Pawn Stars: 11 RAREST BOOKS EVER FEATURED (Mega-Compilation) | History
TLDRThe video script features a series of interactions at a pawn shop where rare and historical books are presented, evaluated, and negotiated for sale. Highlights include an incunable about St. Thomas Aquinas, a 1652 copy of Elias Ashmole's "Theatrum Chemicum Brittannicum," a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, an atlas from 1700 with water damage, a signed first edition of "The Wizard of Oz," and a 1583 Geneva Bible. Expert Rebecca provides insights on each book's historical significance, condition, and market value, leading to various deals and missed opportunities as the shop owner, Rick, must balance the cost of restoration and potential resale value against the asking prices.
Takeaways
- 📚 A 1484 incunable, one of the earliest printed books, is discussed with its value influenced by age and condition.
- 💰 The book about St. Thomas Aquinas, bought for $3,500, is hoped to have appreciated in value.
- 🐛 Bookworm holes in old books like the incunable are common and don't significantly hurt their value.
- 🎨 An issue with the book is its late 19th-century illumination, not original to the 15th-century book.
- 📖 Rick expresses his love for antique books and is particularly interested in adding this incunable to his collection.
- 🔍 Rebecca, an expert, is called upon to evaluate the condition and authenticity of the books, including the incunable and a later poker card book.
- 🃏 An 1866 card playing book, won in a poker game, is appraised with a potential value higher than initially expected due to its historical significance.
- 💵 A negotiation ensues over the price of the incunable, with a deal eventually struck for $2,500.
- ✅ The first written history of baseball, published in 1910, is considered valuable, especially with its biographies and photographs of major league players.
- 📘 A 1652 copy of Elias Ashmole's "Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum", an alchemy book with a complex history, is appraised with a significant price tag due to its rarity and historical context.
Q & A
What is an incunable?
-An incunable refers to a book printed with movable type during the 15th century, before the year 1501. The term originates from 'incunabula', Latin for 'cradles' or 'swaddling clothes', and is used to denote the early products of the printing press.
Why is the book bound in pigskin considered significant?
-The book being bound in pigskin is significant because it represents one of the early methods of bookbinding. This suggests that the book has been preserved in its original binding, which adds to its historical value and authenticity.
What is the importance of the year 1484 in the context of the book mentioned?
-The year 1484 is significant because it is the year the book was printed, making it one of the oldest printed books. This places the book just nine years before Columbus set sail for America, which adds to its historical context and value.
Why is the condition of a 15th-century book different from that of a modern book when it comes to valuation?
-The condition of a 15th-century book is considered with more leniency due to its age and the survival of such artifacts over time. Features like wormholing that might be detrimental for a newer book do not significantly hurt the value of an incunable.
What is the significance of the black coloring in the illumination of the book?
-The black coloring in the illumination is significant because it is unusual for a 15th-century book. The expert, Rebecca, suggests that the illumination is not original to the 15th century but rather dates back to the late 19th century, which affects the book's value.
Why is the poker book from 1866 considered valuable?
-The poker book is valuable because it is an old and rare piece of gambling history. It was published at a time when poker rules were first being documented, and it includes games that are not commonly known today. Its condition, despite being worn, adds to its authenticity as a heavily used manual from the era.
What is the historical significance of the 'The National Game' book?
-The 'The National Game' is considered the first written history of baseball, incorporating biographies of major league players from that era. It is significant because it represents a formative period in the sport's history and contributed to the mythmaking of early baseball legends.
Why is the Gutenberg Bible considered one of the most important books in history?
-The Gutenberg Bible is significant because it represents the first substantial book printed using movable type. This invention revolutionized the spread of knowledge and information, akin to the impact of the internet in modern times, and is credited with democratizing knowledge by making it accessible to the masses.
What is the significance of the atlas from 1700 in the script?
-The atlas from 1700 is significant due to its age and the fact that it includes early maps, such as the one depicting California as an island. Despite its water damage and mold, it offers a glimpse into the geographical knowledge and cartography of the time.
Why is the signed copy of 'The Wizard of Oz' considered valuable?
-The signed copy of 'The Wizard of Oz' is valuable because it is a first edition of the book, which is a classic of American literature. The fact that it is signed adds to its rarity and desirability among collectors, despite its rough condition.
What is the Geneva Bible and why is it historically significant?
-The Geneva Bible is a Protestant Bible printed in 1583, known for being a key text during the English Reformation. It is historically significant because it was one of the first Bibles translated into English from the original languages, playing a crucial role in the spread of Protestantism and the development of the English language.
Outlines
📚 Discovery of a Rare Incunable Book
Rick and Adam discuss a valuable incunable book printed in 1484 about St. Thomas Aquinas. It was bought at auction for $3,500 and is bound in pigskin, showing signs of worm damage. Rebecca assesses it, noting the book's historical significance and the fact that it's not in its original condition due to a late 19th-century illumination. She estimates its worth at $3,500 to $4,000, and Rick negotiates to buy it for $2,500.
🃏 Acquisition of an Antique Card Game Book
Kevin presents an old card game book from 1866, which he won in a poker game. He hopes to get $1,500 for it. Chumlee is intrigued by the book's content and its connection to Las Vegas's gambling history. Rebecca, a book expert, confirms the book's collectible value, especially for gambling enthusiasts, and suggests a price of around $2,000. After negotiation, Chumlee buys the book for $1,375.
