The Art Institute does not offer appraisals of art works, books, maps, or other library materials. The Libraries can, however, help you devise search strategies for finding information about particular items.
Reference Tools
These printed sources will assist you in finding past and current market values of some items.
- Ahearn, Allen and Patricia. Collected Books: The Guide to Values. 1991.
- American Book Prices Current (ABPC) on CD-ROM. (Annual. 1975-2006.) This CD contains two databasesone for autographs and manuscripts, and one for booksthat provide data from auction sales reported by American Book Prices Current (ABPC) from September 1975.
- Antique Map Price Record [on CD-ROM]. Compiled by Jeremy Pool. Cambridge, MA: Map Record Publications, c2002. Each successive CD-ROM is cumulative from 1983.
- Book Auction Records. (Quarterly. 1941-1995.)
- Bookmans Price Index. (Semiannual. 1964-2007.)
- Book-Prices Current (1888-?).
- Rosenthal, Jon K. Antique Map Price Record & Handbook. Annual, biennial. Amherst, MA: Kimmel Publications, 1993-2000. Superceded by Antique Map Price Record [on CD-ROM].
- United States Cumulative Book Auction Records. Annual. New York: Want List, The Book Trade Weekly, 1941-date.
Internet Resources
Please note: this list does not constitute an endorsement of any business or individual by the Art Institute or by any member of its staff. It is offered for convenience and informational purposes only.
Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America [1]
The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America provides some information about evaluating rare books, along with a link to a web form that will help you find a local appraiser.
Bibliobot [2]
Bibliobot is an online appraisal service created and maintained by PGA Galleries, a San Francisco auction house. Enter relevant information about your book into the web form, and Bibliobot will give you a range of possible values.
If youre interested in finding ballpark prices for your book, sites such as www.choosebooks.com [3] , AddALL [4] or viaLibri [5] will search across hundreds of web sites to find similar items for sale.
Rare Books and Manuscript Section of ACRL [6]
The Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) provides answers to frequently asked questions about old books. Includes a bibliography and links to helpful Internet resources.
Chicago-Area Book Appraisers & Dealers
Please note: this list does not constitute an endorsement of any business or individual by the Art Institute or by any member of its staff. It is offered for convenience and informational purposes only.
Mary Beth Beal (specialist in antiquarian books, manuscripts, and maps)
3919 N. Claremont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
P: (773) 539-0105
E: mbbeal@ameritech.net [7]
Chicago Rare Book Center (specialists in antiquarian books)
703 Washington St.
Evanston, IL 60202
P: (847) 328-2132
E: info@ChicagoRare.com [8]
www.ChicagoRare.com [9]
Glenn Elliot Ferdman (specialist in Judaiaca and Hebraica)
8855 LaVergne, Apt. 1B
Skokie, IL 60077
P: (773) 590-5742
E: Glenn1961@gmail.com [10]
Thomas J. Joyce Company (specialist in antiquarian books)
400 N. Racine, #103A
Chicago, IL 60622-5838
P: (312) 738-1933
F: (312) 243-6252
E: tjoyceco@comcast.net [11]
Kathleen Lamb (specialist in books and photographs)
1539 W. Birchwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
P: (773) 761-7626
F: (773) 761-7681
E: kathleenlamb@sbcglobal.net [12]
Kenneth Nebenzahl (specialist in atlases and maps)
P.O. Box 370
Glencoe, IL 60022
P: (847) 835-0515
F: (847) 835-0519
E: knebenzahl@msn.com [13]
George Ritzlin Maps & Books
1937 Central St.
Evanston, IL 60201
P: (847) 328-1966
F: (847) 328-2644
E: maps@ritzlin.com [14]
www.ritzlin.com [15]
Harry L. Stern (specialist in antiquarian books, atlases, and maps)
777 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2805
Chicago, IL 60611
P: (312) 337-1401
F: (312) 214-2510