Original Godey's Lady's Book question

[sarahbear922]

Hi everyone! My fiance and I recently discovered a very cool Civil War antique shop here in Jacksonville. Looking around at the vast quantity of books, I figured he had to have had a Godey's magazine somewhere in one of those stacks! So I asked, and in stead, he places an original Godey's Lady's Book from 1849 in front of me and I practically caught myself drooling.

The price on it is $250, and I have it on layaway now. But I wanted to double-check with those who had more experience in buying originals like this - Is this book worth $250? I wouldn't have a clue, to be honest, but I don't want to be cheated, obviously. The book is in fairly good condition, considering the age, and ALL of the pages (including fashion plates) are still attached.

Thanks so much for any help!

P.S. I realize this has little to do with the Civil War reenacting. However, much of the information in this book was still relevant to a woman in the 1860s, especially since Godey himself never wanted his journal to take a side during the war (readers had to look elsewhere for war-related information). I haven't done quite enough research to see how drastically the attire changed between 1849 and 1861, but I'm willing to say a sock pattern, etc. never quite took a left turn in design.

[bizzilizzit]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

Wow, that price seems steep for a Godey's NOT from the CW years. I have several period ladies books - single issues (one month) I've bought for $15 - 25, with color plate. Bound books of the year I've paid $65 to 150, with color plates intact. Price always depends on condition - perhaps yours is mint?

[sarahbear922]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

The pages aren't incredibly tattered, but the cover is a little worn, and some of the pages are ripping just a little. But I have a friend who found a Godey's book from the 1850s that was going for almost $300, and another lady seemed shocked that the book I was buying was "cheap". I've tried looking online for the same book on sale to compare prices, but no one seems to have one up.

[Spinster]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

Value on the bound Godeys depends on a number of things, not only condition, but war years and the condition and appeal of the color plates--the appearance of these could vary with the colorist. Its not unusual to find a volume where a number of the plates have been cut out--thats where the framed ones come from.

Now, price is also going to depend on where you find the volume--on the square in Gettysburg for a wartime volume is going to be easily $100 more than the same volume in a small town somewhere in the midwest.

Still, a quick reivew of Ebay says this one may be a bit overpriced. But one thing I've learned in buying vintage things---if it is something I love and want, I better get it now--if I don't, I'll regret it, and will never find another one quite like it. If you love it, enjoy it, and learn from it.

Yes, some patterns won't change--but many will. Fashion does change, and while our eyes may not easily recognize it in the lush trim of the period, we have only to think of what was the height of fashion in 1995, and wonder how curiously outdated we'd look wearing it today. In some cases, not bad, especially for an older woman or for working attire--I'm certainly pulling on my late mother's old, but not worn clothing to keep house for daddy, work at the farm, and run to the grocery. Its sensible sturdy clothing. But I would not pull a dress out of that box and wear it to church--it would look strange and outdated.

[sarahbear922]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

Mrs. Lawson, that was extremely helpful! I'm extremely excited about getting my hands on it, despite the price at this point. I actually only recently found out that the color plates were hand-colored, which was obviously a nice tidbit of knowledge, and all of the pages are nicely in their place! I'm just glad the man I'm buying it from is willing to wait over a year for a complete payment.

[MrsArmstrong]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

Sarah
That is pricey! Did you know many of them are free online.
Monday, December 28, 2009

Peterson's Magazine (full view)
1848 Vol 13-14

http://books.google.com/books?id=FGjHEyPuXW0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0_8nVpQZHOSQVKIGs2&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1850

http://books.google.com/books?id=kVHQAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1855 Vo. 27-28

http://books.google.com/books?id=iBoAAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=iBoAAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1856 Vol 29-30

http://books.google.com/books?id=fptHAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1857 Vol 31-32

http://books.google.com/books?id=UJxHAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1858 Vol 33-34

http://books.google.com/books?id=Hp1HAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1859 Vol 35-36

http://books.google.com/books?id=pX7NAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0_8nVpQZHOSQVKIGs2&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1860 Vol 37-38

http://books.google.com/books?id=LH_NAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0_8nVpQZHOSQVKIGs2&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1861 Vol 39-40

http://books.google.com/books?id=HIzNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0_8nVpQZHOSQVKIGs2&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1862 Vol 41-42

http://books.google.com/books?id=JKBHAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1864 Vol 45-46

http://books.google.com/books?id=8aBHAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1865 Vol 47-48

http://books.google.com/books?id=OKFHAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

(Full View - other editions)

http://books.google.com/books?q=editions%3A0KlxMJrIgSnpqdO27W&id=4iHQAAAAMAAJ&as_brr=1

http://books.google.com/books?q=editions%3A0_8nVpQZHOSQVKIGs2&id=pX7NAAAAMAAJ&as_brr=1

Godey’s
1862 Vol 64

http://books.google.com/books?id=-YBMAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1861 62-63

http://books.google.com/books?id=iYBMAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1858 Vol 56

http://books.google.com/books?id=ZX1MAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1858 Vol 57

http://books.google.com/books?id=8n1MAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1857 Vol 55

http://books.google.com/books?id=Y8hMAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1856 Vol 52-53

http://books.google.com/books?id=R8dMAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1855 Vol 51

http://books.google.com/books?id=K8ZMAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1854 Vol 49

http://books.google.com/books?id=UcVMAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:03syfbEUQVd9X6gEYsS&lr=&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Try googling for a specific Godey's (year) and see what comes up. I recently did that for a Peterson's 1863 (only one not free online) and purchased one for $54.

Hope this helps. Where in Jax (Florida) are you? I recently moved here, what store did you find it in?
Susan Armstrong

[sarahbear922]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

I'm on the Westside, close to the Clay county line actually. But we were told about a place called Uncle Davey's. It's a really neat place, all of his stuff is primarily Civil War!

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

This is Virginia's spouse commenting.

Buying from a bricks and mortar store, $250 is almost what I would expect for a full year Godey's. We had the experience many years ago of purchasing a full year Godey's for half that amount -- but only because the seller thought it was only six months. I think that was an 1858.

Being able to download them is great but it will still never beat being able to cradle the book in your hand and wondering whose hand held the book 150 years ago.

Michael Mescher

[bizzilizzit]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

Being able to download them is great but it will still never beat being able to cradle the book in your hand and wondering whose hand held the book 150 years ago.

Michael Mescher


Ahh! There is nothing like the feel and smell of an old book - I thoroughly agree with Mike! :nerd:

[sarahbear922]

Re: Original Godey's Lady's Book question

Yeah, I definitely think I'll still buy it. The condition isn't bad, and I don't really own any original copies of anything! I'm very excited, regardless of the price.