What to do with a library, informal poll

rbh77

When I started in bonsai in the mid 80's I started collecting books on the subject as fast as I could find them. When I became a bookseller in 1990 I got better at it, and soon had a pretty good library put together. Not a collection, these books weren't shelved, they were used and referred to constantly. Now I'm in the position where I need to shed some of the collections I've put together (spousal harmony); the bonsai library is one of them. I hate to break it up, though.

My question is this: Has anyone out there seen collections of bonsai books for sale, or should I look to breaking it up and selling it in pieces? I'd like to get some idea before I list it (or them) here or eBay or Craig's List or wherever. Suggestions of other sales venues also very appreciated.

As it is the collection runs to about a hundred items, if you consider things like Bonsai Today issues 1-76 as one item, and spans Japanese titles from the mid-50's to current titles, although collecting slowed in the late 90's.

If anyone out there is interested in knowing what's in the library, let me know and I'll send along the details in an Excel document. I, and the books, live in the Bay Area.

Thanks for any and all opinions!

Russ Harvey, aka rbh77

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Bonsai Barry

If I were selling on e-bay, and I didn't mind the hassle of multiple sales. I would sell my collection in batches of three or four books (fix or six magazines). I don't like selling indiviual stuff, but when a large collection is for sale, people expect huge savings.


That being said, you could always try selling it as a collection with a high starting price or reserve and if it didn't sell, then break up the set.

OR if you have some upper end books, you could offer them here on bonsai talk auction. It doesn't seem to see much action, but the people might better appreciate the higher quality books.

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Bonsai Barry

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Mcspeed

Could use the auction section right here at BT, the Bonsai Today you refered to would probably fetch too large a price for averagr Joe to have a shot, but as someone said lots of 4-5 mags might get the crowd at an auction pretty fired up. Other "groups" of mags or volumes probably the same. Other wise individuals would seem to be the way to go. or put them in various lots to save you time.

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