It might be worth a lot to a potential buyer to have that old book in your attic.Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" was auctioned off for $150,000 in 2011.If you know your copy's edition and publication details, you can assess its market value.Look at the book and online resources first.If you want to get more input, get the help of an appraiser.Your book's monetary value depends on the market and what a buyer is willing to pay.
Step 1: Key information can be found on the title page and the copyright page.
The full title and author's name should be noted.The publisher's name, city, and date of publication are some of the details to look for.The book should be opened to the first page.Pass any blank pages and the half-title page if there is one.The title page can be found after these.The following page is for the copyright page.The information you need may not be original to the pages within, so don't rely on the dust jacket or binding to find it.The information they give may be incomplete.
Step 2: Determine the edition of your copy.
First editions and rare editions are some of the books that book collectors prize.If your book is a first edition, a revised edition or a limited edition you should check the title page and copyright page.The other key identifying information is printed along with the details that may impact the value of your copy.The title page of some first editions has the words "First Edition" written on it.If you only see a single publication date, you can have a first edition book.If you see multiple publication dates listed, you can identify a reprint.The word "Printing" or "Edition" can be included in a ream.Sometimes a book can be re-released by a publisher other than the one who originally published it.The press is not the original publisher of the work, so it's called the "First (publisher name) Edition".
Step 3: A record in an online catalog can be used to match your book details.
If you have a list of key identifying information, you can compare it to the official publication history of the book.Visit an online catalog such as World Cat, the National Union Catalog (NUC), or a print or digital author/subject bibliography that has been published about your book's author or topic.You have to search by author, title, and imprint to find a record that matches your copy.There is a different entry for each known and suspected edition of a book.Where your edition fits within the title's overall publication history will be shown to you.This will show you how old it really is.
Step 4: You can use the catalog information to find out how rare your copy is.
It's difficult to determine the number of private owners, but you can look up how many copies are in public, corporate, and collegiate libraries.You can see how many copies of that edition are accessible by searching for it in World Cat, NUC, or another online reference.The more copies there are, the more valuable they are.If you are having trouble looking up your book in the online catalog, ask the library to help.
Step 5: The book's pages and plates need to be confirmed.
To find out how many pages and illustrations your book should have, look to the catalog record.Do you know if your book contains all of the original pages and plates?If the pages are stained, discolored, creased, or torn, look at your book to see if any edge treatment like gilding has held up.Refer to antiquarian terminology when defining the damage.The monetary value of an old book can be affected by condition and completeness.
Step 6: There is damage to the book's binding.
The front and back boards of the cover should be attached to the spine.There are binding stitches and glue.A book without its binding is incomplete.If your book is rare, a copy in worse condition will always be less valuable than one in a better condition.
Step 7: If applicable, examine the physical condition of the cover and dust jacket.
The outer cover and spine should be checked to see if they are faded, ripped, or warped.Check to see if the book still has its original dust jacket.Take the condition of the dust jacket into account.The dust jacket that came with the book may not be worth as much.
Step 8: In antiquarian terms, summarize the book's physical condition.
Refer to antiquarian guides to determine your copy's condition.The term "like new" means the book is in perfect condition with no visible defects.Increasing levels of defects are indicated by terms including "very good," "good," and "fair."The physical condition of your book is related to the grade you assign it.If the book has library markings, you should refer to it as an ex-library copy.The book's pages are in good condition but need a new binding.Even with considerable damage, old or rare books may still be worth a lot.
Step 9: Evidence of the book's provenance can increase its value.
If it belonged to a notable owner, your book's history of who owned it in the past can have an impact on its value.Check for a bookplate with the owner's name, a handwritten signature, or an authors autograph.If there is a compelling story in your book, you should try to find documentation to back it up.If you want to confirm the previous owner, look into family records.
Step 10: A qualified expert will appraise your book.
You need to get a formal appraisal if you want tax incentives or insurance coverage for your book.A dealer in second-hand or rare books can appraise books for you.The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers is one of the groups.If you want the physical book to be looked at, you need to track down an appraiser in your area.It is important to be prepared for the investment of an appraisal because it can cost a fee as well as cover services.If you can't find an appraiser in your area, send detailed photographs of the book.The front and back of the title page, first and last text pages, the outer covers, and the spine should be photographed.Librarians do not provide appraisal services.If your book has a signature, an expert will be able to verify it for you.The value of your book may be increased by the presence of a signature.
Step 11: The book's estimated value can be found in a recently-printed reference guide.
There are many printed references to collectible books.You can find one related to your book at a library or bookstore.The book may be listed chronologically by publication date, or by author or title, depending on how the reference guide is organized.You can find the listing you need by looking at the guide's table of contents and index.When possible, refer to the most recent version.Refer to "Collected Books: The Guide to Values" for more information."American Book-Prices Current" and "Book-Auction Records" are reference guides for prices of old books.The "Bookman's Price Index" summarizes the information from book dealers' catalogs to make a list of prices.
Step 12: If you want to see what your book could sell for, search online.
Search your book's details on the websites of booksellers, such as Abe Books, BookFinder, and AdALL, to see what others are currently charging or paying for copies like yours.If you don't see many results for your copy, it may be due to its limited popularity or scarcity.If you can't find much online, consider consulting an antiquarian.If you want to sell or auction off your book, you should set up an account on one of these sites.
Step 13: The book's monetary value is what a buyer will pay.
The amount of money you'll get for selling an old book depends on how much your buyer is willing to pay.These estimates are not determinations.Many factors will affect the amount of cash you will be able to get for your copy.According to trends in the market or personal interests, buyer demand may change.A famous title, the work of a well-known author, or a book about a popular subject may be more valuable due to popularity or oversaturation in the market.
Step 14: If you aren't comfortable selling your book, hold onto it.
There is only one chance to cash in on the market value of your book.If you feel that your book is worth more to someone else than it is to you, hang onto it.The value may increase over time.It is okay to keep a book with significant personal or sentimental value for you.Even if it's not worth much, this type of book can be priceless.You can also donate your book to a library.Contact the acquisitions department to find out if you can make a donation.