Paid $5, then contacted by Pawn Stars...

I found this unusual book filled with illustrations at the Goodwill. It was $5. I did some researching and realized it’s a book of currency and postage stamp vignettes. Every page is filled with a vignette including what appears to be the same one of George Washington’s portrait on the $1 bill. Someone wrote the date 1865 in the book and the name “Burt” is written on several pages; it’s in really good condition. I was told this is an American Bank Note presentation book (it says that on the spine..). Joseph Lesley’s name is on the front of the leather. I counted over 71 vignettes. I’m not sure if he made this book or if it was presented to him.
Does anyone know any more info on this/its rarity, how much this is really worth? I’d post photos of it but I’m not sure how, as it just says to enter a link? Oh, and in regards to Pawn Stars, I had the book listed for sale on an ecommerce community when one of the show’s producers emailed me wanting to know more info on the book, as they’re interested in having it in the show. That’s when I figured I should do more research on this $5 book, but I couldn’t find the best info—the only similar items I’ve found were pages of vignettes for sale...never a book filled with them.
Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

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*American Bank Note Company

 

Super interesting!! I'd love to see some pictures!

 

Sounds interesting! Pictures would be fantastic!

 

Haha beat ya to it!

 

@Bookcollector check out this thread on how to post pictures:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-to-post-and-add-photos.309963/

 

Man, that sounds like an absolutely sweet buy from a Goodwill. Sorry I don't have any info on it, but I bet's a gem in the rough.

 

Thanks! Will try that now

 

Here's the first round:

 

And a few more:

 

@USS656

 

that is amazing. for $5 you did amazing. I am sure that book is worth good money. not sure how much.

 

Interesting! Very nice! You can check this out to see if it the one you have. http://www.icollector.com/American-...resentation-Vignette-Book-ca-1860-s_i14073363

 

Is that shorthand under the description?

 

Beautiful! Congrats on your find, but don't let Pawn Stars have it.

 

Great find and in agreement with LA_Geezer, do not let Pawn Stars purchase it from you, but would have one of their so called professional know-it-all's, give you some back ground on it, if they bring you on. Love to see more pictures too.

 

Sorry, Bookcollector. I promise not to scribble in your pages any more !!!

 

Say “Hi” to Rebecca for me!

 

Five dollars? I would have gone $500 for sure, probably over $1000. At auction, it might go for a lot more - actions can be unpredictable. They don't show up that often on eBay or Heritage, but when they do, the individual vignettes generally go anywhere from $10 each to up to $250 each, depending on the design and condition. [I've seen the page with Lincoln, Grant and the foreign dignitary go for $200 just by itself. The title page alone would go $50 up.] It may be worth more as a complete book, but the condition knocks a little off the value as a complete book. It would probably be worth more if pages sold individually, but I wouldn't do that myself.

 

What a great find and I certainly hope it turns out to be the real thing. All those vignettes in one place bound in leather? I would never break it apart.