Q&A for How to Find the Value of Old Books

Yes, any book before 1900 is a collectors dream. Find one, and you can get well over what it's worth.

Try googling it on sales sites, such as eBay or Amazon. If you can, try consulting a bookseller or a specialist.

Quite possibly, yes, depending on how rare the book is and whether you can find the right collector. Dust jackets often deteriorate anyway and are not the most important part of the book.

Take them to a history shop or book appraiser to find out their worth.

If it's only a small cut, then probably not, unless there was something notable about the price or the dust cover itself. (Most early dust covers did not survive, and some of them are worth more than their books.) Depending on other wear, tear, and marks on the book, it may tip it from "as new" to "excellent," or "excellent" to "very good."

It's hard to say. Go to get it authenticated and go to book stores to see if there's any interest.

You can usually take it to an appraiser or do some more looking around on the internet.

You can check eBay, or just google the title of the book and the year of publication and see what pops up.

They will range in value depending on their condition and completeness. They are generally valued between $50 and $300 each, with pristine copies or rare editions fetching more. Check sites like AbeBooks, eBay, or Biblio for similar listings, or consult a rare book dealer for a more precise appraisal.

To find the value of your 1957 copy of *What Jesus Said*, search AbeBooks, eBay, or Biblio for similar editions. Unique details like first editions or special bindings can add value. A rare book dealer or local antique bookstore can also help. The condition and demand will affect its worth.

Your copy might need verification, as the first edition of that book was published in 1887. Look for unique features like first edition marks or illustrations. Check sites like AbeBooks or eBay for similar editions or ask a rare book dealer for an estimate. The split spine may lower the value slightly, but condition and rarity matter most.

The value of your book depends on its condition, rarity, and demand. As it's in good condition and illustrated, it might have some collector value. Later editions are usually worth less than first editions but can still hold interest if rare. Check online marketplaces like AbeBooks or eBay for similar books, or consult a rare book appraiser for an accurate estimate.

It may hold some value, especially if it's a first edition or in excellent condition. First editions from 1965 (Jonathan Cape, UK) or early reprints can range from $50 to more than $1,000, depending on the condition and presence of a dust jacket. Your 1966 edition might be worth $30 to $150, based on these factors. Check listings on AbeBooks or eBay, or consult a rare book dealer for a precise valuation.

You can donate your 1914 dictionary to a library, archive, or historical society. Consider selling it online or to collectors, even in its current condition. You might offer it to friends or book enthusiasts. If no one is interested, you could repurpose it into art or crafts. Recycle it only as a last option.

Your 1991 Illinois Revised Statutes may have limited value but could interest collectors, law libraries, educators, or legal professionals. Try selling them on eBay or similar sites. If there is no interest, consider donating to a library or recycling them.

The value depends on its condition, rarity, and demand. Check similar listings on eBay or AbeBooks for pricing. For a more accurate value, consult a rare book dealer or consider selling it through an auction house.

Your 1921 "Victrola Book of the Opera" is typically valued between $20 and $50, depending on its condition and edition. Check similar listings on eBay or AbeBooks. For an accurate estimate, consult a rare book dealer or list it online with clear photos and details.

Your 99-year-old Edna Ferber book, signed and in good condition, could be valuable. Signed first editions, especially of popular works like "Show Boat," can sell for $275 to $1,200, depending on condition, rarity, and demand. A verified autograph adds value. Consult a rare book dealer for an appraisal or check similar listings on eBay or AbeBooks. Auctioning it might also attract collectors and higher offers.

That's a reprint, since the original was published in 1950. It probably holds more sentimental than monetary value. You can check eBay or AbeBooks for similar listings, or consult a bookseller for a valuation. Reprints usually aren't as valuable as earlier prints.

A 1913 fourth edition of Robert Burns' poems may hold moderate value, depending on its condition, publisher, and any unique features like illustrations or special bindings. Such editions are typically valued between $20 and $100, with higher prices for well-preserved copies or rare bindings. To determine the exact value, check similar listings on AbeBooks or eBay or consult a rare book dealer.

Your collection may be valuable depending on the edition, condition, and completeness. First editions or early prints in excellent condition are worth more. Similar sets are on sites like AbeBooks, with prices varying widely. Deluxe editions can sell for $400 or more. Consult a rare book dealer or check eBay for accurate pricing. Auctioning may attract collectors if it is in good condition.

Your 1908 edition of "Ben-Hur" by Lew Wallace, published by Harper & Brothers, is a later printing with modest value, usually selling for $5 to $25 depending on condition. Check eBay or AbeBooks for similar listings, or consult a rare book dealer for a more accurate appraisal. Its historical value may exceed its monetary worth.

It depends on rarity, demand, and condition. Prices for similar Goodspeed histories typically range from $100 to over $1,000. Rare editions in excellent condition, especially with intact illustrations, often fetch higher prices. For an accurate valuation, consult a rare book dealer or check sales on sites like AbeBooks, Biblio, or eBay.

You have an Icelandic book from 1856 by Dr. P. Pjetursson, a notable Icelandic figure. One known work from that year is "Reports on the Pastoral Seminary in Reykjavik," significant for understanding Icelandic ecclesiastical history and education. Consider consulting a rare book dealer or appraiser familiar with Icelandic works for more information or valuation.

If you can't find your book listed, contact a rare book dealer or certified appraiser who specializes in antique books. You can also join online forums or groups for rare book collectors to seek advice. Auction houses like Sotheby's or Heritage Auctions can also help with valuations. These experts can assess your book's value based on its rarity and condition.

The value of your hardcover "Representative Men" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, published by Hurst & Company, depends on its condition and demand. Hurst & Company produced many reprints, so its value might not be high unless it is in excellent condition or has unique features. The handwritten date adds historical context but likely does not increase its value significantly. To estimate its worth, check similar listings on rare book sites like AbeBooks, where prices vary depending on condition and edition. For a precise valuation, consult a rare book dealer or appraiser.

It depends on its condition and the current market demand, with online listings ranging from approximately $6 to $32. Keep in mind that these are asking prices, and the actual selling price may differ. For a more accurate valuation, consider consulting a professional appraiser or a local rare-book dealer who can assess the book's condition and provide a market-based estimate.

Research it online and/or show it to a book collector or a used book store.

Yes, but not necessarily by very much. You can't sell them as "like new," and it could decrease the condition from "excellent" to "very good," depending on the condition of the books. Some collectors even enjoy having "ex libris" stamps/cards in their secondhand books.

It probably won't increase in value immediately, but as time goes on and books (and other objects) signed by him become harder to come by, it might. It depends on the book, too.