How Many Rare Books I Sell In A Week

This week I'm focusing on trying to find new homes for the rare books and manuscripts I have in stock. Let's see how I get on.
To register for my 'Secret Histories' catalogue, click here: www.tomwayling.co.uk/register

[@dimitriwillems8735]

I know this is a books channel, but I really enjoy the videos where you also talk about the business side of things. It's such an interesting business that you run.

[@tomwayling]

Glad you enjoy it! Was a little unsure about whether people would find this side interesting but I'm glad they do

[@vulpinemachine]

​@@tomwayling as a small business guy doing niche stuff myself I appreciate it.

[@nidhishshivashankar4885]

@@tomwaylingfor sure you will get a wider audience talking about business along side the books themselves

[@PopeLando]

I've always fancied the quiet life of a bookshop owner. WHADDYA MEAN 15 HOUR DAYS??

[@tomwayling]

Haha yeah it’s a lot of work!

[@Anonyomus_commenter]

In fairness it’s 15 hours at (mostly) your own pace and without nonsensical corporate regulations

[@n.m.sh.8706]

It's also weekends and the busiest time is around holidays.

[@Anduz001]

I like Tom even more after this video. What a cool, hard working guy!

[@aureaphilos]

So Tom, you've now got me looking through some of the books I've purchased, received, or collected over the years, and one that is relevant to today's video is my copy of The Silmarillion. I bought this copy during my senior year in high school, 1977, and it's a First Printing of the First American Edition from Houghton Mifflin Company. JRR had died 3 years earlier, this was Christopher's first publication as editor, and since I was already a big Tolkien fan, I grabbed the hard-copy version for $10.95. The dust jacket is well worn, and there are some spots where the corners of the binding have worn, but it is a well-loved book. I took it from Vermont to South Dakota for grad school, to France for more grad school, and back home to Vermont. I've read it many times, and now my daughter is reading it.

[@mikeedmondson-sk8xt]

I miss buying and selling books etc. To crippled these days, however, you have inspired me to give it ago again.

[@rajramnarine123]

Never give up, Mike!

[@fluxpistol3608]

Too*

[@mikeedmondson-sk8xt]

@@fluxpistol3608, Thanks*

[@cozmoee]

@@fluxpistol3608Correcting a cripple’s spelling is diabolical

[@klaire74]

Everything is so interesting, matching the book with its new owner. The two prayer books are exquisite. I hope they will have a new home soon. Thank you for sharing all this process with us!

[@tomwayling]

I hope so too!

[@mattys1467]

A fascinating insight, thank you for being willing to share with us

[@mattyipad4788]

I must admit I’m not a book person, but your passion for them is what draws me into your videos

[@cozmoee]

I’m beginning to worry i’m becoming a book person due to this

[@roadrunnercrazy]

Thank you so much for sharing the business side of bookselling. Some of us are figuring it out as we go and don't have a savvy dad to talk it over with. 🙂

[@bradleychamberlin]

Love this video and the long-form style: would love to see more similar content in the future!

[@tomwayling]

Thanks so much! I worry about this kind of video being too rambling, so I'm glad people still enjoy it!

[@peterlawson8563]

It’s always fascinating to see behind the curtain, Tom. I have a copy of the LotR in that edition 😊

[@jusatin]

These are my favourite videos. Thank you for being so open about this fascinating business, cannot wait for more!

[@mookrage]

Well well well. Saw your video on the history of western philosophy. Got a 1st edition with war office map for a good price. Thought id sell it on.....but it smelt like a book should so im keeping it! You, sir, are my guru

[@kurjan1]

Thank you for this insight. Something that strikes me; you in the UK and also our friends in the US have such a long and rich pool of books from which to draw your stock from. The challenge I have observed here in Australia is that relating to new books, we forever have imported nothing but garbage. Very few first editions, very few limited or special editions etc etc... When you go book hunting there simply isn't anything of value. Having said that, there are book collectors like myself who do purchase a lot from the UK and US. These people do have amazing collections, however when you understand the enormous cost of shipping these books to Australia, the dilemma then becomes when trying to buy the books, they want their $150 -$200+ back to cover the shipping. It makes for a difficult dynamic which I am trying to wrap my head around how a rare book dealer would work here. Don't misunderstand, there are book dealers here, but when you examine the pricing, the sellers must have been absolutely roasted on price. It is my opinion, if sellers are being so burned, it can in no way be positive overall for the hobby of book collecting in Australia.!?

