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Finding the Value of Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedias

Volumes of encyclopedias.
Many homes had these reference books because they were readily available at the supermarket in the 1950s. Although dated, encyclopedias can sometimes be sold in niche markets to crafters and some collectors. This is a page about finding the value of Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedias.
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November 29, 2019

I have a 25 volume of Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedia from 1912. They are small books (4x6). It is a complete set. How much are they worth?

Value of 1912 Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia Set
 
Value of 1912 Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia Set
 
Value of 1912 Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia Set
 
Value of 1912 Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia Set
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
November 29, 20190 found this helpful
Best Answer

I see a post on eBay that looks exactly like yours where someone is asking $189.00. If those are yours and you fetch that much, that will be today's market value.

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I have never seen a set like this with the white and blue (sold or listed before) so this auction may set the current market value.

Post back how the sale goes!

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
November 29, 20190 found this helpful
Best Answer

Funk & Wagnalls was a lower end encyclopedia and for a couple of years you could get a free volume each week at some grocery stores and gas stations (Compton's Encyclopedias were also given away) when you spent a 'certain' amount of money.
Although your set has several things that could make it more valuable - small size books & 1912 was the first edition; but, it takes a collector to pay big money for a first edition and I do not believe very many collectors are interested in this particular name/set.

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You do not describe your books and pictures do not show spines and this is where fading usually happens and also damage from handling and condition is important.

I see that you have your set listed for sale on eBay for $189.00 plus $25 dollars for shipping. You also do not mention overall condition of books in your listing.
You show this as Priority Mail shipping but most sellers ship sets by media mail as it is much less expensive, especially since USPS changed how they charge for larger boxes.
You must have done some research to find this amount but I have not been able to find any set that has sold for over $60. Perhaps you have more information than is currently available.
Please let us know if your set sells as this would be an excellent current value.

www.ebay.com/.../184061085958?hash=item2adae54906...

Many appraisers as well as researchers use sold listings on eBay to set current value but I did not find any set of Funk & Wagnalls that sold for over $60.

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I did not find any sold set from 1912 but I could have missed one. A books age or even first edition does not always mean it is more valuable than later editions unless there is something extra special about the book/year.

www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=1912+Funk+and...

I did find something strange (at least strange to me) in that a seller has a 1912 set listed for sale on this site for $125:

www.biblio.com/.../951799112

And the same seller has the same set listed on eBay for $49.99.

www.ebay.com/.../193076833394

Sets are listed for sale starting at $.01 and go to $500 so there is no way to even guess how these sellers have arrived at their asking prices but some sellers leave their listings up for years and maybe one day they sell??

Good luck with your set - it would be nice to see it sell for that amount.

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
December 1, 20190 found this helpful
Best Answer

This set is not the standard size. The prices online are for the full size books so these prices do not work for the books you are asking about. I see the full size books being sold for or should I say the asking price to sell them starts at $25 and goes up to around $200 for the books.

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In your case you can determine your price based on this but make sure people know this is not the larger book size but the smaller books.

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December 30, 2021

I was wondering if you had any idea how much a Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary Standard Dictionary International Edition 1973 would be worth? I have the original box that it comes in and in mint condition.

An old dictionary with a white cover.
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 30, 20210 found this helpful
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Unless a dictionary is a signed original or over 100 years old, it is not worth more than $50.

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
December 30, 20210 found this helpful
Best Answer

Are you showing a 2 volume set?
Since you have the box and describe the set to be in 'mint' condition, I would venture to say the set may be worth slightly more than just the normal sets shown on eBay and other sites.

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You should consider listing it at a higher starting price - perhaps $50-60 with free media mail shipping. Always list as 'best offers considered' just to see if anyone actually shows an interest.
You do not have to accept an offer but should consider each one.
If you do not have any offers the first month, you should consider lowering the price unless you are in no hurry to sell.
Books are typically very slow sellers but maybe you will be lucky and have a quick sale.

