Got a set of 1860-1868 major first edition Chambers encyclopaedias. What are they worth?
As a general rule, buyers look for older sets that are in good to excellent condition, and although your picture is not very good (dark) it would appear that your set is in poor to very poor condition.
Because of the condition, I think it would be difficult to sell this set at any price.
I could be wrong and you could try listing it for sale, maybe starting at $75, and see if you receive any offers.
If no offers after several weeks then either reduce the price or keep the set yourself.
Occasionally these old sets will sell at yard sales - maybe for $15-20.
There are several sets listed for sale on online auction sites but all appear to be in very good condition even with that being said, I have not found a set that has sold.
Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.
I have a set of 15 Chambers encyclopedias from 1973 in very good condition. I was wondering if these are worth anything?
By Derren D.
No. Old encyclopedia are not worth anything. It is difficult to give them away. Sometimes people use them for crafts, such as paper carving or for lamps.
I have an 8 volume set of Chamber's Encyclopedias from 1890. It is in pretty good condition. Is there anyone or anyplace that buys old sets like this?
You can try online book sellers & collectors, EBay, Craig's List. A good place to start your research:
I have a full 10 volume first edition set of 1912 Chamber's Encyclopedias autographed by both the Edinburgh and Philadelphia publishers. The set is in excellent condition.
Can you help with what this set might be worth or where I can find out?
This has value, since it is complete and over 100 years old. Take it to several book dealers for appraisals.
I have an encyclopedia entitled Chambers's Encyclopaedia of Universal Knowledge volume 5. It looks to be from the late 1800s. Does this book have any value?
This is not a complete set. Most of these books, even if they are old, don't have value unless they are rare first editions. You could take it to a bookseller to make sure.
These books do go up for sale on eBay but are slow sellers.
Here are a couple of eBay sites with Chamber's Encyclopaedia books for sale. Just remember - being up for sale (at any price) does not mean the book(s) will ever sell.
I have 9 books from the 10 set of encyclopedias. Collier, Publisher, New York 1888. The inside pages are in good condition.
The bindings on the books are unglued inside and frayed on the top and bottom edges.
How much are my Chamber's encyclopaedias worth? They were reprinted in 1969. They are white with dust covers and in mint condition.
By Chris
Nothing.
Well, short but sweet but not necessarily true. On ebay, older sets range from 13.95 to 59.95. However, that is what is being asked, not what anyone is buying them for, and until they do buy them, we don't know if they are being sold.
Do you have a local museum that might like them? Perhaps an assisted living place where they still love books? Sadly, Encyclopedia's have gone the way of the betamax, but they might be a real coup to someone who has no computer. I would put them on Craigslist and see if you have any takers.
Good Luck. PBP
People occasionally use them for crafts and art projects. I don't think anyone would pay for them, though. I wouldn't. 1969 isn't vintage or anything.
I own a 1955 set of Chamber's Encyclopedias. It consists of 15 volumes and 2 volumes of Chambers Encyclopedia World Survey 1960 and 1961.
They were hand made in London, England and are bound in red leather and embossed with 24k gold.
I would like to sell them and I need to know their current market value.
By Juliette W.
Sorry. They are worth nothing. You can't even donate them to a library. They won't take them.
You might find someone who wants them for crafts or art projects. Try posting them as giveaways on the local Kijii or Craigslist or whathaveyou.
I have 1897 Chambers's Encyclopedia in 10 volumes in good condition. Can someone can help me to know that how much it is worth?
I am wondering what value a set of 8 encyclopedias from 1892 might have.
EBay has many sets and single volumes of around 1870 forward and has a set of 1889 for $39.99. You can try further online searches, auction houses, book collectors, etc,. for more information.
I have a collection of Chambers Encyclopedia of Universal Knowledge 1908, printed by J.B. Lippincott Philadelphia. Does anyone know if they are worth anything?
By Joe
Old encyclopedias are worthless after 1923 so yours may have some value. You can try an online search for EBay, Craigslist and other similar to see if someone is trying to sell your 1908 year for possible values or try this site to start calculating value:
Is a complete set of Chambers Encyclopedia published in Edinburgh in 1876 worth anything?
By Faye V.
Found many older encyclopedias for sale online-EBay, Craigslist, etc., including Chambers 1876. One set of all was offered for $400. Other individual volumes run $10-45. Most old books such as these are usually sold to old book collectors and have little value.
I have a mint condition set of the Chambers's Encyclopedia set of 15 volumes from 1956 by George Newnes, plus three survey encyclopedias that match the other 15 volumes.
By Jaf. W
I have 4 volumes of Chamber's Encyclopedia (1860 version) in good condition. Does anyone know an approximate value of these books?
By Susan D.
I have 4 volumes of Chamber's Encyclopedia (1860 version) in good condition. Does anyone know an approximate value of these books?
Yes, about $80-120 a piece.
