As folks may recall, I reviewed the following book set last September: The Moffat Tunnel of Colorado An Epic of Empire A signed and numbered set of books from 1927. Now, I'm seriously looking into the idea of having books professionally restored! Found a location in Denver that has done book restoration since 1929, and is Colorado and Family owned since 1946. Planning on taking books down Monday for a quote, and other information. Spine on Vol 1 could certainly use some help! A couple of quick questions: 1. Is it worth the effort to have books restored? 2. Will a restoration help improve value of book set? Still, I'm interested in find out what company has to say.
I'd bet that the best and possibly only way to know, is via a professional bookseller appraisal. In some instances they may say yes. Others, no, better as is. Boxcab E50
I have no idea what book restoration costs, or entails. I would be happy to leave a book as-is, especially if I read it. All my books are readers. There are no collectible shelf queens in my library. That, and I'm too cheap to deal with it. I'd much rather invest in another dozen Trainworx 100T quads for the Great Steel Fleet.
I'd have it done if you like the books. WAG, you probably won't raise the value any more than the resto work costs, but again, WAG. Some train books are big $$$. I'm spending $130 on an old family pocket watch. That's probably all that it may be worth when working, but I love it and plan on using it.
This is one that if it were me I'd ask my wife, who is a bookseller, knows a bit about antiquarian books and rare books, has some bookbinding experience, and used to work for a publisher. She doesn't do restorations, but she can help you figure out whether it's worth it for what you want to do in the end. Send me a PM if you are interested in further information. Adam
OK. Just mailed out payment for more TW quads! Looking at a rather costly, but neat G Scale purchase, maybe next week. As for the books, the spine on Vol 1 is already missing a small piece. So, I'd be interested in preventing it from getting worse! All I can do is take books in and get some information. Although, if restored, they'd still be in great shape, long after I'm dead and gone! Oh well, an info update Monday, after I find out more.
Ya can't go wrong with more quads... I need dozens... Just to get 10% of the roster (my loco roster goal is 10% of the real Grande's roster) is 280 cars. If I go as little as 2%, I'm still looking at 56.
Just got word on my quads. Shipped yesterday, so I'll have 12 more next week sometime. Still need more though! Gotta check with Rod, and see if he's still got access to more cars!
