ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture collectible?

[Bakersdozen]

I came across a 1945 edition of ABC & XYZ of bee Culture at a local book store.  It wasn't in the best of shape and the pages were discolored.  There was no musty odor but the pages were beginning to come unglued. The price was $30.  Does anyone think this was worth the $30?  If I bought it, I would only want it for a collectible.  It was probably well used by the original owner.

[apisbees]

the early editions are the ones that are sought after Pre 1910 When most the discoveries and new innovations happened and assured in modern beekeeping. a 1945 edition I would want it to be in good condition.

[riverbee]

what keith said bakers, pre 1910 are the most sought after. i do have several, the earliest edition i have is from 1908, although used, in very good condition, it has the owners name and location written in fountain pen on the inside cover. pretty cool. some notes or marked pages, but just adds to the value for me of the original keep who owned it.

i think i paid 30 or 35 for it? less than 50 bucks, but probably would have paid 50 because of the year and condition.  not sure the 1945 is worth the 30?, but that is an individual decision and what you value it at and will pay for it. these old books will have discoloration, scuffs, wear and tear of some sort going on, pages coming loose or separated binding. it's fun to see these old editions, and read them, and wonder about the keep who owned them.

[Bakersdozen]

it has the owners name and location written in fountain pen on the inside cover. pretty cool. some notes or marked pages, but just adds to the value for me of the original keep who owned it.

Thanks for the responses apis and river.
Finding a name inside and notes in the margin would only add value to me too.  It shows the former owner valued and used that book. 
I am going to pass on this 1945 edition.  My husband said the same thing in the store, so I put it back on the shelf.  I knew it wasn't going anywhere if I decided to go back.   

[riverbee]

bakers, i looked a long time for a pre 1910 edition in good condition, they are pretty hard to come by. sometimes amazon booksellers or even ebay is a place to look.  here locally, these never come into sale at our half price, or used book stores. mine came from an estate sale. the 1908 book was originally owned by a beek in kentucky. so it wound up here in wisconsin.......who knows how it got here!

if i found a later edition after 1910 that was desirable to me for some reason.......relatively good condition, notes, name, whatever, i would probably purchase the book.  keep looking, you might find a gem and if you are really patient, sooner or later you will find a gem on this book. these older editions are so cool.  good luck in your hunt, and let us know when you find one!

[Riverrat]

I have several old bee books I getting ready to part with as I have read them and they need to get into the hands of others to enjoy.  I have a couple of the very early abc and xyz among others.  I will probably keep my books on huber and von freich

[Bakersdozen]

Any chance you are going to post them on this forum under the Trading Post?

[Riverrat]

Any chance you are going to post them on this forum under the Trading Post?

I may do that.  The wife is dragging me on vacation for a week on an Alaskan cruise with the shrine. We leave thursday  I will get them dug out when I get back and see what all I have

[Bakersdozen]

Enjoy that cruise!  Take a camera and post some pictures for us!

[riverbee]

"The wife is dragging me on vacation for a week on an Alaskan cruise with the shrine. We leave thursday"

well, that's a bummer rat.......
let us know how that alaskan cruise went that your wife drug you on............

btw, you deserve the vacation, and ENJOY!