Valuable Angling Books - What have you got?

dezza · Jul 20, 2011

I'm not an expert on old or collectable angling books but I do possess a fair few and I have a rough idea of the auction value of them.

Books become valuable if they are in first class condition, no marks or signs of wear, the dust cover still perfect and intact without any tears or stains, authors signatures to show JUST the signature, no messages, but most of all, it must be a first edition.

It's easy to tell a first edition, the front of the book carrying the publisher and printers name will state if it's a reprint. It it doesn't it's a first edition.

So what have you got? Some of the most valuable angling books were produced in the late 18th to mid 20th centurys. You never know but you might be sitting on a fortune.

dannytaylor · Jul 20, 2011

Im slowly building up my angling book collection and now have a good number. Im not interested in collecting books for there value, i just love to read good fishing books. In terms of collectable books i have a 1st edition copy of stephen harpers "a line on the water" i think this goes for around the £100 mark. Small change to you book collectors.

Looking forward to the perch fishers new book this autumn.

barbelboi · Jul 20, 2011

The only first editions prior to 1960 (both birthday presents)
Angling in Earnest 1958 First Edition – Fred Taylor (before the ‘J’ was used)
Walker’s Pitch 1959 First Edition

mark brailsford 2 · Jul 20, 2011

I have just purchased a signed copy of ''at the waters edge'' by Martin James (brand new first edition) which for £40 is a good investment. I also have a signed copy of Trefor Wests new barbel book and various medlar press books signed by peter stone, Chris Yeats (the nicest man I have ever met!) and Bernard Venables.

should help me out in my old age...lol!!!

mark

dannytaylor · Jul 20, 2011

just had another look, ive got a signed 1st edition of terry hearns "still searching" that must be worth a bit in a few years.

Also got a softback edition of Bullers "doomsday book of mammoth pike" any ideas what this is worth?

dezza · Jul 20, 2011

dannytaylor said:
Also got a softback edition of Bullers "doomsday book of mammoth pike" any ideas what this is worth?

Very little unfortunately Danny, say a fiver.

Paperbacks tend to be copies of previous hardbacks. It's the first edition hardbacks which fetch the money.

The most valuable of Fred Buller's books is "Pike". Signed first editions in good condition could realise £250.00

904_cannon · Jul 20, 2011

Chevin and Chub by the CSG

I HAD No need to lie, Big Chub, Perter Stone, John Etheringstons Big Chub and Roach ... I think, Barbel Mania by Andy Orme, the 1st BCC book, BV's Freshwater Fishing (an ex Barnard Castle school library book purchased for £2 so they ain't that clever) a cheepo Complete Angler and a few odds and sods.

bigchub · Jul 20, 2011

john m h said:
7Big Chub, Peter Stone,

My old man picked that up in a second tackle shop for a fiver about 10 years ago. Its value has certainly increased!

Paul Boote · Jul 20, 2011

Ron The Hat Clay said:
The most valuable of Fred Buller's books is "Pike". Signed first editions in good condition could realise £250.00

And some more, Ron. I sold my little collection of bought-at-the-time Bullers - Pike 1st, Domesday 1st and his little Rigs & Tackles paperback from 1967, all three in as-new condition - to a very nice Irish piker (since died tragically young) several years ago, and the Pike was priced at rather more than £250, and paid.

PS - I still have a pretty comprehensive - coarse, game and overseas - Angling library, and am still buying titles that appeal to me. One day, I hope many years from now, there will be one heck of an auction somewhere!

dezza · Jul 21, 2011

That is some book Paul.

I am keeping my eyes open for "**** Walker - Biography of an Angling Legend", by the late Barrie Rickards, the leather spine version, signed by the author. There were 99 copies of this version printed, all of which were sold in a very short time. I have one of them. I have a feeling that if any of these books come up for auction, they could command a very good price indeed.

