Inflation or recession?

I just spent a little time searching online for Father Hardon's Catholic Prayer Book to give to my kids' three bible study teachers on the day of their last class (which is in two weeks). If I had thought of it sooner, I could've added them to my recent order with Adoremus, since they just had a 20% off coupon with free shipping I took advantage of.

I ran through several online Catholic booksellers and couldn't even find Father Hardon's book at some!! I know I could run down to my local Catholic bookseller (Leaflet) and pick it up, but thought I could manage all this from the comfort of my desk and was hoping to find a deal with an online seller (my grandfather was a horse trader extraordinaire so it's in my blood). I then searched the big name places like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but they only had it through second-hand dealers, so that means no discounts and no free shipping.

I then looked at Alibris and was astonished to find that my copy of Father Hardon's Prayer Book has greatly appreciated in value.

I can get the book BRAND NEW through Alibris (who would get the book from Adoremus):

Father Hardon's Catholic Prayer Book: With Meditations
by John A. Hardon
price: $13.95
Ships within 2 to 3 days
Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Eternal Life, Incorporated
ISBN-13: 9780967298900 ISBN: 0967298903
Description: New. 100% Brand New! -Excellent Customer Service!
Name: Adoremus Books, NE, USA

Or, I can get it USED from two other dealers...the same book that was only published a few years ago in 1999.

Father Hardon's Catholic Prayer Book: With Meditations
by John A. Hardon
price: $277.40
Ships within 2 to 3 days
Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Eternal Life, Incorporated
ISBN-13: 9780967298900 ISBN: 0967298903
Description: Used - Very good Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Name: More Books, FL, USA

Or, a used copy in even better shape...

Father Hardon's Catholic Prayer Book: With Meditations
by John A. Hardon
price: $320.86
Ships within 2 to 3 days
Binding: Hardcover Publisher: Eternal Life, Incorporated
ISBN-13: 9780967298900 ISBN: 0967298903
Description: used - Fine New or Like new condition. Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Name: More Books, FL, USA

At $277.40, I could buy nearly 20 copies of the book new, and at $320.86, I could buy 23 copies. Maybe I should sell my pricey used copy to Alibris (or More Books in FL), then take my profit and order from Adoremus and still have money left over :)

This makes no sense...

And I have a small collection of old books.