[Delphinium]

It is amazing to me at times that even very old books in fairly good condition aren't really worth a lot.

Maybe there are too many of them around?

[fqued]

in response to:
It is amazing to me at times that even very old books in fairly good condition aren't really worth a lot.
you wrote:
Maybe there are too many of them around?

Actually, scarcity does not translate into value. a great example is Newfoundland silver coins vs. US silver dollars. Far fewer Newfoundland silver dimes of various years were minted, but value is not high because so few people collect them. But if you have a US silver dollar that had 300,000 minted, your beat up old coin holds value because so many people collect US silver dollars.

I have sold many very rare and scarce antiquarian books. some were worth hundreds of dollars, others a fraction of that.

It all comes down to the simple concept of supply and demand. an old book that more people want than the ready supply allows is very valuable. a much rarer book that few people care about has little value.