[@llywrch7116]

You could do similar to what book collectors in earlier days used to do: go traveling abroad with an extra suitcase to fill with your purchases. But yeah, even being in the US & buying books from Europe, the cost of shipping can be steep. Discouragingly steep.

[@robertawalsh2995]

I feel your pain! I admire several authors who were published in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Back in the day, the problem was finding what I wanted in paper catalogs but I could buy nearly anything I could find. Now, I can find wonderful things online but I can no longer buy whatever I want because the cost of shipping can be as much as10 times the price of the book. ☹

[@maryannec.moravec6289]

Wonderful information enthusiastically delivered Thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks

[@orzelgryf]

I'm just checking your online shop. Those Christie books look cool :D Anything in them worthy a little shorty short video? I love Agatha's novels :D

[@orphu88]

I love this so much! I could watch you talk about your work forever. I work in a used bookstore, but we don't deal with many antiquarian books, so this is fascinating. I'm going to check out your website and possibly treat myself to an early birthday present.😊

[@Pappajb26]

Great video as usual,can you do a video on how you prepare and pack your books for posting.

[@romac9516]

Fascinating, just stumbled on the channel, looking forward to following along :)

[@timwarren7403]

A great video; thanks, Tom. You work so very hard to build your business, and I'm rooting for your success. Thanks for putting out all this content, very interesting.

[@aadamtx]

I know you're still young in terms of a business, but have you noticed any fluctuations in buying or selling yet? At our large used bookstore here in the States, we know that December is a big sales month, and now April will see an annual Book Crawl - visits by potential buyers to about fifteen or so independent bookstores (new and used) in the Houston area. Weekends are always better for sales than Monday/Tuesday. And further on the business side of things, are you required for tax purposes to do an annual inventory? That's a requirement over here. I'll be in Oxford hitting the shops in about two weeks, but I focus on US authors - so no stepping on your toes. ;-)

[@cesargonzalez1804]

I am an English major and this channel is everything thing I need! Thank you go these videos ❤

[@lebronzejames]

Your easily one of my favourite people on here. Like Anton Petrov is for space you are for books my friend much love from Canada. ♡

[@tjchatgptgoat]

It breaks my heart that you have to sell your books but This channel has become my new addiction! What an amazing escape during the middle of a day - much love from New Orleans.

[@hyper2382]

Damn thats cool underrated profession

[@nathdan08]

Interesting stuff, love it mate, keep them coming! :)

[@definitelynotvj]

discovered your shorts in Facebook, now I'm here. I really love old books too! Th xx

[@bradykelso8682]

Wonderful video. Wishing you all the best with your bookselling!

[@alexkerridge]

Great video as always!

[@JP-ik3hr]

Endlessly interesting as always!

[@tonypickles2389]

Thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thank you

[@MaxVolumeHD]

That dust jacket map is so cool. Wish I could consider spending such money

[@rolay504]

I really enjoy listening to you calm and nice voice. It is a great combination with interesting content and a good voice :)

[@wilfredruffian5002]

Best of luck,keep at it.

[@angelawesneski5029]

I love these videos! So fun!

[@paulhunt9890]

Love books. Love bookshops. Loved this! Thank you.

[@yasinconcepts5235]

This is a great channel, thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Could you do a bookshelf tour, also would like to see more of the Arabic books you get, even if they sell quickly.

[@The_memory_be_green]

this type of video is awesome, loved it.

[@General_reader]

My question is, when is the coffee made?

[@darger3]

Love this format.

[@SF-ru3lp]

Very interesting video, Thomas. You are a great antique bookseller! (Imo!) Best regards. G Ire

[@otakunemesis34]

You give me hope, thank you good sir.

[@heather333]

I loved this vlog. So interesting.

[@kaeligrace]

Thank you for sharing this side of the business! Really neat to watch! I collect, buy, and sell vintage girls’ toys and while they aren’t worth nearly as much as your books (for the most part, anyway), it’s pretty cool to see the similarities. I thrift all the time for toys but I’ll definitely be checking the book section when I’m out now!

[@LauraGraceWriter]

Love this kind of video Tom! I'd also really love to get an idea of the net profit you make selling books - maybe you wouldn't want to share that on individual books but perhaps you could do a weekly or monthly net total sometime to give us an idea?

[@archieyoji3806]

Thats a nice amount of money for a week!

[@jajessee]

Thanks!

[@tomwayling]

Thank you!

[@Dmitrij-nl3sc]

Good idea.

[@francisnowak11]

What is the craziest find vs what you sold it for?

[@rogerflack415]

Very enjoyable video. Reminds me of my days working in the bookselling business. That took a big hit with the end of the Net Book Agreement and a lot of independents went under. £4,000+ - I wonder what the profit margin is on this.

