Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison ends up paying $8,000 for a rare book that cost the guest only $25 (marketrealist.com)
Pawn Stars’ Rick Harrison Scores Big on Rare ‘Anne of Green Gables’
Rick Harrison and the team at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop are no strangers to literary treasures, but a recent episode saw a particularly exciting find: a first edition of “Anne of Green Gables.” The seller, Matt, had stumbled upon the classic at an estate sale, initially unaware of its potential value. A little research later, and he was hoping to strike a deal with Harrison for a cool $18,000.
Harrison, ever the shrewd negotiator, quizzed Matt on his knowledge of the book, delving into its history and author, Lucy Maud Montgomery. He recounted the manuscript’s initial rejections before its eventual publication and immediate success. However, the $18,000 asking price gave him pause, prompting him to call in rare book expert Rebecca Romney.
Romney, CEO of Type Punch Matrix, provided insight into Montgomery’s motivations for writing the novel. She then carefully examined the book’s condition, noting a “broken hinge,” a common sign of wear, especially in well-loved books like this one. Despite its condition, Romney assessed the book’s value at $17,500, much to Matt’s delight.
The ensuing negotiation was a classic Pawn Stars showdown. Matt lowered his price to $14,000, only to be met with a counteroffer of $8,000 from Harrison.
After a bit of back and forth, the two finally settled on $8,400. While less than his initial asking price, Matt still walked away with a hefty profit, considering he’d originally purchased the book for a mere $25.
Another day, another deal, and another piece of literary history passing through the doors of the Pawn Shop.