Old Needlecraft Books

That would depend entirely on the type of book. Some books are not keepers: they lack in depth information, designs are dated, information not clear, graphics poor.

Other books are classics and can command a high price. While the content may be dated (I'm thinking about the Weldon's series), the information is invaluable.

Taste enters into it - and level of experience. Someone with little experience might purchase a book with simple projects (vis Piecework's entry a few years ago).

How about an auction?

Dianne

Taste and level of experience definitely come into play.

I picked up half a dozen old needlework books at an SPCA sale last weekend and I am keeping some and some are going to our chapter library. 3 were from Carolyn Ambuter - Open Canvas, Needlepoint Celebrations and Even More Complete Book of Needlework - and they are all going to our chapter. These only cost me $5 total but I know there are quite a few people who paid more than that just for the Open Canvas book. I recall people raving about another needlework book (Pageant of Patterns) that I've seen sell for over $100 online and I got it at a used bookstore for $2. That book however, did not interest me at all so I passed it along to another EGA member.

For my other $9 I got 3 hardbound books for myself - a Helen M. Stevens I didn't own yet - Embroiderer's Year, Erica Wilson's Embroidery Book and Labors of Love - America's Textiles & Needlework 1650-1930.

I was surprised to see the Helen Stevens book for such a small amount but the others are older and are dated. I however wanted them for my personal reference library. Erica Wilson mainly because she sort of resurrected needlework in the US at the time - and I remember my mother stitching a lot of her patterns.

So it's really all about supply and demand :)

MelissaD

I find that most books from the 70s and 80s sell for $2-5, depending on what they are. I go to the used bookstores and the library sales in my area. It does pay to check the titles online - you never know when you might have found one of the out-of-print books that goes for $$$.

Donna in Virginia

I'll echo Donna - check Abebooks or the like to see what might command some bucks and sell the rest as a "collection" for $10-20 and some one will be thrilled.

Cheryl

Thanks all for the comments.

We'll be schlepping about 10 boxes for sale at a regional stitching seminar. Our goals are to raise money for a newly established scholarship fund and dispose of the books that have been languishing in a garage for some time. With few exceptions, the books will be priced $2-$4.

I'm nominally in charge but will run "bag of books for $_________" (fill in the blank) and "make us an offer" by others on the committee.

Hopefully even long time stitchers won't be able to resist bargains ;-) Who knows, they might even point out real treasures and then offer to buy said treasures.

Priced right one woman's junk does become another woman's treasure. When they are priced right you feel you just can't leave it there, plus if there is only one idea that interests you in the book, a couple of dollars is a good buy. Asking for offers works well, nobody likes to look cheap and if the cause is good, the rest will donate on top.

Good way to do it! I've bought old books not for the patterns but because of stitch diagrams. Or to support the library or other good causes.

Cheryl