What Is The Oldest Book You Own?

[thaddeus6th]

I've got a decent copy of The Jungle Book from 1922, completed with elephant and swastika on the cover. Got a rather ropey copy of some King Arthur tales from about 1910.

[Rane Longfox]

Well I guess it belongs to my dad really, but a second (I think) edition of Lord of the Rings. Signed by Tolkein, no less

[Who's Wee Dug]

I Have a H/C copy of The First Men in the Moon, H.G.Wells but there is no date on it done a search nearest I can come is an inscription date on the search copy of 1910 it was published by Nelson Library so it could be near 100 hundred years old or just over.

The next one is Jurgen by James Branch Cabell 1932

[K. Riehl]

Well I don't own it yet but it is willed to me from my Father. It is a first edition of De Re Metallica. 1556 printed in Latin.It is essenitaly the first book printed on Mining, Metalurgy and Assaying.My Father already owned a signed 1912 Hoover translation and he wanted an orignal. So around 1988 I scouted book stores until I found a copy in Canada. It's really cool to own something over 400 years old. The plates are amazing and it made me learn enough Latin to be able to read it.
As for my SFF collection I have a second American edition of Jules Vernes' A Journey to the Center of the Earth. 1874 special deluxe edition. Picture below

[mosaix]

Staunton's Chess Player's Handbook - 1857. Bought it on e-bay.

Staunton's Chess Praxis - 1860. This has an inscription in black ink - Mr J Pidgeon L'pool Dec 29 1869. I suppose it could have been a Christmas present. Strangely enough, my daughter bought it for me as a Christmas present two years ago.

[McMurphy]

I once owned the first six Tarzan (Edgar Rice Burroughs) books, first editions, along with the first Scarlett Pimpernel (Emmuska Orczy), first edition. I have since parted ways with such gems.

Now, unless I am overlooking an example, the only (semi) old edition of a book I still have is a 1947 hardcover London copy of The Short Stories of H.G. Wells.

Hmm...This is a very good thread idea. So good in fact, that I may just need to steal it for the Comic Book Board.

[tangaloomababe]

The oldest book I own is actual a History of Britian's Monarchy. It was printed in 1900 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne, well for another year anyway. Its not in the best condition, but I love reading bits and pieces of it now and again.

[Talysia]

I used to have a 1959 copy of Treasure Island, although it's become lost somehow. I'll have to look for it.

[Cerberus]

Oldest book in my collection that I can find at the moment (im sure I have older) is a 1887 copy of Little Women and Little Wives by Louisa M Alcott from 1887.

SciFi wise the oldest is probably a copy of 6 Stories by Heilein (original title: The Unpleasent Profession Of Jonathan Hoag) 1961

[Overread]

hmm I know that somewhere I own an old complete set of the Chronicles of Narnia in a box - however the bindings are in serious need of repaire, as to is the box (and one sibling at some point in the distant past had a pen - need I say more)

Aside from that I have a copy of Don Quixote, old, hardback, but does not have a printing or publishing date inside - I have no idea what it is about - - its on a long reading list

[HardScienceFan]

v Zittel's 'Grundzuge der Palaontologie'
about 1927
great illustrations
AND: still cited!!!!!!!!!!!

[dustinzgirl]

The oldest book I own is in storage. Its an early 1900's copy of Latin Catholic prayers, rites, and some songs. Found it at a flea market and just thought it was cool. Its in storage. Has some handwriting on it thats hard to make out but I think it was a gift.

And the oldest sci fi book I own isn't very old at all. Wish I had some cool old stuff though.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Hmm...This is a very good thread idea. So good in fact, that I may just need to steal it for the Comic Book Board.

I have my moments......

Yes, a thread on what is your oldest comic would be good.

[ambershadow]

The oldest book I own is a 1847 copy of an algebra book. Go figure I taught math in high school for a while.

[Weasel Soup]

Emile Zola's "His Excellency"

1897

Sole Authorized English Version

New York
The MacMillan Company
London:MacMillan &Co. Ltd

In suprizingly fantastic condition