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August 13, 2021

My work was giving these away. I'm wondering how much I should sell these for? I don't know how big the set is but I believe it goes up to 20 or 30 something.

A collection of Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedias.
 
Value of Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia?
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
August 13, 20210 found this helpful
Best Answer

Is this the 1968 set? If so, that set sells (sold prices, not asking) for about $25 on eBay. With Book Rate (US ONLY) shipping.

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
August 13, 20210 found this helpful
Best Answer

There is a misconception about encyclopedia sets having to be over 100 years old to be worth having/selling.
Of course, the brand of works makes a difference in the value of any set/book but there are several sets that still sell regularly and usually for several hundred dollars.
Example:
Encyclopedia Britannica 15 Edition published 1974+
www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=britannica...

The set that you have is composed of 25 volumes but I'm not sure if the 25th volume is the index or?
There is no way (from your pictures) to tell for sure that it is the 1968-1969 edition as it appears they made several editions in the white cover. You can check the title page and see what year to look for.
I would say to start higher and lower the price if no one makes an offer.
Ship only with USPS media mail.

Interesting fact:
In 1973-1974 A&P grocery stores sold this set for $.49 each available each week so many people have parts of a set.

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February 25, 2017

I have a set of 1993 Funk & Wagnalls American Eng Assiniboine Encyclopedias. They are in excellent condition. How much would they be worth?


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December 19, 2016

What are these books worth and how could I go about selling them?

set of encyclopedias standing on the floor
 
closeup of two volumes of the encyclopedias
 

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August 15, 2011

Are Funk-Wagnalls encyclopedias from 1959 worth anything?

By Diana


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August 15, 20111 found this helpful

Unfortunately, these old encyclopedias do not sell at any price and most thrift stores will not even accept them as a donated item. It's very sad but they went to the wayside when the internet came around.

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August 15, 20110 found this helpful

No!

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Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 450 Feedbacks
August 16, 20110 found this helpful

No. You will never find anyone to take them so just put them out for the trash. Sorry.

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August 9, 2017

I have a 10 volume 1912 Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedia set. Does it have any value?

Value of 1912 Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia Set
 

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March 4, 2017

I have a set of 15, 1959-1965 Funk & Wagnalls Standard Reference Encyclopedias. What are they worth?

Value of Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedias
 
Value of Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedias
 
Value of Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedias
 

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February 20, 2017

What is the value of a full 1979 set of Funk & Wagnalls encyclopedias including the dictionaries in perfect condition?


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July 27, 2011

I have 2 sets of encyclopedias and I'm trying to find out how much they are worth. One is a Funk and Wagnalls' Universal Standard. It is a 25 volume set from 1954-55 the second one is a 12 volume Popular Mechanics do it yourself, 1st edition, from 1955. I am looking to get rid of them, but I don't want to cheat myself or anyone else. Thanks.

By B Sheftic

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July 28, 20111 found this helpful

There is a 25 volume set of Funk & Wagnell's from 1959 selling on Ebay for $89.95. This could be a starting place for pricing your books.

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Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 450 Feedbacks
July 28, 20111 found this helpful

I am sorry to say that your chances of selling these sets is probably zero. The information is outdated and they are not nearly old enough to be collectors items. Even if they were they wouldn't bring much. Librarys won't take them. I know because I tried to get rid of my parent's set. I put them in the trash. If you live in an area where this is allowed. put them in a box marked "free" and set them on your curb. If they are not gone in three days put them in the trash.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 101 Feedbacks
July 28, 20110 found this helpful

I had some 1932 encyclopedias that my mother used to teach with and when I tried to sell them in the 70's, I could not get anything out of them at all. It even showed the first tv in it. I hope you have better luck.

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November 8, 2016

I have a full set of these books. I got them at an estate sale. How do I tell what year they were printed? Inside on the first page it says ISBN 0-8343-0025-7, Libary of Congress catalog card number 72-170933.


Thank you.

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August 29, 2016

I have a complete set of 1975 Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedias. I was wondering if they are worth anything and how much.


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