Q: This is one of thousands of books my son “inherited” when he purchased a neighbor’s home after he passed. My researching brought me to your website….we are trying to get an idea of the value of some of these so when we bring in a dealer, or whoever, we have some idea of the value. You probably already know this is from the Belles-Lettres series #50. Conversation by Thomas De Quincey, approx 5″x7″, silver on white, copyright 1896, 47 numbered pages. In great shape with a few marks on the back….maybe a stain or ?. We would appreciate any info you can give us as to a value. We are just getting started on this room full of books so there may be others of this series. Any suggestions as to good searching sites. We check Ebay but there’s such a range of prices….and I read your piece about the pricing and all it takes into account.

A: You have identified this book correctly. The 31 small books in this series were published in 1896-1897 with a number of different covers. See below for examples.

See also: Belles-Lettres Series

Even though your book is in nice shape, there is very little demand for the book in this series. It will be difficult to get more than a few dollars in an auction or direct sale.