Our Services

In addition to selling books, James Cummins Bookseller offer a full range of services in related areas, including: gift buying; written appraisal and valuation of single books or entire libraries; cataloguing; box-making, bindery, and conservation services; and confidential representation at auctions (including inspection of books and collection and shipment of purchases). And sometimes, we can even suggest what you might wish to read next. 

Appraisals

We offer USPAP compliant appraisals of single items and entire libraries — books, autographs, manuscripts, art and prints — for donation, insurance, and tax purposes. Henry Wessells is a certified member of the Appraisers Association of America. For more information please e-mail info@jamescumminsbookseller.com or call (212) 688-6441.

Archives and Collections

As a firm we have decades of experience in the placement of archives into both institutional and private settings, either as direct purchases, donations, or combinations thereof. Our expertise across numerous topical fields from the 1600s to the present day — rare, antiquarian, and fine press books; literary manuscripts and correspondence; Americana and African-Americana; women’s history; travel; sporting literature; culinary arts; science and economics; children’s books; and photography, illustration, art, and design, among others — has not only made us particularly adept at managing the cataloguing and organization of large collections of diverse material, as well as managing the associated contractual and financial details that accompany their disposition, but has also enabled us to develop an extensive network of public and private curators. In addition to overseeing new archival projects, we collaborate with  clients on building bespoke collections and augmenting existing one

 Here is a representative sample of materials that have passed across our desks and shelves:

For more information please e-mail info@jamescumminsbookseller.com or call (212) 688-6441.

Auction Representation

James Cummins Booksellers offer our customers the firm’s deep expertise for confidential representation at auction, including viewing, advice, bidding, and collection of purchases at a standard fixed commission. To schedule bidding at auction or request more information please e-mail info@jamescumminsbookseller.com or call (212) 688-6441.

Sell Your Books

As generalists, we are interested in purchasing across an extensive range of categories from Americana to sporting. Please read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about the process and how to contact us. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What do we buy?

We are interested in fine and rare books, autographs, manuscripts, and works of art. You can see examples of quality and categories of interest here. 

What is the process?

We will need to know: author, title, place of publication, publisher, and the year it was published. If there is any additional information on the title page (or on the back of the title-page) such as "second edition", "new edition", "limited edition", one of one hundred copies", "revised and corrected", please let us know.  Most importantly you will need to provide multiple photographs of the book including:

  • Bindings

  • Title page

  • Defects

    • Including but not limited to: foxing, repairs, tears, worming, missing pages, writing

  • Cover and/or dust jacket

If we are interested, we might ask for the books to be sent to the shop for physical evaluation. All items will be insured while in our care and payment will be prompt. 

How do I send you this information?

The quickest way to supply these details is by emailing us the above information, including photographs of the books in question. We can be reached at offers@jamescumminsbookseller.com. 

When will I hear back?

Due to the high volume of offers we receive, we cannot always reply to every email.  We aim to respond to those that we are interested in within a week's time. Please be aware that we will not reply unless you have provided photographs (as outlined above), author, title, place of publication, publisher, and the year it was published.