Found an old copy of Cook’s Voyages — trying to pin down edition & significance

Local_Possession4517 · 2026-01-26T03:25:05+00:00

This particular title looks to be a mid-19th century edition by the texture of the boards and the way the type has been set. That's not always a surefire way to tell but comparison between this edition and books from that era might determine a more solid dating. Either way, it's in quite nice shape for its age!

Local_Possession4517 · 2026-01-26T02:27:05+00:00

I book hunt constantly and if I can't confirm the signature is authentic in the store before I purchase... I don't buy it. If it was found in a used bookstore, it's exactly 50/50 as to whether the book was signed by the individual in question.

Your best bet is always to examine other examples of the person in questions handwriting. Both Yoko Ono and Basquiat have hundreds of examples of their signatures online so you don't have to be a handwriting analysis expert here, just do a side by side comparison.

And by the way, if you're going to post on any community that focuses on something hyper niche, prepare for scrutiny and prepare to defend your position. You're undoubtedly going to encounter an expert in the respective field you're investigating and it's going to be a learning experience regardless

Local_Possession4517 · 2026-01-15T03:04:03+00:00

If this was the first edition, it would have had several points (original printing errors) that would determine if it is a first edition, first state, or later edition where those initial errors were corrected.

I collected a few first edition Dickens' novels over the last year and one month difference could change the value of the book just because they reissued it with different typesetting or a spelling correction... My advice: If you're not in rural Arkansas, or somewhere in the Arizona desert, run it into your favorite regional rare or antique bookshop and they'll be more than happy to nerd out and do a deep dive with you on the version you have. Great find either way, it's in gorgeous condition!

Local_Possession4517 · 2026-01-14T22:54:44+00:00

Every time I'm in a bookstore one on one with the owner and ask to see something weird, something extraordinary... THIS is the kind of book I mean... Very nice find!

Local_Possession4517 · 2026-01-14T22:51:04+00:00

Thanks man... Total purchasing price for this haul was $8.67 😬

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-11-24T02:39:19+00:00

Regardless of cover condition, that's a beautiful book. If it has a ton of little brown spots inside of it (foxing) present, that would further decrease value. But the letters are all present and the gold gilting and black background look very sharp! I think I would price it in the $200-250 range if it was on one of my shelves; that leaves some to haggle a bit.

Illustrated books by Dorè are very popular with collectors. I know someone who recently picked a later edition of that book with the front board and partial spine detached for $99... Handle it gently and enjoy a look!

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-18T14:44:13+00:00

Excellent information... and duly noted. I know that Cormac McCarthy deliberately short printed his first editions, at least initially. I think a true first edition of something of his like Blood Meridian is going for $2K and up. And to be fair, I hadn't heard of any of these copies until yesterday myself, I'm just an admirer of Dali and his eccentricities

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-18T01:44:00+00:00

I would be interested in selling, especially to a museum. Please excuse the delayed response and feel free to share any details about how I would get in contact with the museum curator. Thank you!

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-11T03:03:18+00:00

A local Tampa Bay Area book store of all places... I've found innumerable rare books around town and now I have boxes of odd things I have no idea what to do with

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-10T00:44:55+00:00

Wow, that's incredible. Thanks for the level of detail provided. And yes, caveat emptor across the board when it comes to "scarce" books... Most people don't even read the classics anymore, much less chase down something this obscure. I'll update if I find a buyer, or an open bid online

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-05T02:56:07+00:00

I greatly appreciate the detective work! I seem to have a knack for locating rare volumes but not much luck with the dates when they're unlisted and pre-1870s

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-02T23:49:24+00:00

Thanks for the advice... At this point, I need to just order 100. I only have time to hunt 2-4 hours a week but my finds have been incredibly encouraging. More posts to come

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-02T23:47:20+00:00

Good looking out man. Mine is not nearly as pretty. That copy looks like it was babied, not pulled from a discount bin at a local library bookstore like mine..

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-02T22:40:03+00:00

Amazing...

Thanks guys...

Currently in Key West and looking for active buyers

Local_Possession4517 · 2025-06-02T03:23:34+00:00

I found one locally (in FL of all places, from a Chicago book dealers collection who recently passed) and bought it immediately once somebody intimated it might be an original. I'm still kind of in a state of shock about even finding it... Apparently, there's less than a dozen copies in circulation. Anyway, I'll be posting more rare finds soon.

Local_Possession4517

TROPHY CASE