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

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I have a book, The Origin of Species, volume 2, 1889, is it worth a lot?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How can I find out how much my copy of Mein Kampf is worth?

Emma Miklášová

Community Answer

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

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If a rare book is missing its dust jacket, is it still worth anything?

Community Answer

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.

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Where can I find out if children's books written in the 1930s, 1940s or even the 1970s have monetary value to anyone now?

Community Answer

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

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Question

If the price is cut off from the inside dust cover of a book, does that reduce its worth?

Community Answer

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."

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Question

Etruscan art/ Tarquinius Frescoes, 1961. Is the book worth anything or of any importance?

Charlize Barnes

Community Answer

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

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How do I find the value of old books when I can't find information on it?

Community Answer

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

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Where can I find a site online that tells the value of children's books, specifically Little Golden Books?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How can I fix the price of a history book which is 200 years old?

Community Answer

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

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Question

My mother wrote her name in the books. Does that diminish the value?

Community Answer

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.

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I have a signed copy of a book by former president Jimmy Carter. Will it increase in value after he dies?

Community Answer

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.

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I have a 1915 Kelly Blue Book. Is this worth anything?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It's possible that it is worth something. Take it to a used-book store and inquire. Incidentally, according to Wikipedia, the first Blue Book was not published until 1926.

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Question

I have a book on religion which is dated 1648. I have not been able to find this book anywhere on the Internet. Who would be the best person or firm to contact to find out more about it?

Community Answer

A university or seminary may have more resources. If you know which religion the book is about, you could try asking a leader of that religion whether they know where you can find out more about it.

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Question

If an old book has an error, does that make it worth anything?

Community Answer

Possibly but more likely, no. The book having an error probably means it is one of the first few printings. As mentioned in the article, that can up the book's value. On the flipside, it could be intentional and therefore giving no added worth to the book. Also, errata additions by way of a piece of paper with corrections on it have been added to books for centuries, and it does not necessarily change the value of the book.

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Question

Does the publisher matter when finding the value of old books?

Community Answer

It depends. For example, if a publisher published 100 copies of a book in the 1930s, and was the first to do so, then it matters. The book is rare and old, and therefore possibly valuable. If the publisher printed 2,000 books two years ago, it is worth nothing if based on these facts.

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Question

Why are the prices of old books so volatile?

Community Answer

Supply and demand, more or less. If more people want or are interested in that book for whatever reason, yet not many copies are available, the price can be high to buy one. On the other hand, if there are a lot of copies, the price may be lower. Old books with unique qualities, such as first editions, author signatures, aged but in good condition, etc., will sell for more. If people become less interested in the book, the price will drop as the number of people fighting over the copies will drop.

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Question

How do I know if a book from the 19th century is worth anything?

Community Answer

You can take it to a book store or library to get it appraised. They will be able to tell you the value of the book that you have.

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