Do you sometimes wonder if any of the old books you have around the house are worth anything? Probably not your college trig text, but maybe that 1882 book, “How to Talk,” that you picked up at a yard sale?
Come learn about old books and get a free appraisal from an expert. Ken Gloss, owner of the Brattle Book Shop in Boston, will talk about the value of old and rare books Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum. Gloss said in a phone conversation that he tells lots of stories because he wants his presentation to be lively and entertaining. He wants people to leave thinking old books are fun. There’s time for serious book talk later, he said. Even if you don’t have a book to bring, this is a great opportunity to learn about old books and to hang out with fellow bibliophiles.
Ken Gloss (left) shows a book in his shop to an unidentified customer. (Courtesy photo)
“I like to show off,” said Gloss, so his talk will include a “show and tell” of such things as a program from the 1912 World Series and a truly ancient book. Gloss will talk about the history of the internationally known Brattle Book Shop, located in Boston’s Downtown Crossing area, right next to the building where 19th-century educator Elizabeth Peabody held meetings. Opening around 1825, the shop is one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian bookstores. Gloss will describe some of his favorite finds, like the early copy of the Declaration of Independence worth “half a million” that he found in a lady’s box of old papers and letters. As a collector, he has many interesting stories to share. He had one client who had collected 3,000 copies of “Walden” over his lifetime.The first edition might have had a blue cover, and he had to have that, and then he had to have the edition with the mandarin cover, laughed Gloss. For would-be collectors, Gloss will offer guidelines about what to look for in purchasing old books. He will also explain what makes a book go up in value and why something that seems valuable may actually be worthless.
The talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session, and then Gloss will spend half an hour or so giving verbal appraisals of books that attendees have brought with them. His expertise has made him a frequent guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow. He said 99 percent of the time he can appraise a book very quickly; for something requiring some research, he will follow up at his shop. At almost every session “somebody brings in something wonderful,” Gloss said, adding that the most fun is when the owner had no idea of its worth. Surprisingly, people are often happy to learn a book they thought had value is not worth much. It frees them from responsibility; they don’t have to worry anymore about keeping it safe, said Gloss.
‘Little Women?’ It’s tricky
Asked about copies of “Little Women,” Gloss said it’s tricky because the book was originally published in two volumes, not exactly at the same time. It’s hard to acquire two volumes that match, he said. It’s still a popular book, and lots of tourists want inexpensive copies.
This is the 69th year that the Gloss family has owned the store. Ken succeeded his late father, George Gloss, a well-known figure both in Boston and national antiquarian circles. According to a press release, Ken had worked in the store since childhood and chose to go into the book business rather than pursue a doctorate in chemistry. “I found that books were in my blood and that I would never be really happy if I abandoned the business,” said Ken. He became sole owner of the shop upon his father’s death in 1985.
The shop is three stories high and houses more than 250,000 books, maps, prints, postcards, and ephemeral items in all subjects. Gloss has a series of letters from members of Brook Farm, describing the fire that put an end to the utopian community. In addition to the general stock of used and out-of-print books, the shop maintains an inventory of first editions, collectibles, and fine leather bindings in its rare book room.
Gloss is a member of numerous antiquarian booksellers organizations, a Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and a member of the board of overseers of the USS Constitution Museum. He is a contributor to the WGBH annual auction each year there is a fund drive. A popular guest on public radio, TV, and cable stations, Gloss has also written articles for various antiques journals.
The event is free but space is limited and preregistration is required. To reserve a seat, go to fruitlands.org.