🏈 The First Written History of Baseball Book
A customer brings in what is considered the first written history of baseball, published in 1910, with biographies of major league players and photographs. The book is complete, and the customer seeks $1,300 for it. Dan Wulkan, a sports collectibles expert, recognizes the book's significance and suggests a retail value of $1,200. Rebecca, another expert, confirms the book's collectibility and condition, pricing it at $2,500. The customer agrees to sell it for $1,300.
✍️ The Philosopher's Stone and Alchemy Secrets
John offers a 1652 copy of Elias Ashmole's 'Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum,' which contains alchemy secrets and is linked to the legendary philosopher's stone. The book is considered scarce and historically significant, as alchemy was illegal at the time of its printing. Despite missing a full-page engraved plate and having repairs, Rebecca values it at $15,000. They negotiate, and the book is sold for $10,300.
✝️ A Single Leaf from the Gutenberg Bible
Adam presents a single leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, which is a printed page from the first substantial book in history. The leaf is from the Old Testament and has been separated and sold as a standalone piece. Adam asks for $65,000, but Rebecca, a book expert, suggests a market value of around $80,000. After negotiation, they agree on a price of $47,000.
🗺️ A Water-Damaged 1700 Atlas
Jamie brings in a large 'Pocket Atlas' from 1700, which he bought for $7,500 but is concerned about its display and preservation. The atlas has water damage and mold, affecting its value. Rebecca estimates potential restoration costs and suggests a value of $12,000, but after considering the costs, Rick offers $5,550, which Jamie accepts.
📜 The Founding Documents: 1802 Federalist Papers
Diana wishes to sell an 1802 edition of the 'Federalist Papers' that her husband found in the trash. She asks for $8,250. The set is in rough condition, possibly with mold, which Rebecca identifies as a significant issue. If restored, the set could be worth up to $14,000, but Rick offers $7,000 after considering the restoration costs and time, which Diana accepts.
🌟 A Signed First Edition of 'The Wizard of Oz'
Adam brings in a signed first edition of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' which has been in a family for over 100 years. Despite its rough condition and water damage, the book is historically significant. Rebecca suggests that with successful restoration, it could be worth up to $30,000. However, due to the restoration costs and time, Rick offers $3,000, which Adam declines, preferring to keep the book.
📖 A 1909 Illustrated Edition of 'Rip Van Winkle'
Sean hopes to sell a 1909 illustrated edition of 'Rip Van Winkle' by Washington Irving, featuring artwork by Arthur Rackham. Despite the book's scuffed condition, Rick sees potential value in its illustrations. Rebecca confirms it is not a first Rackham edition but appreciates the beautiful plates. Rick offers $75, which Sean accepts.
🚢 John Adams' Personal Copy of Naval History Books
Heidi presents two volumes of 'The Naval History of the United States,' signed by President John Adams and gifted to Lieutenant Charles Thomas Clark. Heidi asks for $200,000. Rebecca confirms the books' authenticity and historical significance, but notes the lack of Adams' handwritten notes, which reduces their value. She suggests a value of $10,000 to $12,000. Rick offers $10,000, but Heidi lowers her asking price to $50,000, and they are unable to reach a deal.
📖 A 16th Century Geneva Bible
Corey brings in a 1583 Geneva Bible, an important Protestant Bible that was smuggled into England during the reign of 'Bloody Mary.' Adam asks for $1,600. Rebecca acknowledges its historical importance but notes condition issues and the lack of a handwritten note from John Adams. She suggests an asking price of $1,500, but ultimately advises against the purchase, and Rick agrees to pass.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Incunable
💡St. Thomas Aquinas
💡Pigskin Binding
💡Wormholing
💡Illuminated Manuscripts
💡Antique Books
💡Provenance
💡Geneva Bible
💡Book Restoration
💡First Edition
💡Rackham Illustrations
Highlights
A 1484 incunable, one of the oldest printed books, is discussed.
The book about St. Thomas Aquinas was bought at auction for $3,500 and is hoped to have appreciated in value.
The incunable is bound in pigskin, an early binding method.
The book survived nine years before Columbus set sail for America, making it historically significant.
Rick expresses a personal interest in antique books and considers purchasing the incunable for himself.
Book worms have left holes in the incunable, but this damage is considered normal for its age.
An issue with the book's non-original 19th-century illumination affects its value.
The current valuation of the incunable with the modern illumination is $3,500 to $4,000.
An 1866 card playing book is presented, with a hope to get $1,500 for it.
The card playing book was won in a poker game, adding an interesting backstory.
The 1866 book is considered a collectible item due to its historical context with gambling.
A first edition of 'The Wizard of Oz' is presented, signed and with color illustrations.
The 'Wizard of Oz' copy has undergone restoration, but still shows signs of damage.
An edition of 'Rip Van Winkle' illustrated by Arthur Rackham is appraised, but is not a first edition.
A 1583 Geneva Bible is introduced as a significant historical and religious artifact.
The Geneva Bible was printed during a time when translating the Bible into English was a revolutionary act.
Despite its historical importance, the Geneva Bible's condition and repair work affect its value.
Transcripts
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