Guide to Antique Books
Antique books are a fascinating glimpse into world history and the people who once made that history. Antique book collecting can be a guessing game sometimes since the actual age of the book may have nothing at all to do with the appraised value. We’ve all heard about that person who found an antique in a dusty corner of their attic, and it was appraised for a whopping sum of money. Books especially may be found just about anywhere because they are and were usually fairly portable and small.
The Skinny on Antique Books
Probably the most important factor when determining the value of an old book is its condition. It is very rare to find a really old book in great condition simply because of how long it has been around. Pages are often dog-eared, missing or may have writing on them. The binding may be loose or the covers may be damaged. All of these contribute to the book’s overall value.
The overall availability of an antique book may add to its value, especially if the book is in demand. However, even if a book is rare, it may not be in demand by book collectors. Sometimes it can almost feel like a guessing game trying to figure out if the book you have is old, rare or collectible.
A first edition is often considered the rarest of a book’s printing runs. The term first edition can often be used in odd ways and can often confuse a person who is interested in antique books. Most books only ever have a first edition, so you will usually want to have an expert take a look at your book to determine its value.
Often people will assume that because a book is signed by the author it is more valuable. In the 20th century, book signings have been a quite common occurrence, so signed books are not that rare overall. However, generally speaking, a signed book is somewhat more valuable than its unsigned counterpart. Then again, a lot of this will also depend on the demand that is current in the antique book-buying market.
Antique books can be a wonderful item to collect. The overall interest in antique books is fairly steady, so if you are interested in the world of antique books, information is easy to find. There are also book collecting societies that try and help their members become more adept at book collecting. So, look around, you just may find an antique book lurking in a dusty corner.
About the Author
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Superb RARE ANTIQUE GERMAN CANNON Wind Up TIN TOY $65.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE CHINESE FAMILLE JAUNE PORCELAIN VASE 19C $29.00 |
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RARE UNUSUAL ANTIQUE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BRONZE SAMOVAR $1,500.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKY DECANTER $5.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE 14K WHITE GOLD FILIGREE CAMEO DIAMOND RING $874.99 |
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RARE ANTIQUE BRASS TRAIN BEACON LANTERN/LIGHT15lb HEAVY $199.00 |
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RARE SIGNED Antique CLICHY Chequer w/ Rose & “C” Cane $4,225.00 |
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RARE Antique FRENCH SOLID SILVER Bright-cut SNUFF SPOON $114.79 |
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Rare Primitive Antique Wood Chocolate Cookie Mold Press $57.50 |
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RARE ANTIQUE FRENCH OPALINE ENAMEL GLASS MASTER SALT $29.00 |
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RARE Antique Ping Pong Paddle Vintage Table Tennis BAT $36.00 |
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ANTIQUE MULTI FUNCTIONAL WOOD STOVE LID LIFTER RARE $11.45 |
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RARE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN PIN? BROOCH SILHOUETTE 1800s $19.99 |
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ANTIQUE SHAKESPEARE BASS FLY FLUTTER FISHING LURES RARE $62.99 |
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RARE Antique Fraget N Plaque Slag Glass Panel LAMP BASE $20.50 |
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ANTIQUE BRASS SKELETON VERY RARE N/R [ LOOK ] $2.99 |
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Antique Brass Ice Bucket in shape of Bicycle Rare $99.99 |
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Antique Carved Wooden Sewing Box Wheeler & Wilson RARE $49.99 |
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Thai Buddhist Amulet Antiques rare sacred penis 02* $19.00 |
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ART OIL PAINTINGS ANTIQUE 30′S DEALERS & RESELLERS RARE $149.00 |
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LOT OF 4 ANTIQUE CLOCK KEYS RARE *LOOK* $10.49 |
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Rare Antique Baccarat Bi Color Clematis w/Garland $2,549.00 |
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VINTAGE ANTIQUE GREY BEAD EARRINGS GERMANY 1″ RARE NR $4.99 |
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VINTAGE ANTIQUE WHITE GLASS BEAD EARRINGS JAPAN 1″ RARE $4.99 |
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Plates Diana Vintage Princess Queen antique uniqe rare $449.00 |
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Antique Tiger Straw Stuffed Animal Rare $24.99 |
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ANTIQUE RARE WONDERFUL RUG “MUST SEE” $49.00 |
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Rare Antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian Cross Pendant $250.00 |
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Antique Signed C Loudray Women Bust Bronze Medal RARE! $199.00 |
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Rare antique religious book/Pociecha starosci/holy card $24.99 |
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RARE Antique French 18K Gold Sterling 835 Amethyst Ring $200.09 |
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Rare Antique Lebolt Sterling Silver Dance Card Case $149.00 |
