I try and keep close tabs on Automotive books and values and
in the last 5-6 years the values of "good" automotive books
have shot through the roof. I can list off a string of
examples; Simion Moores, "The Immortal 2.9", Don Hugh's "The racing
Guillietta's and on and on... anybody try and buy Mark Donahue's
"Unfair Advantage" before the 2nd edition reprint came out?
Book values are up if the book is of quality and captures something
unique which others don't capture. The "pictorial" history's usually
don't have the quality so they languish in value.
As for good news about book values, I have noticed that there has been
a decline in the last few months. Will the prices continue to decline?
It probably depends on the economy. There is always that "secondary"
factor of the reprint. I have noticed that the values of books do decline
with the reprint. Both the 1st edition Mark Donahue book and the Phil Hill
book dropped in value with the new reprint.
Only the "book collectors" seem to care if it is a 1st edition.
Steve Silverstein
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