Invaluable Books at High Prices
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I recently discovered Invaluable.com, an online auction website that focuses on high quality items. They had lots of books that I’d love to have on my shelf.
I love science-fiction, so I was excited to see the collection of Easton Press Science Fiction Books being auctioned by a private estate. The God’s Themselves by Issac Asimov is one of my favorite science-fiction novels, so it was nice to see such a beautiful copy of the book. More than anything, what I like about this collection is the wide range of classic science-fiction authors that are represented in this set.
Does anyone want to get me some books for Christmas?
And because there is nothing nicer than a shelf full of beautiful leather-bound books, I also wouldn’t mind to have the set of travel theme books by Eaton Press. It has classics like Swiss Family Robinson and White Fang, along with some more esoteric publications like The Snow Leopard and How I Found Livingstone.
Of course, there were a few things that I didn’t love about this site. Because these books are rare, they are inevitably expensive. The current bid on the Science-Fiction books is $125, and $250 for the Travel books. I’m not sure my husband would appreciate me spending that kind of money, just because these editions are beautiful. Especially since most of these books are still in print.
Another downside is that Invaluable.com doesn’t handle shipping of the products. They tell you that you must make arrangements for shipping through shippers who appear to be specific to each item being purchased. How can I know what I can afford to spend if I don’t know how much it will cost to get it to me?
So, overall, I’m not sure I would ever purchase something from Invaluable.com myself, but if you’re the kind of person who can afford to buy high end auction items, this is certainly a site you should check out. And even if the books, and other items, are out of your budget – it is always fun to look.
It’s rather like the deluxe edition of Shakespeare’s complete works that I’ve seen online, for 350 Euros. Yes, it’s leather-bound and would last forever (I’m on my second copy of regular hardback, and it’s not in good shape). But yeah, that’s what, $400 or nearly? Somehow I don’t think it’s ever gonna happen….
There’s a book that intrigues me, co-authored by Alexander McCall Smith (he of Precious Ramotswe fame), called “Forensic Aspects of Sleep,” however that one retails at a stonking 183.99 pounds sterling–and that’s on Amazon! Yes, I could get it secondhand for about 60 quid, but again–not gonna happen.
Yes. That’s the one reason I might be willing to pay out for books like the ones I shared. They are expensive (so they aren’t in my budget right now), but I know that these are quality books that will hold up for ages. Have you seen the Barnes & Noble Collectors edition of Shakespeare? It might hold up well in the long run, and is inexpensive- though I don’t know about shipping to you. That second book you’re looking at sounds like a text book. They are always expensive.