Expert: Chris Brown - 7/17/2010

Question
I have an original 1918 of the Gumps andy and min by Sidney Smith. Book no. 4. It has some wear to front and back cover but still in good shape considering age. Pages are easy to read, no markings except for some water stains and a little rough edges to pages. All pages are in tac to cover and back. Is it of any worth. I don't collect. Just found it on top of a cabinet in a business I bought. Appreciate your time on this.

Answer

Hi Teresa

Sorry for some reason my email account sent the notice I received about your question to my Junk Mail folder, and I just discovered you had posted a question today.  I would have responded sooner if not for this email problem.

This book does have some value.  It is difficult to say exactly how much without being able to see it.  Water stains can be a serious flaw or they can be a minor flaw depending on how large they are, whether they only affect the cover or also the inside pages and whether there are staples that are rusting.  Likewise it is hard to judge exactly how serious the rough edges are.

Based on your description, I would guess the book is worth somewhere between $20 and $50.  Could be a little more or less but that is a rough idea.  Feel free to send me a follow-up question or a scan if you want any further info.

Chris