How would you grade and repair this book? Would you repair it?

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How would you grade and repair this book? Would you repair it?

1RickFlair
Modificato: Ago 10, 2020, 8:53 pm

I just bought the oldest book in my collection to date. A 1930's Heritage Press New York, Frankenstein.

The book was listed as "Fine and undamaged" condition. Is this fine to you? It certainly isn't undamaged. I want to get feedback from more experienced users and make sure I didn't overpay. It was $75 with no slipcase.

These are the flaws I found:

Splits on end paper seams inside front and back cover. I attached pictures of this flaw below. Is this normal for it's age and would you repair it?
Minor spot of soiling on front cover, top center, which is kind of hard to see in the picture below
Age toning of most pages. The entire text block is uniformly and firmly age toned when the book is closed and you view the book from the side.
A few very minor dog ears which I should be able to straighten out with a bone folder and just a touch of distilled water

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aZALQQRD17dTK1Tf722Cl7axJ4jpihJz/view?usp=shari...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iMTMjL6jew4yk5esbhIn_ekT-xj0vff3/view?usp=shari...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k_HEm-34Panyrz6bUidAnwyivZu9bGlo/view?usp=shari...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PWrDieGWVl7A-rzjg5e2wdUUSE4HY7td/view?usp=shari...

2lilithcat
Ago 10, 2020, 8:08 pm

Abebooks defines "fine" as A Fine book approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. The book may have been opened and read, but there are no defects to the book, jacket or pages. I would not describe a book with splits on the end paper seams as having "no defects".

That said, it appears from the photos that those could easily be repaired with Japanese mending tissue.

3RickFlair
Modificato: Ago 10, 2020, 8:21 pm

I saw the Abe Books grading criteria but thought that maybe the criteria changes for books that are very old. But either way, my main concern is if I paid an appropriate price. The only other New York HP Frankenstein I can find is this one posted below for $100. It has an owners bookplate, sunned spine. But it does have the slipcase which mine does not.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30158332662&searchurl=pn%3...

4Glacierman
Ago 10, 2020, 10:08 pm

>1 RickFlair: That is not Fine. It is at best Good. Broken/starting hinges are a major defect and should have been included in the book's description. Although they can be repaired, unless one is experienced at such work and can do it oneself, it will require the services of a professional to do it properly and neatly and that will cost you more bucks. Not worth it in my opinion. Speaking for myself, even though I am capable of doing such repair work (and have before), I would much rather purchase a copy that does not need repair. If I did buy a copy in the condition you show here, I would expect to pay far less than $75.00, even for a NY HP Frankenstein.

The book in question is not old enough to escape the rigors of the Fine/Very Good/etc. rating scale. Were it from an earlier era, one would describe the book in detail including any/all defects and eschew the F/VG/G scale. Even with that scale, defects should be mentioned/described. To fail to do so is, in my view, unethical. I'd get a refund and try again, even if it means waiting longer.

5MaryPieroCarey
Ago 10, 2020, 10:23 pm

That hint of a stain on the front cover might be a grease spot. I'd lay a spoon full of flour or baking soda on it for a few hours and then vacuum it off. It might do no good, but it is unlikely to do damage.

6RickFlair
Modificato: Ago 10, 2020, 11:01 pm

What would you pay to replace the end papers? It could be years before I find a first NY HP Frankenstein with no spine sunning. This book also has no owner's bookplates or writing inside. I just requested a partial refund for the cost of professional end paper replacement. I have no idea what it will cost but will call around tomorrow.

7kdweber
Ago 10, 2020, 11:37 pm

Listen to >4 Glacierman:, this book is not fine and not near fine. I would return it.

8Glacierman
Ago 10, 2020, 11:40 pm

>6 RickFlair: I can't say. Check with various bookbinders (Google is your friend) for a quote. They will need to see the book to be able give you a quote. Your photos will do the job. A starting point is http://www.bohemiobookbindery.com/book-repair.html

9abbottthomas
Ago 11, 2020, 5:14 am

>6 RickFlair: Most things, including books, are only “worth” what someone is prepared to pay for them. You obviously want to own this particular edition, so a thought experiment - you go into a second-hand book shop and find this one on a shelf with a $75 price tag: what are you going to say to the man on the cash desk?

10RickFlair
Ago 11, 2020, 4:17 pm

I returned it. I found another clean copy for $65. I can't believe it but I did find one. It had just been listed on ebay. Now, let's see what surprises this one will have. Although I asked the seller a lot of questions and requested extra pics so any surprises will be hidden very well!