One thing a good Urban Archeologist shouldn’t overlook is the occasional box or dusty shelf of books. No one knows how much longer wood pulp based books will exist, sadly, they seem destined to be undone by technology.
No, I don’t think e-books will cause hard and soft cover books to disappear overnight. For one thing, most of us don’t have the heart to throw out a book. Think of that unread copy of Moby Dick you’ve had on your shelf these past few years. That paperweight won’t ever leave. Sure, you wish it would, but there it sits resting on your conscience because it was a gift; you can’t throw out a gift.
But that may be a good thing, because we should all know that other than their intellectual or aesthetic value, books can become priceless antiques or collectibles that will only go up in value.
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First editions of “Gone With The Wind” are priced in the range of $9000 to $85000! These happen to be special copies signed by the author; add a few signatures by the film’s cast and you’ve got a top dollar copy.
Food for thought: What would an author do if you handed him or her a Kindle or Nook with their book on it and asked for an autograph?
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When it comes to how I value an old book, all I can say is “Don’t judge it by its cover.” It’s sometimes what’s inside a book that can be truly valuable.
The images above are just a few of the items I have found inside books while on a dig. I'll never find any of those things in an E-book.
Each one has it’s own story to tell or, yet to be told. Who's picture was taken after that important meeting? What was the protective Writers Association? How much is that Confederate bill worth? Help me tell their stories by reading the read of this post here.
