For the past 30 years, I’ve owned an extremely valuable book. It’s a second edition copy of Pride and Prejudice that’s more than 150 years old. Every now and then I have taken it gingerly out of its box, unfolded its acid-free wrapping paper and admired it. I have always been aware of how much money it is worth, and so I have treated it with tremendous care.

I may have been mistaken.

“I felt like a participant on an episode of Antiques Roadshow, ready to be stunned and amazed by how much my little book could fetch.”Credit:

Recently, I took my antique book to be valued by a rare books expert. I wanted to know if I should insure it, or preserve it differently, or make provisions for it to be passed on in my will.

I was terribly excited to meet with the expert. I felt like a participant on an episode of Antiques Roadshow, ready to be stunned and amazed by how much my little book could fetch. I wondered if I would be tempted to sell it if it was worth a truly staggering amount. I love the book, but if it could buy me a new car, I could probably be convinced to part with it.

Well, one part of that fantasy came true. I was definitely stunned and amazed by the expert. He examined the book, muttered something about it being “interesting”, and then........

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