[@paulcheney3636]

Thats a beautiful copy of The Lord of the Rings I would love to visit your shop Best wishes

[@Dave_S]

The deluxe edition of the Hobbit still seems like it's up for sale on your website - did you have two copies?

[@tomwayling]

Yes - the second copy came later in the week so didn't make the video!

[@Kuchi-e_woodblocks]

I was actually very curious before you posted this video, but it seems apropos now. You being a collector of rare books and owning a business selling the same items you collect, how do you keep from selling your more prized possessions when you need to refill the coffers? This is one thing I’ve always struggled with! I always have items I could easily sell, but those are typically the same items I cherish the most.

[@stevena9384]

Did I listen to this whole video in the background while on a mental health walk? Yes, yes I did. Question if I may: Would you be willing to say how much the cost of the books were to get the 4135? Not individually but your total cost. I know there’s many more expenses related to time and processing and shipping and everything else, but just a rough idea of what your initial outlay was. Thank you so much. 🙏🏻

[@willmcconnellsimpson1411]

I’d be interested to know profit as well as revenue, as well as how you source/choose books to sell.

[@MorganInForm]

Off topic but really nice wrist watch! What kind is it and do you collect watches?

[@darthkarr]

Do you happen to know anypone who has a original david day tolkein besitary for sale. Remebr a old friend has his dads old copy and the art in it was just beautiful. Espcially the full 2 page map of Arda, but all the modern ones dont seem to have alot of what i remember from the book.

[@tomwayling]

Yes, I do! I've just added a first edition of it to my website so you can buy it if you like. Use the code ARDA for a little discount. Tom. - www.tomwayling.co.uk/product-page/a-tolkien-bestiary

[@Keeping_IT_Simple]

Loving this beneath the covers of a rare books bookseller series!! Did your final total £4135 include the cost of the books you purchased during the week ?

[@MoriMementa]

Pardon my ignorance, but do you have a physical store or are all your transactions online? I'm so glad I stumbled across this channel. It's really interesting.

[@KiwiExpressCream]

Brilliant video Tom, really enjoyed it. Being self-employed can be tough so I hope you are able to strike a good work/life balance.

[@tomwayling]

Hoping I can eventually!

[@davejackson9601]

Hey Tom, could you tell me why some red dustwrappers on books fade? In my collection I have some that have faded over time and some that the colour has remained perfect. Some of the ones that have faded are newer than the ones that haven't.

[@klausolekristiansen2960]

14:05 IKEA's Billy bookcase. How do they keep the hinges from damaging the books? I have a piece of cardboard at each end of every shelf with a hinge.

[@louishej8364]

Curious about how much you spent on the books you sold, would be fun to see as well.

[@oz_jones]

Do you use a specific program to catalogue your books or just a spreadsheet? I have been looking into one for my own home library.

[@KiwiExpressCream]

I use an app on my phone called CLZ Books which is brilliant. You have to pay an annual subscription of I think it's about £13 but it's easy to use, brilliant search for adding books to your collection, and it backs up to the cloud for you as part of your subscription. Can't recommend it enough.

[@tomwayling]

I use a British programme called Bookseller, but as the name suggests its geared more towards dealers than private collectors. A spreadsheet can do a lot of what one needs to record though!

[@Divig]

Now reduce that income with your buying price for the books, rent and some sort of salary... I envy you for working with what you love, so I really hope that it pays the bills. 😊

[@yurkshirelad]

How would someone know if the books they have are worth more than a tenner?

[@HairySand]

Is this gross or net profits?

[@MaxVolumeHD]

Clarkson's Farm is brilliant. Love it

[@potterendergaming5335]

I found a 1986 deluxe edition of the hobbit nearly excellent condition in a charity shop for £250 is that good price?

[@DemonOFSM]

What books I will not sell for any money in your collection, or if you finds them?

[@folkertdejong6974]

Do you ever get a book you’re sure will sell, but doesn’t, or a book a surely wón’t sell because it’s… well, yours to keep?

[@lewakar]

I look at you and wonder's that if you're chill twin of Tom Nicholas

[@GuardianMehmed]

do you read them before selling

[@tomwayling]

Many of them are books I’ve read before, but I’d go bankrupt if I read every book that passes through

[@e-artemas7295]

Hey I’ve been trying to reach you. I have the George Elliot works collection but it’s an older edition. If you’d like to take a look at them let me know. Cheers

[@arthur.boeken]

as if this is a normal week.. you recorded liquidation week for the video title amiright?