Book prices

Stephen · January 11, 2010

In hope that money i have coming in would be here in time for this book watch on ebay, i was wondering how members feel about the book market? I see that bidder g**y got more than a few at what i think is really good prices. Afu's books doing the best, i can only wonder where id been if i got to bid on the fujishiros koto shinto books. doubt that price will come around again.

anyway if your interested.

http://completed.shop.ebay.com/tsubadub ... 283&_rdc=1

g**Y is that you Grey? lol

DirkO · January 11, 2010

those are indeed prices one dreams of, especially a fujishiro's set for a good 200$ With the Euro being what it is, that's really really cheap ...

Stephen · January 11, 2010

what's this lower price imply? being the books were starters, less new students? maybe the struggling economy? if its less wanting to learn about nihonto is it or will it dwindle down to just a few new students a year. With the news of the Tampa show going to the wayside and less newbies does it have a chance dying out in the western world? who will carry the torch?

Bruno · January 11, 2010

I have tried to get the F&G but at 218,51$....I gave it up!

Stephen · January 11, 2010

I have tried to get the F&G

IMHO its the last book of all that one should buy.

DirkO · January 11, 2010

Stephen,

I don't really think it's dying out. You see a lot of new members here asking for translations. A percentage of those will grow into serious collectors to "carry on the torch" as you so aptly put it :-)

I think the low book prices are merely due to fact that it's a buyer's climate at the moment, not a sellers one. This mainly because of the crisis. Once this is over, you'll see new collectors emerge.

ottou812 · January 11, 2010

The reason why the Fujishiro's went for $208usd was that I was watching TV and forgot to bid. :lol:

bluboxer · January 11, 2010

I didn't think I had a chance . If I had bid the price would have invariably skyrocketed!

Alan

doug e lewis · January 12, 2010

what's this lower price imply? being the books were starters, less new students? maybe the struggling economy? if its less wanting to learn about nihonto is it or will it dwindle down to just a few new students a year. With the news of the Tampa show going to the wayside and less newbies does it have a chance dying out in the western world? who will carry the torch?

i am no spring chiken, but am an avid learning newbie. will carry torch, or Zippo, as long as possible. economy might be reason, as you suggested, Stephen, for low book prices. i hope it is not an indication of fewer people interested in Nihonto. it would be sad if the only way to discuss things would on line and not in person.

i certainly can't afford new books right now as just getting settled into a semi-retirement in the High Desert. i noticed many reducing some of their sword prices at Tokagowa Art, sho-Shin, and even in NMB For Sale Forum.

doug

David Flynn · January 12, 2010

Expensive items usually take a hit at Christmas and soon after. This combined with the economic downturn isn't conducive to nihonto collecting.

bridgeofdreams · January 13, 2010

I've been wanting to post in this topic, but held back. Who wants to hear what a bookdealer has to say about book prices, anyway?

I don't think that the current prices of books, or anything else, says much about the future of collecting. It says a lot about the condition of the worldwide economy more than anything else. David also makes a good point, there is also a seasonal aspect to the prices on the ebay auctions mentioned. And even there you can find the occasional bargain (Fujishiro set) and item that seems to sell for more than it "should" (F&G.) I have friends who have picked up very valuable books on ebay for a song (and who love to tell me about it!)

I am a bookdealer. When I started out nearly six years ago, I was a collector with too many books who started bringing duplicates to shows to sell along with the swords and fittings that I was letting go of. As a life-long book lover, it made sense to me to pursue that as a vocation when my work situation changed, and the Nihonto community was a natural home for someone whose specialty was Asian books anyway. I had some resources that I put into the business and that helped to support my family while I built the business. Those resources are long gone, and if I don't sell books, Bad Things happen.

This turns out to be a commentary on book prices, and a sneaky way about mentioning the sale I'm starting immediately, which will be announced in detail in the proper forum.

I've gotten to feel at home here, and while I've not contributed much to the discussions, I read quite a few of the posts and enjoy your new treasures and knowledge. More than that, you guys have been a vital part of my business, and always come through - when the price is right :-)

Craig