1947 Red Book question

I spent the day visiting antique stores and did not find anything interesting so I decide to check out some of the thrift sores since most are having a 50% off sale today. At the second thrift store, I find several Red Books together on the shelf and lo and behold I find a 1947 Red Book in what is probably F-VF condition.

Can anyone tell me how to distinguish the first printing from the second printing of the 1947 Red Book? The edition I bought has blue pages on the inside front and back cover. I will add images as soon as the batteries in my camera are charged.

Nighthawk

 

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No, but nice find . Hope someone can help .
rzage

By the way how much was a 1909 -s vdb back then

 

Here are a couple pics...

As for the 1909 S VDB, the book lists the coin at $8 in fine and $15 in Unc.

One important question...as I was photographing the book, I started thinking that this book could be worth several hundred dollars. I have now put the book into a protective sleeve but what is recommended for long term storage? This book will be going into a safe deposit box tomorrow.

Thanks for your input.

Nighthawk

 

These go for the big bucks on Ebay...I have been trying to assemble a full set for some time now. You can usually find them like you did, but not a nice 47 like that, WOW !!!

I have seen as high as $300-$500 on the bay

 

the 2008 redbook lists the 1947 redbook 1st edition at 325 dollars in VG. and the second edition at 275 in VG. The way to tell the difference between 1st and 2nd edition is by looking at the bottom of page 135. The first printing has on the end of the line reading ‘ scarcity of this date” while the second printing reads “…scarcity of the 1903-o”

 

Awesome bit of information there Monkeyman, Thanks !!!

 

Thanks Monkeyman, I checked and I have a second printing.

As for storage, I am thinking silica gel and a Zip-lock baggie.

 

Nice find!

 

nighthawk:
Excellent purchase.

what monkeyman said is correct, about the two printings.

So, now tell us which printing you have.

Also, lets see a picture of the back page and the spine, and I will be able to approximate the grade for you.

Just to be jealous, what did you pay for the book?

Congrats,
Frank

 

I have a complete collection of the Red Book. Never knew there was a difference in the first and second printing. Interesting. Of course my older books are pretty beat up since I bought them way, way back in the 40's and 50's and had to use them. Now it's one of those things I say to myself, why didn't I take better care of those?

 

You might want to rethink the silica gel. While moisture is a bad thing for coins, paper requires a higher humidity level or it dries out and becomes brittle.

 

conder101:
Good point.

 

I'll take 10 uncs , LOL , the shop where I mostly go , sells older Red books , I bet your is worth $150-250 , again nice find .:smile:kewl:hya::whistle: rzage

 

Nice grab!!! I'm constantly searching used book stores, antique shops and flea markets and I cant find any editions older than 1961. Our local coin shop only carries the latest edition. Consider yourself very lucky to run into a deal like that.

 

What I thought was really cool was under the contributer page was the name Farran Zerbe. He was noted as having a fit when the US mint came out with the morgan dollar. So it is said that he had the mint make him a 1921 Morgan Proof. He was also an ANA president as well. Very neat!

 

Frank,

Attached are the two pictures you requested. As I stated in my response to monkeyman above, the book is the second printing. As for the price, the store usually sells hardback books for $2.99 but since they were have a 50% off sale, I paid $1.50

 

Silica Jel

Forgot to add... A few weeks ago I was doing some research on silica gel for my job (research chemist) and I was surprised to learn that silica gel can be used as a humidity buffer and maintain a humidity range between about 40% and 55% RH. During the very dry winter months, the silica gel will actually desorb water and raise the humidity in the container while still adsorbing moisture in the summer months. I am no expert, but the trick is to get the silica gel pre-conditioned to the right humidity prior to use in the container. For those that are interested, there is a great deal of research on the subject in relation to protecting artifacts on display in museum showcases.

Nighthawk

 

nighthawk:
$1.50!!!!!
I think that I hate you!
(Just kidding, I think).

However, looks like about a VG condition.
How about a picture of the spine (with the words).
Nice purchase.

 

Wow......at $1.50 you cant go wrong even on the most common edition of the Red Book let alone the first edition.

 

$1.50? Why I'd be willing to give you at least $2 or $3 for it. Of couse you'ld have to pay for postage.:smile
At a flea market a few years ago there was a guy selling the Red Books for $1 each. Mostly all from the 20th Edition to about the 40th. I passed on that deal since I have them but sure would have been nice to start a second set.
As to those Silica Gel packs. I know they are still used for shipping products but for a home, apartment, etc you just can't beat a modern dehumidifyer. I'm in a high humidy area and mine runs most of the time but the humidity is kept low. Probably would take a million of those gel packs to do that.