Captain's Log: Antiquarian Bible Book Values
- Jeffrey A. Rothermel
- Dec 27, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Original Posting on December 24, 2023
Updated on December 28, 2025
Unraveling
the Continual Mystery
of Book Values
Captain's Log: 28 December 2025
The Bible is arguably the most printed book in the history of the world. Exact numbers are not known, but one estimate is that roughly six billion copies of the Bible are in circulation.[1] Some unique Bibles are extremely valuable. Much has been written about those valuable, unique items such as the Gutenberg Bible. Only forty-nine of the original 180 Gutenberg Bibles printed 570 years ago are known to remain.[2.] Statistically, most Bibles that we find in everyday life are not going to be the million-dollar Gutenbergs. Where does one start when trying to figure out the value of the family Bible?
The supply and demand theorems suggest there are so many Bibles in existence, that not all of the alleged six billion Bibles maintain a coveted status. This essay discusses the seductive powers of vintage items. Age of an item may not be the most significant factor driving its monetary value. Often, it is how many other comparable items survive or are in a similar market. This essay touches upon the factors that make a used book unique. The sheer number of Bibles in existence means Bibles are a type of book that collectors in all social economic sectors could explore with few insurmountable barriers.
Originally, Bibles were made for the elite. Eventually, the written word of God was printed with the intention for everyone to read the Word. There are multitudes of versions, languages and types of translations. What version of the Bible and language is it? The quantities produced for certain printings make it possible to find and collect fascinating items at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Few people throw away or destroy Bibles. I have met many an atheist with a box full of Bibles looking for answers or cash. They know as well as I, that Bibles that were originally mass produced to be given away as free, probably have minimal resale value in the secondary market. Oddly, they prefer I send the items to the next portal in the paper ecosystem than them. Bibles seem to find their way into and out of used bookstores.
Bibles are everywhere. Unique books in decent condition catch attention.
Items that stink, smell, are decaying and leave a flaky or smeary mess/residue are rarely in high demand. Active black mold that is growing in an old book is not desired by collectors or book dealers. Active mold is dangerous. Condition of the item is a significant factor.
Bringing a book back to life takes time, knowledge, artistic skill, and money. Sometimes an item might be worth saving. How does one go about solving a book mystery?
Cool vintage (common) with actual prices they sold at are occasionally tough topics to find. Books, fishing and sex have a few things in common. Some things are not mentioned in certain circles. Other things are pure tall tales. Sold book prices are not taboo. Accurately describing and photographing an old book without an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is time consuming. It gets done for high dollar items. A multitude of SOLD book prices never make it into an interoperable database for reference because time is money.
Note: The originally listed price, was often not the final price at which the item sold.
Current Book Value Cold Case Status:
Unsolved.
"How hard can it be to sell a book?" I asked myself in the year 2017. Self-education is a long, sometimes tough journey. Some of my first antiquarian Bibles took fourteen months to sell. My most recent century-old-Bible took thirteen days. The one thing I have learned is there is so much more to learn.
This essay will not reveal the secret formula for determining the value of an antiquarian Holy Bible, old book or piece of printed paper. Such science does not exist. No one has developed a mathematical model that can predict what a human being will pay for an item at a specific point in time. Or have they?* Will artificial intelligence (AI) ever get to the point that it can accurately predict book values? Have computers mastered predicting the weather?
*Captain's Book Shoppe specializes in science fiction & fantasy. The all-knowing computer is in many a sci-fi book. We also sell great mysteries. [Occasionally, we have a really interesting Bible.]
This essay's theme highlights the mystery of antiquarian books and pricing. Used book prices listed on the internet are literally the desired asking prices. This is sometimes called "aspirational pricing." The actual figure a book sold at may not be the listed tag price found on the internet. Used books often sell at lower than the listed price, and occasionally they also sell at prices higher than expected. How does one determine the value of the book? The answer is not simple. Identifying the item and understanding its value is fascinating detective work.
What is a Rare Book?
A rare book is traditionally defined as "any book which has an enhanced value because the demand for the book exceeds the supply, usually because of its importance, scarcity, age, condition, physical and aesthetic properties, association, or subject matter. If there is no demand for a book, it will probably not become a rare book even if the other factors exist. It is of little or no value if no one wants it. Demand can change as interests change." (Source: U.S. National Park Service, Conserve O Gram 19/1 July 1993)
The Bible is arguably, one of the most printed books in the world. Some have historical value. Some have sentimental value to a specific family.
How does one determine if the old book [Bible] is common or rare?
Short Answer. How many comparable versions of the item are currently listed for sale on the internet?
Longer answer. The internet is not the only marketplace Bibles [or books in general] are bought and sold, though it is a good place to start when determining how common or rare the item might be. There are nuances and special circumstances for books which make them coveted. The below examples are used to illustrate how items trade at prices lower or higher than the listed tag price.
The Captain welcomes your insights on this topic. Feel free to give him a phone call at (319) 351-3166 or send him an email at: Jeffrey@CaptainsBookShoppe.com. You can also enter your comment below.
Signed,
Captain Jeff the Bookseller
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Captain's Antiquarian Bibles Starting at $25
October 27, 2022
Captain's Book Shoppe LLC
1570 S. 1st Ave, Suite H
Iowa City, IA 52240 USA
Phone: (319) 351-3166
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Arrivals:
Cash and Carry In-Store-Sale Ongoing, While Supplies Last.
