Getting ready to move, I am trying to combat my hoard-ish nature. I am scaling back significantly in books and board games and various collectibles. (I can't bear to part with them cheaply or donate them where they may be unloved, unwanted or neglected.) I've found various "price guides" to see what the value of a book is, measured in dollars. What a disorienting concept it is the comparative value of literature weighed against each other. A recent book may be easily $20 new while a a first edition 50s pulp may be worth less. And that the contents of the book --the language and artistry-- is nearly irrelevant to its monetary value is too surreal.
I suspect this weekend's yard sale will be like absurdist theatre where I chase would be shoppers around convincing them of the preciousness of my objects and then refuse to sell them. "But", I tell my greedy heart, "you are making room (and cash) for more books and baubles."
http://historical.ha.com/
http://www.biblio.com/
http://www.abebooks.com/
