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Eeek!
In a word, Dan, YES!
If the '51 British GP programme is in good condition, expect a memorabilia trader to be asking punters about £40-£45 for it. If there's a crease or two in the cover, perhaps £25-£35. I've even seen a scruffy '52 with a laser copy cover going for a fiver.
Goodwood programmes? Well, again a trader will ask about £15 for one. Especially that early. From the fifties, anticipate that you can hold out for a fiver for even the most run of the mill Brands Hatch 500cc races.
Also expect decent money for fifties International Trophies, and the real holy grail are Le Mans programmes. Also check them carefully in case they have been used as autograph books. I once bought an Australian GP from a trader for a reasonable £7. When I got it home, I found it had autographs of Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Martin Brundle, Keke Rosberg and Alan Jones.
Even a humble Crystal Palace programme once revealed Peter Arundel and Alan Stacey autographs, next to their listing on the entries page.
Tell me, are there any Brooklands pieces in the collection? Even if you didn't want to part with them, I would be interested in a copy or scan of the contents, for a research project. NB Brooklands programmes never, ever fetch anything less than £15 if they are even readable.
All of these prices assume that you don't take them to a dealer or someone with a vested interest in taking a cut. If you are prepared to ask around, make their availability known, generally do the work that the dealer reckons is worth his take, then you will realise a better price. Let's face it, if a dealer is going to try to charge £40, he's going to try to make you accept £20 to make it worth his while.
As always, the items are worth what someone else is prepared to pay for them. One of the best buys I ever made was from a brochure collector who had a load of Silverstone programmes. He knew what they were, and he simply didn't want the hassle of carting them around and touting them for sale. The £2 apiece I paid recouped his investment, made space in his shelves, and saved him hiring a stall at an autojumble. It also made me a VERY happy bunny, but that's beside the point.
You've found a wonderful treasure trove, and a fascinating archive to boot. Look after them well.
[This message has been edited by TimD (edited 14 February 2000).]
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