Shopping for antiquarian collectible books can feel like a choice between two different hobbies: some buyers want a readable piece of history, while others want a scarce object with a story that starts well before their own. The four hardcovers here span a wide range of listed prices. One is a 1913 psychology textbook; another is an 1887 pharmacy reference. Your decision will come down to whether you value subject matter, age, condition, or rarity.
Quick Take
- The 1913 William James *Psychology* volume is the only psychology-focused title among these four.
- The Carl Sandburg biography is a 1941 printing with illustrations by James Daugherty.
- The 1874 novel from Lee and Shepard is an original printing with a story-focused description.
- The Lochman *Dose and Price Labels* book is an 1887 pharmacy reference with collector's-edition attributes.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Sandburg's *Abe Lincoln Grows Up* (1941) | USD 14.00 | |
| The 1874 Novel from Lee and Shepard | USD 40.00 | |
| William James, *Psychology* (1913) | USD 9.50 | |
| Lochman's *Dose and Price Labels* (1887) | USD 1,175.00 |
Decision Matrix
| If your priority is... | The best match is... | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A psychology-focused addition to a collection | William James, *Psychology* (1913) | It's a 1913 Henry Holt textbook with an abridged treatment of James's larger work. |
| An illustrated Lincoln biography | Carl Sandburg's *Abe Lincoln Grows Up* | The 1941 printing pairs Sandburg's text with James Daugherty illustrations. |
| An original 19th-century novel | The 1874 Novel from Lee and Shepard | It's an original printing from Lee and Shepard with a story about a young girl. |
| A rare pharmacy/medicine collectible | Lochman's *Dose and Price Labels* | It's an 1887 second edition with collector's-edition attributes. |
Product Notes
Carl Sandburg's *Abe Lincoln Grows Up* (listed as Books & Magazines Antiquarian & Collectible Literature & Fiction Classics)
If you want a named author and a specific historical subject, this $14.00 hardcover from Harcourt, Brace and Company is a reasonable choice. It is the 1941 8th printing of Carl Sandburg's biography of Abraham Lincoln, with illustrations by James Daugherty. It has a blue cloth cover with gilt lettering, clean pages, and a tight binding. The limitation to weigh is condition: there is moderate wear at the top and bottom of the spine, no dust jacket, and natural age toning. For a collector who wants a presentable reading copy of a Lincoln biography, that trade-off is easy to accept; for someone who expects near-pristine condition, it may not be.
The 1874 Novel from Lee and Shepard (listed as 'antiquarian collectible books')
This $40.00 hardcover is an 1874 novel by M. Carrol, a pseudonym for Martha Brooks, published by Lee and Shepard in Boston. It is an original printing, so it carries a different feel than the 1941 printing of the Sandburg title. The story follows a young girl supporting her family, which could appeal to readers of 19th-century fiction or anyone interested in early narratives about young women. The main limitation is the listed price: at $40.00, it's the second-highest here, more than the Sandburg and James books. If your main goal is a lower-priced reading copy, the cheaper options may serve you better.
William James, *Psychology* (1913)
Listed at $9.50, this hardcover is the lowest-priced book in the set. It is a 1913 Henry Holt college textbook, part of the American Science Series, Briefer Course, and an abridged version of James's larger *Principles of Psychology*, with line drawings. The reason to choose it is the chance to own a William James title from 1913 without reaching higher into the price range. The limitation is physical: there are pencil marks on a few pages, and it's a century-old textbook, so expect some signs of age. If you're fine with a study copy that shows use, this is a sensible way to add this title to an antiquarian collection.
Lochman's *Dose and Price Labels* (1887)
With a listed price of $1,175.00, this hardcover is the highest-priced option in the set. The title says OOAK, and the only other copy is in the Library of Congress. Published by Dunlap & Clarke in Philadelphia, it's a second edition rewritten and thoroughly revised by C. L. Lochman. It focuses on late-19th-century pharmacy, covering dosing and pricing labels. The reason to choose it is the combination of age, subject, and collector's-edition attributes. The limitation is condition: the top third was torn off, and there is minimal writing. For a high-priced collectible, that damage is a significant consideration.
Final Recommendation
If the lowest listed price matters most, the William James *Psychology* volume is the pick. For an illustrated Lincoln biography, the Carl Sandburg title offers a clear pairing of two names. For an original 19th-century novel with a narrative focus, the Lee and Shepard 1874 book is the one. And if rarity and pharmacy history take priority-and the torn upper portion is acceptable-the Lochman 1887 book could be the centerpiece.