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Antique Style Silver Rare Mechanical Pocket Watch Chain $0.01 |
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Rare! Green Antique Venetian Lampwork Bead W/ Gold Deco $80.00 |
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Rare White Antique Venetian Lampwork Bead W/ Gold Deco $45.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE WHITEHEAD & HOAG WILLIAM TAFT PIN $19.99 |
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Antique African Trade Bead Strand 48″ RARE 1700’s $716.00 |
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Rare Blue Antique Venetian Lampwork Bead W/ Gold Deco $75.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE VENETIAN GLASS FRENCH AMBASSADOR BEAD #1U $85.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE FRATELLI PERUZZI SIGNED SILVER VASE*ITALY $499.99 |
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1800’s Antique Soldier Don Quixote Pupi Sicilliani-RARE $895.00 |
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1800’s Antique Soldier Don Quixote Pupi Sicilliani-RARE $895.00 |
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1800’s Antique Soldier Don Quixote Pupi Sicilliani-RARE $895.00 |
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1800’s Antique Soldier Don Quixote Pupi Sicilliani-RARE $895.00 |
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RARE Antique Venetian Princess Porcelin DOLL/Marianette $799.00 |
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rare miniature antique tiny French church messe book $79.00 |
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ANTIQUE RARE, UNIQUE ANGEL FISH PLNTR 3 D GORGEOUS $14.99 |
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CHILE, Rare Antique Revenue Stamp Collection plus stock $5.50 |
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ANTIQUE COBALT BLUE CUT GLASS RARE 6 IN DISH BEAUTIFUL $19.99 |
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RARE Antique c1910 REAL PHOTO POSTCARD 2 Ladies $9.99 |
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Antique Avon Bottle Barrel RARE $5.00 |
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Rare Antique Chinese Pottery *Back-pot* Dragon Phoneix $9.99 |
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Antique wind up celluloid dancing couple with box RARE $49.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE OUTDOOR SPINNING METAL SIGN FISCHL’S DAIRY $85.00 |
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Antique egg laying hen wind up toy – RARE COLLECTIBLE $49.00 |
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VINTAGE ANTIQUE GOLF BAG 1917 R.H. BUHRKE CO. RARE $35.00 |
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Bella Sara Series 3 Antique Flowerpot – 46 of 55 Rare $2.99 |
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Rare Antique Chinese Paper Mache Cerimonial Puppet B NR $195.00 |
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Rare Antique Chinese Paper Mache Cerimonial Puppet NR $195.00 |
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Antique RARE Tin Cup 1 Pint Ice Cream Scoop $195.00 |
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PRONOUNCING EDITION of RARE 1890 HOLY BIBLE~Antique $149.99 |
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RARE VTG Antique French MIRROR PERFUME VANITY TRAY WOW! $199.99 |
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Antique Seth Thomas City Clock Atlanta 1886 RARE $131.49 |
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2 Rare Antique Australian Black Opals 1920s $49.99 |
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SUPERB Ancient VIKING BROOCH Jewelry old antique rare $185.00 |
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RARE ANTIQUE ROYAL WORCESTER PHEASANT SHAKER SIGNED $84.95 |
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RARE! ELSA WILLIAMS ANTIQUE SHOP NEEDLEPOINT KIT $32.99 |
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Antique Sen-Sen Gum Singles, Winter/Pepp Rare (3) $27.00 |
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rare miniature antique miniature knife french fashion $59.00 |
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~Pair Rare 100% Authentic Chinese Antique 2 Tin Jar~19c $299.00 |
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2 Rare Antique Australian Black Opals 1920s $79.99 |
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ANTIQUE 1930’s Coca Cola Large Store Sign CIGARS RARE $1,900.00 |
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RARE BIG ANTIQUE GERMAN GREEN MICA MARBLE 1 1 /4″ $37.52 |
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Antique & RARE 1800’s pool cue rack Huron Mountain Club $799.00 |
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RARE Carmelite Prioress Antique Ebony Vestment Crucifix $103.50 |
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ANTIQUE 1800s IRONSTONE 2PC TUREEN W/ RARE MASK HANDLES $19.99 |
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SET RARE ANTIQUE BLUE & WHITE CLAY SUGAR & CREAMER BOWL $7.99 |
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ANTIQUE & RARE SILVER TRIPLE PLATED BELMONT SILVER BOWL $0.99 |
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Rare Antique Beer Soda Bottle John Hartin & Co Boston $9.99 |
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ANTIQUE PEWTER PLATTER KAYSERZINN 4119 POPPIES BEE RARE $220.00 |
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Antiques Thai Amulets Charm Buddha “GARUDA” Holy Rare!! $0.99 |
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ANTIQUE BEER CROCK manchester ENGLAND rare $14.99 |
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Rare Antique 400 Day Angemeldet German Clock $305.00 |
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RARE Antique Pair of Satin Glass Barber Bottles w Tops $89.10 |
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5×8 Antique Kazak Rare and Beautiful excelent condition $1,995.00 |
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New Michelob Tap Handle Antique look Vintage Rare $22.99 |
