200+ year old book verification?

[RugerFan]

So, I was gifted a "Hand Book for Infantry" dated 1813. The person I got it from doesn't know the history behind it, but thinks it's authentic. It absolutely looks extremely old and may very well be legit (or maybe too good to be true). How would I go about getting this verified?

https://i.postimg.cc/h42dbHmC/INF-Regs2a.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/NfLrNp7Q/INF-Regs1a.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Hossfly]

That would be one to take to Antiques Road Show. You might just be rich.

[Bazoo]

You might could find a museum that could put you in touch with an expert.

[Pigboat]

I just googled "old book appraisal in georgia" and it looks like most of the possibilities in Georgia are in Atlanta.

[M-Tecs]

Per here the estimate value is $200 to $300 https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/pook/a-hand-book-for-infantry-1813-1843642

[RugerFan]

Per here the estimate value is $200 to $300 https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/pook/a-hand-book-for-infantry-1813-1843642

Interesting. It was given to me by a relative because I’m retired Army. My son is currently active duty Army, so he will likely get it eventually. I would have thought it would be worth more, but wasn’t planning to sell anyway.


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[gbrown]

Check with the Library of Congress, they have the answer,

[William Yanda]

I suspect there is a museum at Ft Benning, GA. As that is the home of the Infantry School, I would start there.
Great memories of my time there Aug, 1971 to Mar, 72, especially time with the Infantry Chorus.
Bill

[Wayne Smith]

More importantly go the the Infantry Museum and ask to learn how to preserve it for the future. That is the more immediate problem, the paper is yellowing and this suggests some acid deterioration going on already.

[RugerFan]

More importantly go the the Infantry Museum and ask to learn how to preserve it for the future. That is the more immediate problem, the paper is yellowing and this suggests some acid deterioration going on already.

Yes, I was thinking about that.


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[JSnover]

More importantly go the the Infantry Museum and ask to learn how to preserve it for the future. That is the more immediate problem, the paper is yellowing and this suggests some acid deterioration going on already.

That has a lot to do with current value being less than we might have hoped for. A lot of old books aren't worth a lot unless they're really old and in really good shape inside and out; no stains or discoloration, no wear, no tears, tight binding.

[1Hawkeye]

Looks legit to me. Most reprints are of Casey's infantry tactics 1855 and Hardee's light infantry tactics 1858? and the reprints look like new for the Civil War reenactors to learn from and use at living history events.

[starnbar]

Look at the date of publication and the point of manufacture as some books around that time were still printed in England and shipped to the colonies.

[bangerjim]

Handle ONLY when wearing clean fresh white cotton gloves. I have a number of very old books/tomes that I rarely open due to potential damage to the bindings and pages, but know they are 150-300 years old. I also keep them in large zip-lok style bags to keep O2 and air-borne contaminants out. And stored in a dark closet away from light.

[jonp]

Best done by some who deals in old books. Binding, type of paper, print style even analyzing the ink might be needed.

What a great gift. Be very gentle with it until you find out if its authentic. Temperature controlled room away from sunlight would be good. As mentioned try not to touch the pages with your bare hands to prevent oils from damaging it.

[GONRA]

If GONRA hada book like that, would seek some Local Book Crazy.
Just give it to him to deal with to make SURE its not all SCREWED UP!

We have our guns, they have their Beat Up Olde Books. A DIFFERENT WORLD....

[relics6165]

Rugerfan:
No question its real, I have quite a few of the early Army Manuals from that approximate time period. Here's yours on the Advanced Book Exchange:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30904573976&searchurl=kn%3Ddiscipline%2Bfor%2Binfantry%2B1813% 26n%3D100121503%26sortby%3D17&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title3

[RugerFan]

Rugerfan:
No question its real, I have quite a few of the early Army Manuals from that approximate time period. Here's yours on the Advanced Book Exchange:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30904573976&searchurl=kn%3Ddiscipline%2Bfor%2Binfantry%2B1813% 26n%3D100121503%26sortby%3D17&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title3

Very cool, thank you!


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[jonp]

Abes is my first stop for used books.