Book-Buying Policy
We do buy books! Naturally, we make no promise to buy anything in particular, as it depends on condition, edition, and our current inventory needs. We are interested in some estates and collections, as well as smaller numbers of items from people hoping to downsize or to trade. We variously offer cash or store credit is available for items we buy. Only Ray, the owner, makes offers and does the buying, so he's the one you'll need to talk to.
More desirable books include Michigan history, fiction by Michigan authors, first editions, signed/inscribed books, old children's books in dustjacket, old children's series books, illustrated books, early readers/primers, philosophy or eastern religion, occult subjects, cookbooks (specialized, older, or ethnic), military history, Native American or African-American studies, pre-1900 medical books, agriculture, Beat poetry and fiction, science fiction, mysteries, selected general fiction, out-of-print titles, and anything unusual or curious.
Other items of interest are old postcards, pamphlets, sports programs or ticket stubs, theater/music/ballet programs, magazines and pulp magazines, maps, advertising trade cards, old catalogs, radio items, train timetables, stereoviews, autographs, some original paintings (particularly art from paperback covers).
We do not buy Reader's Digest condensed books, most textbooks, most encyclopedias, book club editions, incomplete sets of books (especially on subjects that get outdated quickly) or virtually any book in fair to poor condition.
It's best to phone the owner, Ray Walsh, with any questions about specific books you'd like to sell. Even though a book may be old, that does not necessarily mean it is valuable. Also, several thousand copies may have been printed of popular or recent titles—thus, it's possible we already have that book in our stock. Ray is sometimes at Curious, sometimes at our sister shop, the Archives Book Shop, and sometimes off on some other errand. Please do not come in before talking to Ray to ensure that he will be available.
If you would like more details, feel free to email us.