Even today, with the interest in the Civil War and its books at an all time high, more Civil War book and manuscript collections are carelessly dissipated or sold in haste than are handled properly.  Immortal as you may be, someday someone is going to dispose of your collection and, if that someone doesn't know anything about books and doesn't know who to contact, chances are your books will go to the Salvation Army, the library book sale or to Joe the local book dealer who's a fair enough fellow, but who doesn't know anything about Civil War books and thinks $5 each across the board is equitable, including your first edition of Company Aytch, etc.

    Be smart—give me a call before in extremis arrives and I will send you written information of my procedure for buying Civil War books and manuscripts.  For thirty years, collectors have been telling their wives "Call Tom," two words that take the worry out of disposing of your collection.  However, fair's fair.  Wait another fifteen years and call here asking for Tom, and whoever answers will probably tell you he's not here anymore—he got "called."  Happens to the best of us.

    Each year, we sell thousands of out-of-print and rare Civil War books and manuscripts.  This stock must be constantly replenished; thus, we travel some 60,000 miles a year purchasing Civil War material.  Most of our purchases are made from individuals.  However, of hundreds of purchases a year, ten or fewer large collections constitute the majority of books we buy.

    Though we are glad to purchase small lots of books (25 or less) and individual volumes of value ($100 or more), we are most interested in, and will pay most for, large collections.  For these collections, we will pack the books (properly and carefully), transport them door to door in our van (insured), issue a catalog with each title of value listed individually (per this catalog), purchase all books (not just the best and leave the rest), and pay a percentage of retail value.  If you prefer, we can estimate the value of your collection and purchase as is, where is.

     With 30+ years of experience in buying and selling out-of-print and rare Civil War material, plus 18 employees, we have the knowledge and ability to handle any size collection expeditiously and competently.  We wrote the Price Guide for Civil War Books, have issued over 350 catalogs, and are able to command the highest prices for Civil War material.

vBroadfoot's:  30 years of selling Civil War books full time—more than 290 catalogs—18 employees.  We have sold many of the better collections offered in recent years including: Richard Harwell, Bell Wiley, Bob White, Lee Wallace, Cary Close, Robert Sommerfield, The Late Unpleasantness.  In addition to individual collections, we have purchased the Civil War stock of D. A. Bulen, Lost Generation Bookshop, Gitmans, McCowat Mercer, Continental Book Company, etc. With Broadfoot, you're in good company.  References provided—better yet, ask around.

vNo shipping or packing. Our competent people will pack your books, load them, and move them from your door to our store in our vehicle.  Your books are in good hands all the way.

vNo need to make a listing of the material.  A complete listing of the collection is made (our catalog), listing each item of value individually with a description and price—this catalog being an example.  We don't buy on consignment—we purchase outright.  If and when the books sell is our concern, not yours.

vAt no charge to you, we will clean your books as needed, make repairs as needed, fit the better book with acid-free mylar dust jackets and place pamphlets and fragile material in protective folding slipcases. These extras ensure that your titles are protected and preserved; this will increase the value of your collection substantially—at no cost to you.

vWe can handle any size collection, though the average purchase is in the $15,000-$75,000 range.  Perhaps most importantly, our purchase of your collection can be set up in advance.  Upon request, we will visit and review the material, estimate its value and offer a percentage of retail value.  There is no charge for this service and no obligation is incurred.  Most people, even veteran collectors, are surprised at the high value of their collections.  Invariably a collection of quality books purchased five or more years ago realizes more to the seller or his estate than the original purchase price of the books.  Quite a few Civil War collectors have advance purchase agreements with us.  If you have a large collection which will someday be sold, we'd like to hear from you.

vIf you are considering selling your collection or would like more information, give us a call.  If you live near one of the Civil War shows we will be attending, come by and talk with us.