Cash + tax & carry, in-store, Antiquarian Bible Specials while supplies last:
1. Lower Front: SOLD 15 DEC 2023
Hardbound Leather Holy Bible Philadelphia: M. Carey, 1814 =
$75 cash + tax (in store special): SOLD DEC 15, 2023 for $50
2. Left: SOLD
AEG Hardbound Leather Bible Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1847 (Front board not attached at hinge). =
$25 cash + tax (in store special)
3. Back Center: SOLD
Illustrated Bible (Boards not attached.) New York: Harper, 1846 =
$25 cash + tax (in store special)
4. Right: SOLD
Family Devotional Bible.
Boards not attached to Bible. New York: Virtue, no date =
$35
Cataloged Bibles
SKU: CPT Bible 1 SOLD
SKU: CPT Bible 2 SOLD
SKU: CPT Bible 3c SOLD: June 10, 2023
1886 Illustrated KJV & Revised Parallel-Column Holy Bible
Bible 3c: SOLD:
1886 Holy Bible (English) Illustrated, Pictorial Family Bible King James Version (KJV) and Revised Version in Parallel-Column.
Complete Concordance. "2000 Scripture Illustrations on steel, wood, and in colors." Three Page history of the translation of the Bible. Sixteen page history of the religious denominations of the World. Syracuse, NY Bible Publishing House 1886 Approx.: 12.5"x11"x5.25" Approx. Weight 14.5 pounds GOOD CONDITION. Hardbound, antique Bible. Raised brown boards with golden illustrations. Bumped corners and edges of boards are worn (rubbed). Rubbed and sunned decorative raised band spine. Spine has seven raised brown leather bands with gold illustrations and lettering in six compartments. Head and foot shelf wear to front and back boards to include the head and foot of the boards and spine. All gilt-edge text block (golden color). Two reflective, grey-silverish-colored metal-hinged-clasps. Both clasps work (snap closed onto the catch). Hinges freely rotate! Clasps have minor abrasion marks. Tight binding. Unmarked pages. No after publishing markings noted in the Bible. No Family information in the Bible. Cardboard frames in the back of the Bible for family pictures. Front and back, blue pastedown page: Heavy cardstock pastedown and endpaper do not appear to be original. Discoloration, fading to blue pastedown and single front and back endpage. Front and back inside hinges taped. (Refer to photos). All pages appear readable and remain tightly bound. Light foxing on a few pages. o Title Page showing signs it may become loose in the future. (Refer to photo 8: RED TITLE PAGE). o Page 9 of History, two spots. o Two one inch stains on page 3 of "History of Religious Denominations..."1886 Illustrated KJV & Revised Parallel-Column Holy Bible SKU: CPT Bible 3c List Price: $400.00 + tax & applicable shipping. (Cash, check, debit/credit card).
Sold Price: $300 + tax & shipping, June 10, 2023
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SKU: Bible 4c SOLD
1888 Embossed Leather Altemus Edition: HOLY BIBLE
1888 Embossed Leather Altemus Oxford Edition: SOLD HOLY BIBLE Philadelphia: Henry Altemus FAIR CONDITION. Hardbound book cover: Embossed leather flower pattern on dark colored, checkered squares on padded leather board. Bumped hardbound corners. Chipped leather on corner of book. Outer hinge wear, showing light brown rubbed leather. Head and foot shelf wear to boards. 3/4" gold lettering on center of spine states: "hOLY BIBLE." 1/4" golden lettering on foot of spine states: "OXFORD EDITION." Golden colored All Edges Gilt (AEG) with reddish discoloration. Bumped gilt edging. Damp stain top of the page vicinity the hinge. Old and New Testaments Apcrypha and Psalms Complete Concordance "Upwards of twenty thousand notes, critical and explanatory, selected from great standard authors of Europe and America, by Rev Walter McGilvray, D.D." Chipped leather corner. Minor staining throughout book. Damp stain top edge of text block, light foxing, slightly soiled end page. Pages 943-950 severe damp stain at top of pages. Last page in book 3" tear at top of page. Tight Binding. Approx Dimensions: 13"x 10.75"x3.75" Approx. Weight: 13.5 pounds $150 + tax & applicable shipping. (Cash, check, debit/credit card). SOLD December 20, 2023
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November13, 2025 Update:
1882 Leather King James Antiquarian Bible
Listed October 20, 2025 on eBay
Sold November 2, 2025 (13 days)
$320
"How hard can it be to sell a book?" I asked myself in the year 2017. Self-education is a long, sometimes tough journey. Some of my first antiquarian Bibles took fourteen months to sell. My most recent century-old-Bible took thirteen days. The one thing I have learned is there is so much more to learn.
Read more details about the 1882 King James Bible at:
Determining When to Buy and Sell a Vintage Book.
Solving the Mystery
Remains a Fund
Adventure. =====
RETURN POLICY
1. All in store book sales are "as is" upon completion of the sale. No refunds for books that are bought in store. (We may rebuy your book, once you are done using it!)
2. Internet Sales. If there is an issue with an order, please call Jeffrey at 319 351-3166 to discuss possible options. The other method of contact is by sending an email to jeffrey@captainsbookshoppe.onmircrosoft.com.
Standard Internet Sales & Return Policy: The Captain accepts internet returns. The customer is responsible for return postage.
Refund will be issued upon safe receipt of the item.
Captain's Book Shoppe covers return shipping costs if in the rare instance, there was an error in the listing or if the item was lost or damaged during shipment.
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About the author: Jeffrey Alan Rothermel, bookseller and owner of Captain's Book Shoppe LLC:
Additional Captain's Logs about Book Value:
= = = = = NOTES.
[1.] Bestselling individual books of all time – Deseret News (Accessed December 28, 2025)
[2.] Gutenberg made easy Gutenberg Museum Mainz. Mainz, Germany: Gutenberg Museum, 2014 second printing. p. 28.
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