I collect them as well, but limit my buying to antique stores, flea markets, and local card shows. I have one dealer who recently sold me some of his early baseball books and I now have the Spalding book, the Anson book, the numbered Boston book, and a few other cool ones. I also have a Spalding guide rebound with Tim Murinane's imprint on the front. I will try to post some pictures over the weekend.
Today I found an 1841 chapbook (Animal Biography by Babcock in New Haven) with a small illustration of three kids (one is holding a bat and appears to be swinging at a ball). This was at a fairly large antique shop, and it was only 20.00. It is now my earliest "baseball" item in my collection.
Overall, I agree that they should be more valuable than they are, but I think the same for old magazines and newspapers with similar content and photos. Especially when compared to astronomical prices for similar pictures on pieces of cardboard (which I also collect).
Alan
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