How Much is My Book Worth ?

Book dealers are frequently asked "How much is my old book worth?" With a little research on the internet, you can get a good idea of your book's value. The information below can point you in the right direction ... What factors contribute to the value of a collectible book? Two things ... #1 is Desire and #2 is Condition. Lets start with "desire", or in other words, does anyone want it? If the book is written by a collectible author, "desire" is limited to first or very early printings of their collectible works, or books authentically signed by the collectible author or someone notable. A badly written novel by an uncollected author, no matter how old, no matter how rare has little value if no one wants it (age or scarcity without desire and condition have little effect on a book's value). We now come to #2: Condition. Just as "location, location, location" is the mantra in the real estate world, condition makes or breaks the value of a collectible book. Look at your book as a book collector would. Sorry, there is no fudge factor when it comes to condition, no "good for its age" or "mint, except for a few library marks" qualifications. A book collector scrutinizes a 100 year antique book for the same flaws as a brand new book. Book collectors and professional book sellers prefer to use one of five categories regarding book condition: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, or Fine. Poor: Book is in sad condition. Pages maps or boards may be missing, or torn, book may be badly soiled or scribbled on by a child. Fair: Loose pages, soiled, loose spine, etc. The book is complete, all pages & maps present. Good: A book that is clean inside, complete and all pages present and attached. Nothing torn. Spine is fairly strong. Very Good: A strong, clean book, some shelf wear, perhaps only a neatly written previous owner signature inside. Fine: An attractive book. Bright pages, no writing, no bumps or wear. It looks new. Here are sites to research the market of a book. These links will give you a sense of what sellers are asking and how many copies are available. Keep in mind the condition of your book and its edition (First printing, later printing, etc.)
		AddAll used books. No-frills. One of my favorite sites for gauging marketability of a book. This site allows you to sort your results in several different ways including. Amazon supports a huge marketplace of used book dealers on their site. Ebay.com searching Ebay closed auctions is a great to find out how much your edition has sold for. And of course, there's always the tried and true price guides. Check out Amazon.com's large selection of price guides for rare and collectible books here.

Books to Help Research the Book Market and Identify First Editions Many book publishers indicate "First Edition" in their own unique way. The following books will arm you with years of knowledge found nowhere else. If you buy, collect or sell books, these should be your first investment. Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions - Sixth Edition Bill McBride. Paperback 2000 Very useful little book. Publishers each have their own way of identifying the first edition (or more correctly - first printing ) of any book they produce. This little book lists most publishers and uses a simplified code system based on the author's experience handling actual first editions. Points of Issue : A Compendium of Points of Issue of Books by 19th-20th Century Authors. Bill McBride. Paperback 1996. Another pocket-sized companion to the Guide listed above, it's also very useful. This is a list of specific books which have details (points of issue) that determine a first edition . First Editions : A Guide to Identification- Edward N Zempel (Editor). Hardcover 4th Edition (November 2001). More expensive but much easier to read than the McBride books, this is a compilation of publishers actual statements about their methods of identifying first editions. Covers nearly 1700 trade and academic publishers in the US, the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For all bibliophiles. Book Finds, 3rd Edition: How to Find, Buy, and Sell Used and Rare Books Ian C. Ellis. Paperback 2006. A good first hand account of book buying and book scouting. The author drops a lot of names, but the book is an enjoyable read. "The used and collectible book market divides into three relatively neat categories: reading copy, antiquarian, and modern first edition..." The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site Steve Weber. Paperback 2005. A super book, one of the best rated books by Amazon readers regarding selling books on-line. A "must have". " ... Selling used books on the Internet is one of the greatest opportunities available to small entrepreneurs today ..." Official Price Guide to Books, 5th Edition Marie Tedford & Pat Goudey. Paperback 2005. Although used book prices fluctuate, sometimes its good to have a book you can refer to when the computer's not turned on :) " ... This guide prices everything from rare signed first editions of The Wizard of Oz to today's Harry Potter blockbusters. Contains information on popular genres, care and repair, research resources, Internet sites, dealers, and auction houses ... "