsports books like I did ten to fifteen years ago. After Christmas, in sales at the major bookstores, you could usually reckon on picking up top notch books for less than £5! The only chance we have now is at the dedicted bargain bookstore chains, or on the internet.
#8
red stick
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 17:17
Originally posted by COUGAR508
Maybe it is just my imagination, but I never find bargain motorsports books like I did ten to fifteen years ago. After Christmas, in sales at the major bookstores, you could usually reckon on picking up top notch books for less than £5! The only chance we have now is at the dedicted bargain bookstore chains, or on the internet.
I don't think it's your imagination. The advantage of the net is it's easier to obtain books you otherwise would never see. The disadvantage is that it's relatively easy for a seller to find both the market price for a book and a buyer. A net gain I think for book buyers, but it tends to make the outrageous bargains very few and far between. Which makes Chuck's experience all the more noteworthy.
#9
kayemod
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 22:49
Originally posted by COUGAR508
After Christmas, in sales at the major bookstores, you could usually reckon on picking up top notch books for less than £5!
They wouldn't fit my definition of 'top notch', but there are going to be an awful lot of Lewis Hamilton books going "Cheep!!" after Christmas this year.
#10
RA Historian
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 22:54
Chuck............stop giggling!Originally posted by red stick
Which makes Chuck's experience all the more noteworthy.
Tom
#11
dretceterini
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Posted 16 November 2008 - 23:40
In 40 years of collecting automotive literature, I've only been able to get about a half-dozen books total from the library.. Good find!
#12
COUGAR508
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Posted 17 November 2008 - 09:35
Originally posted by kayemod
They wouldn't fit my definition of 'top notch', but there are going to be an awful lot of Lewis Hamilton books going "Cheep!!" after Christmas this year.
Or perhaps to rephrase it, a lot of awful Lewis Hamilton books!
#13
Terry Walker
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Posted 17 November 2008 - 09:58
Yes, Private Eye had a list of at least 5 Lewis Hamilton bios, only one of which was selling in any numbers. The discerning public recognised that the others were cut-and-past quickies.
#14
HiRich
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Posted 17 November 2008 - 12:06
I think you overestimate some of our (British) councils. Private Eye, again, has been covering how the usual suspects seem to consider libraries and reading a very 20th Century concept, and have been happily skipping collections to make space for coffee bars and creches. Large collections of rare books and sheet music are being binned, with no consideration for their possible value, cultural or monetary. Some crafty dealers have made a mint by hovering like vultures.Originally posted by David Birchall
In these days of book dealers being able to check the price of a book in seconds on the internet, the chance of a find like yours is remote. Well done!
Even if the more sensible library staff realise there's some value, they have been prevented from acting sensibly and becoming an eBay trader.
Whilst unlikely, there are deals out there. If my local library were more than a little satellite, I'd certainly audit the shelves for interesting opportunites. Just in case.