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RARE ANTIQUE RUSSIAN EGG-matreshka form c.1900* WOW! $445.00 |
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ANTIQUE c1930 P&L MAGIC WOOD MARBLE VASE + BONUS RARE $9.00 |
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Antique Silver Rare Aspic Server ARBUTUS Rogers 1908 $39.99 |
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2 x RARE Antique Chinese PAIR Lacquered Cabinet Ca 1850 $4,895.90 |
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Antique Loetz art glass vase STUNNING & RARE 4.75″ $71.99 |
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RARE!!!! ANTIQUE SILVERPLATE CHAMPAGNE BUCKET BY GORHAM $29.99 |
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VERY RARE Antique distiilary sign H.C Clay bourbon $8,000.00 |
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ESTATE FIND ANTIQUE DOG BROOCH PIN BROACH UNIQUE RARE $17.00 |
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Rare Antique Holy Relic Card St. Therese of Lisieux Vtg $65.00 |
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Rare ANTIQUE EGG TIMER Little Maid with Her CAT $49.99 |
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Antique Consolidated Bicycle New York – 1900’s – RARE! $149.99 |
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VTG ANTIQUE CELLULOID DECO JEWELRY RING BOX RARE BLACK! $9.99 |
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Thai Buddha Amulet Magic Bird Love Antique Pendant Rare $9.99 |
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ANTIQUE AMERICAN BEACH, FL LICENSE PLATE TOPPER, RARE $135.00 |
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Eastbound & Down Poster TV C 11×17 Danny McBride John Hawkes Katy Mixon Jennifer Irwin Eastbound & Down reproduction Approx. Size: 11 x 17 Inches – 28cm x 44cm Style C mini poster print Pop Culture Graphics, Inc is Amazon’s largest source for movie and TV show memorabilia, posters and more: Offering tens of thousands of items to choose from. We also offer a full selection of framed posters.. Customer satisfaction is always guaranteed when you buy from Pop Culture Graphics,Inc… |
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District 9 Poster B 27×40 William Allen Young Robert Hobbs Sharlto Copley District 9 reproduction poster print Pop Culture Graphics, Inc is Amazon’s largest source for movie and TV show memorabilia, poster and more: Offering tens of thousands of items to choose from. We also offer a full selection of framed posters.. Customer satisfaction is always guaranteed when you buy from Pop Culture Graphics,Inc… |
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Remember The Titans Poster Movie 11×17 Denzel Washington Will Patton Donald Adeosun Faison Remember The Titans reproduction Approx. Size: 11 x 17 Inches – 28cm x 44cm Style A mini poster print Pop Culture Graphics, Inc is Amazon’s largest source for movie and TV show memorabilia, posters and more: Offering tens of thousands of items to choose from. We also offer a full selection of framed posters.. Customer satisfaction is always guaranteed when you buy from Pop Culture Graphics,Inc… |
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The Flood [RARE] $36.48 1. A Bird’s Song 2. Who Falls 3. A Lot to Learn 4. Tell You Something 5. Antique Dreams 6. Used to Be a Train 7. Running Out 8. Albatross 9. No Getting Even 10. Gunther’s Stool 11. Ferrari 12. Strong Pull 13. Bells… |
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Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer $0.01 “America’s #1 Christmas Classic” Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer was directed by Max Fleisher. Tape also features two other rare animated classics shorts “Christmas Comes But Once A Year” and “Christmas Toyshop”…. |
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Carved Window-rare Antique Carved Window Frame 106 $1,888.00 It is a great decorative item for a formal room or near main door entrance… |
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Carved Window Rare Antique Teak Wood Window Frame $625.00 We offer a range of exquisitely designed old doors and columns that are sure to add to the decor of any home. The spark of creativity was there since the beginning of civilization. The immortality of the handicrafts and arts of India maybe attributed to their ability to captivate the beholder. They have remained coveted for their ability to transform homes into absolute places of beauty…. |
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Antique Carved Rosettes Rare False Ceiling Frame 87 $1,790.00 An extraordinary piece with interlocking wood pieces in the back showing the originality of the piece. The wood pieces are arranged in such a way that limited hardware is used to design this antique piece. In olden days it was used as false ceiling in gossiping area. This carved rosette frame can be used as wall decor or as a false ceiling. The patina is original and actual antique…. |
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Canadian Antiques Roadshow: Complete Season One Could Aunt Vera’s tolepainted trunk in the attic be worth thousands? And what about Grandpa Jack’s prized toy soldier collection: treasure or trifle? Part history, part mystery, the Canadian Antiques Roadshow is a fascinating romp through the nation’s attics and heritage. Treasure hunters and history buffs will delight in following host Valerie Pringle and the Roadshow experts as they criss-cross… |
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Million Dollar Cars, Volume 1: From Classics to Supercars. $19.95 Here’s your VIP pass to the high-ticket world of Million Dollar Cars. WheelsTV takes you to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to see many of the world’s most valuable and elegant motorcars, like the “Car of the Kings,” the Hispano-Suiza J12 and the incredibly rare Alfa Romero Bat Cars. Then its off to Laguna Seca Raceway to see million-dollar cars being bought and sold at the most famous collec… |
