To the high-paying collectors, "condition is everything"
unless the book is so rare that a copy in good condition is unobtainable. If you
are not experienced in determining the correct (although always subjective) way
to describe a book's condition*, you will need to take the books to someone who
can look at them. A good used-book dealer in your area should be able to help
you determine the values, or direct you to someone who can. If you are
interested in selling the books, ask the dealer to make an offer. Since the
dealer must pay overhead costs and assume all the risk, the price quoted to you
should be one-fourth to one-half of what he or she expects a buyer to pay. If
the books are valuable, the dealer may be willing to take them on consignment at
an agreed-upon percentage (25 to 50%).
If you decide to sell books yourself, you will also need to buy
& study copies of
There are printed books that give book values, but expensive and quickly go out of date. They do have some value in that if you find your book listed there, you know it is a "collectible" book. Try a used book store to find any of these, and ask the bookseller for advise.
To determine values via the internet, I search for the matching title among the used-book web sites listed at Search for Books with Rising Dove.
I compare the condition of my copy to the one described. Remember that to a collector the "first edition"
means the first PRINTING, which is not always easy to determine, since each publisher uses a different system or systems to indicate a first printing.
Even the statement "First Edition" is no guarantee.
Another trick is to check auction sites for matching titles. Make sure you check the listings of *completed* auctions; the dealer's asking price may be simply wishful thinking, but the price someone has actually paid is a true indicator of what someone else is likely to be willing to pay.
If you want to get the books to a safe place
quickly, and still make some money, try donating them to a University Library.
They should be willing to have the books appraised and to help you with the
paperwork necessary for getting a nice tax deduction.
Unfortunately, I no longer have time to offer free help in estimating the values of books.
There are others who will do so for a fee. One example is book-appraisal.com.
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Top Take care of your collection: Archival Methods manufactures a full range of archival storage solutions, image protection and presentation products. Please support my Website: Donations may be made by check to Miriam A. Kilmer 4503 Hazeltine CT APT J Alexandria, VA, 22312-3203 shop with Recommended Merchants for the Ecologically Aware and Rising Dove Affiliates Can't find it? Search for Books and Recordings with Rising Dove Bookstore 
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