The standard first edition with dust cover also sold out very quickly. A second edition is available at £35.00

Tee-Cee · Jul 21, 2011

I have many angling books,some 1st editions in good order,some not so good and lots that are reprints. None were ever bought as an 'investment' as most of the old ones were bought when I had to save my pocketmoney or receive them as presents and the word 'investment' was not on my radar.
As far as value is concerned; I don't have any idea nor am I interested as I shall never sell them BUT I have told my wife to get them valued (should I go first...) and decide if she needs the money at that time.
If I'm honest I would like them to go to someone (as a gift) who would really,really appreciate them but even that is not as easy as it might seem......maybe my son will want them even though he doesn't fish....

My pleasure is reading them....standing in front of the bookcase,running my finger along the titles and choosing which to read (again!) and after all these years, still getting that thrill of anticipation and expectancy....
I once made the error of lending two Walker books to a 'friend' in South Africa back in the late 70's and that was the last I saw of them so somewhere in that country are two first additions that probably mean little to the owner....fortunately I did manage to replace them!

I suppose one could leave them to a museum (?) but what would be the point if they cannot be enjoyed?

dezza · Jul 21, 2011

Tee-Cee said:
I once made the error of lending two Walker books to a 'friend' in South Africa back in the late 70's and that was the last I saw of them so somewhere in that country are two first additions that probably mean little to the owner....fortunately I did manage to replace them!

Well what a coincidence. I remember lending 3 books to a "friend" in South Africa too. One was a signed first edition of Jack Hilton's "Quest for Carp". I wonder where he went to, the last I heard was Malawi.

Tee-Cee · Jul 21, 2011

Lets just hope its not the same person..or worse amemeber of FM and he's having a quiet s n i g g e r to himself at our expense........

Last time I saw mine was in Randburg-not that it matters a jot!

dezza · Jul 21, 2011

Tee-Cee said:
Last time I saw mine was in Randburg-not that it matters a jot!

Errr........

This guy used to live in Randburg!!

jack sprat · Jul 21, 2011

Interesting about leather-bound books. There is wide variation in the quality and this reflects in the price almost as much as the scarcity. Some are bound in reconstituted leather and these don't really appreciate at all, and often only cost £100. Others have very good leather and can appreciate to an alarming extent. Talking to a CSG member this week and he said that the only 2 copies of Chevin (l/b) to come up so far had made something like £660 and £700, but then the binding is top-class at £200 for the original books, and there are only 50 of them. Other books have had too many made so that even after several years there are still plenty available and such books haven't appreciated at all.

As Paul Boote says the best way to realise the value of a collection is through a specialist auction, certainly for books with a value of £50+ per item. Dealers have a habit of asking innocent widows 'how much do you want?' and offering 5% of the true value whereas an auction will probably make 50%+ of the dealers' prices.

Paul Boote · Jul 22, 2011

Had my copy of Mark Wintle's "Big Roach" drop through the letterbox this morning. Looks good, Mark.

Fred Bonney · Jul 22, 2011

I'll put them to good use Tee Cee

I have quite a few first editions,not for investment just got in early, and some I just wanted to read, and they are usually in better condition when you buy them.
I have to say Mr Boote's "joint" effort , Somewhere down ..........is among those most enjoyed.

Lord Paul of Sheffield · Jul 22, 2011

to get the best value they need to be in VGC - so reading them may de-value them

Paul Boote · Jul 22, 2011

The real "Bookies" I have encountered over the years buy two...

However, if they HAVE to read the thing (and can only buy one), they remove the dustjacket, put it out of reach of baby / child / incontinent cat, and read the thing whilst it's swaddled in clean, white paper, or bubblewrap, and whilst they're wearing gloves.

Brings to mind the well-known Fishy Bookie who phoned me three to five times a day, for a week or more, a few years ago, never leaving a message, but, when he finally got me and announced that he was going to visit me with some books he required me to sign, got a very polite, very British Establishment voiced "Please don't call me again.". He hasn't.

andreagrispi · Jul 23, 2011

Rainbows End by Phil Smith is my most valuable.

Book of the Perch took some getting as did Big Chub and Roach and Red Letter Days.

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