Posted by When I go book hunting I typically don’t look them up at the venue to see if they have any decent resale value. I just let myself have fun and choose the books that I think will sell in my store based on prior sales and what I personally find intriguing. Now I know some booksellers would be aghast at my cavalier, reckless way of selecting books to sell (“clutching their pearls” so to speak), but it generally works for me.
So Saturday I was at the bargain room of my library’s monthly sale. As I perused the shelves I started throwing books in my two bags–some for myself, some to sell. Here’s my thinking on what I bagged…
This “The Oxford Book of Garden Flowers” had a couple things going for it. First it’s a flower book, lavishly illustrated. Plus it was printed in 1968 so it will be a bit more scarce now. And third it’s from England so possibly not as common here in the U.S.
These two 1950s paperbacks were just a bit of fun, apparently about young love and torment–the usual teenaged angst! I’ll sell them together.
This 1955 interior design book by William Pahlmann gives a wonderful glimpse into the decor of the early ’50s. Most of it seems traditional style rather than the more appealing mid-century modern, but the book was signed and I thought worth a try. Turns out it’s a first edition, and the only other 1955 one I could find for sale (also signed) is listed for $150. I’ve listed mine for $90.
I did think this living room is starting to verge on some MCM elements with the rug and skinny-leg tables and the cool batik print on the wall. Pahlmann was known for his eclecticism, but this room feels a bit disjointed to me.
This 1965 “Cloud Walkers” book by Paddy Sherman features eccentric mountain climbers doing their thing on various Canadian mountains. Thought someone would enjoy reading about their adventures. (I’ll list this for $18.)
This cloth-covered book “Home Owners’ Catalogs” (circa 1940s/50s) is a compilation of various adverts from companies who produce items for homes, along with checklists and ideas. It is a great time capsule into the latest mod cons and lifestyle of that era. (I’ll list this for $35.)
Those are a few of the books I bought to sell in my Etsy store. Total paid: $10.
Will they all sell? Likely the majority of them will though slowly. Currently I only sell about five to eight books a month. Still I plan on building up my book inventory moving forward because they are something I can find easily and cheaply–and frankly I like books. I have since I learned to read in first grade.
Wishing you happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 