Depends on the book. Someone gave me a hardcover book about firearms from the early 1900s that had all kinds of frilly decorations and engravings on the cover, the chapter pages have decorative script, and there are hand-drawings that are on par with photographs. Not only is it visually pleasing but the content is better than anything from modern times. Theres a whole chapter on the specifics of smokeless powder manufacturer and details of cannon shell making. I don't know how much it's worth but I would have paid $75 for it.