A glimpse into the world of bookselling in Edwardian England. The following’ special bargains’—advertised for sale in ‘ new condition’– are listed in The Bookman of August 1908 by Edward Baker’s Great Bookshop, Birmingham. The discounted prices of 1908 are compared to what the same books ( inevitably in slightly worse condition) are listed at in Abebooks today.
Beccari’s Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo (1901) 8s 6d (42p) £600
Book of the Cat by Frances Simpson (1903) 9s 0d (45p) £325
Dominion of the Air by Rev J.M.Bacon (1904) 2s. (10p) £87
Moss Flora by R.Braithwaite (1887) £2 10s (250p) £120
Historical Locomotives by Bennett 1s (5p) £75
How I shot my bears by Mrs Tyacke (1893) 2s 6d.(12p) £650
Java facts and fancies by A. de Witt (1903) 5s 6d.(27p) £103
Ladies Golf by May Hezlet (1904) 3s 6d (17p) £500
Liberia by Sir H Johnston 15s (75p) £600
Our Poultry by Harrison Weir (1902) 15s. (75p) £537
Ready’s Life and Sport in China (1903) 5s. 6d (27p) £150
Scepsis Scientifica by Glanvill (repr 1885) 3s (15p) £113
Scottish Pewterware and Pewterers by Wood (1904) 9s 6d.(47p) £165
Siberia: a record of travel, etc by Samuel Turner (1905) 6s. (30p) £195
Telephone Systems of the Continent of Europe (1895) 2s 6d.(12p) £71
Tube, Train, Tram and Car by A.Beavan 2s. 6d.(12p) £85
Two Years among New Guinea Cannibals by A.E.Pratt 6s (30p) £90
Hello.
“Book of the Cat by Frances Simpson (1903) 9s 0d (45p) £325”
I am looking to find out more on this rare book. I have one.
Best,
Heather
Intersting, Book of the Cat. If it is a nice copy original decorative gray cloth stamped in brown, gray and gold. Illustrated with 12 colour plates we could offer something npburwood@gmail.com