Expert: Sindhu Menon - 11/3/2007

Question
Hello;

I have a book entitled "A History of Manchester." Then underneath it, "In Four Books."  By John Whitaker. It is dated as 1771.  Do you have any idea of the rarity (or lack thereof) with this book?

Answer
Hello Paul,
  Sorry, but I wouldn't call this exactly rare, even in the first edition, which you have. There are two copies of the first edition itself at just abebooks- and that's just one site. The bookseller highest rating five stars for the one first edition copy in almost perfect condition fetches is 205 US dollars. Later editions in better condition cost more than another first edition in worse shape. And there seem to have been reprints in 1773 and 1775 at least. Hope you are not too disappointed.
Sindhu.