1892 book...can't find ANY info

[zoli]

Good day all. I received this book and I'm trying to find out if it has any value (monetary or nostalgic) so I can make a decision on what to do with it. Not sure if it's one of a kind, or one of thousands.

It is an illustrated book of Newark, from 1892. The first twenty or so pages are a narrative of the city's history, businesses at the time, and so on. It then has a hundred or so pictures (plates?) of various parts of the city, streets, roadways and pertinent buildings. It is printed on very thick paper, and each page seems to be bound individually (?). It has no author or maker remarks, only the publisher. It's about 12" x 16". It does have a person’s name/signature on one page. Tried to Google it, but not sure of the spelling as it's a fancy autograph.

I've added a link to an album of pictures (photobucket) - http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae325/Dolapsch/Newarkbook/

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Don.

[frogpatch]

I am sorry but that link will not open for me. I am from New Jersey and would really like to see the book.

[mart]

Doesn`t open for me either !!  just post the pics here,,, its quite easy to do !!

[Ipcress]

Doesn't take much to modify the link.

http://s984.beta.photobucket.com/user/Dolapsch/library/Newarkbook

Someone asking $200, someone else $400

Originally published in parts so your has been bound together.

The previous owners inscription is C F Zachan, an architect who worked in that area c1908

Interesting stuff.

[rockandrollrods]

I need to dig through some of my books. I recognize that cover and binding. I may have a copy of it. Just have to sort through a dozen boxes to find it.

[ghopper1924]

Is this an (ex) library book? If so, that lessens the value considerably. The state of the binding looks pretty rough as well. Unless this book is extraordinarily rare and in demand, $200 would be optimistic.

That said, there are some cool photos in there. Is John Jelliff's Newark furniture factory illustrated in the book?

[Ipcress]

Is this an (ex) library book? If so, that lessens the value considerably. The state of the binding looks pretty rough as well. Unless this book is extraordinarily rare and in demand, $200 would be optimistic.

That said, there are some cool photos in there. Is John Jelliff's Newark furniture factory illustrated in the book?

Yes, particularly with the spine in that condition. Sellers on ABE are notorious for extorionate prices.

This does seem quite a scarce book though but it depends how much of the subject matter is covered elsewhere

[zoli]

Thank you for the information! The book is definitely not from the library. I does seem to be put together from the other volumes though, as some pictures are yellowed, then some are more white. The pictures also do not go in any order, and some that should (such a a sequence of pictures from Mount Pleasant Cemetery) are scattered throughout. There is seventeen pages of narrative (think I’ll read it).

Sorry, no furniture factory pictures. Some of the pictures include - convents, churches, hospitals, City hospital, German Hospital, the insane asylum, Orphan’s asylum, Essex County Jail, river scenes, general street scenes, High street, Market Street, Broad street, statues, scene from ‘Eagle rock’ (lookout?), library, police station, Exxex Club, Clifton and Charlton street, public schools etc.

There is also a sticker in the back – Baker Printer Co. ‘Stationers’ 251 Market Street, Newark N.J. Maybe they put the book together for the architect?

Does the link work? I emailed the Newark Museum, they're not sure if they have a copy, but would be interested, if I would donate it. Sounds like an option.

Thanks,
Don.

[Ipcress]

It's certainly rare


www.strandbooks.com has it listed at $225 but out of stock, suggesting someone paid that for their last copy
Yale University Library has a copy
A seller on ABE has a copy at $400 that sounds as if it's in worse condition than yours

Needs a nice half morocco binding to protect it.

[ghopper1924]

Once its rebound, you may be able to get a nice little tax deduction if you donate it to the Newark Museum.