Can anyone help me in appraising a first edition, signed book???

Wow! That is awesome! Have you tried a museum to see if they can forward you to someone? I'm always looking at old books to see if I discover one that spectacular! Good Luck!

My parents have found out they have ecoli and other harmful bacteria in their well and septic that was put in, in 1954 and it going to be $44,000 to replace it all so I'm trying to help them come up with the money because they sure do not have it.

If I can get anything out of this it will all go to them. They've been bringing gallon jugs over to my house and filling them for water. Absolutely horrible to see them having to go through this in their late 70's. It just never ends...

Thank you! I have not tried a museum, but will. I actually love to read old books. I am a speed reader and can easily go through 9-12 thick books a day..I love hitting up the little hole in the wall consignment shops, I've found my very best buys there. I get the funniest looks carrying out bags full to the top of books! Lol

you could try a used book seller. Maybe they could point you in the right direction.

Contact Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Sounds rare and a priceless possession. How did you acquire it, may i ask?

OP: I'm an autograph collector and international member of the UACC and can refer you to a certified appraiser who can authenticate Washington's signature. The charge for authentications can vary widely from $50 to a couple of hundred.... but, don't count on selling your item without one! Usually, you may simply scan the signed bookpage and e-mal it to them, but on significant historical items [such as yours] you would need to send it to them registered mail and -of course- insured.

NOTE: I seriously doubt your signature is genuine, so don't get your hopes up too high - just yet.

Here's the site to a reputable appraiser.

www.padaweb.org

If PADA certifies your piece as authentic, BY ALL MEANS get a 2nd opinion. John Reznikoff of the University Archives is about the best there is.

GOOD LUCK! A genuine George Washington is worth ten's of thousands of dollars, depending upon condition and several other factors, including the provenance [where you can prove the history of the piece and where you acquired it].

Washington died in 1799, you know?

OP: allow me to invite you to visit the UACC website:

[link to uacc.org]

this link will take you directly to their page which explains the appraisal processes as well as listing several reputable experts who may assist you.

Understand there is a difference between an appraisal and an authentication. The first will basically tell you what your item its worth, but it's the 2nd that is most important, because you will NOT be able to sell your piece without a solid authentication - especially for a significant piece such as a Washington document.

If you do receive a positive verification of authenticity, your appraiser would likely suggest you offer your item on consignment to a major auction house such as Sotheby's or Christy's. through them your piece will be shown to serious collectors with very deep pockets that will ensure you receive the most money possible for your autograph. Know also that this will come at a price and a seller's commission will be deducted from the final hammer price.

Again: GOOD LUCK!!

We had our well tested recently to find e coli three times I sent off the water because we have been drinking it for nearly 20 years with not one issue....the local plumber here for nearly 40 years told us to dump a bottle of bleach down the well he said that plant matter can get into the well and cause this issue not animal poop....

we did it flushed the pipes and had another test done and all was fine...

you could smell the bleach in the water for a few days but we just drank bottle water for that time...or you can dump the water from glass to glass about 10 times and the bleach with dissipate

sure a lot cheaper than a new well might try this first...

good luck with the book