I have a set of World Book Dictionaries (24 volumes). The copyright is 1988. Is there any value for these?
By heli
Most old dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc., have very little value-a few dollars at most. You can check online for old book collectors, on Craigslist and other retail sites for possibilities. Everything is now online and updated constantly.
A lot of people see these on Ebay for $100 to $200 and get excited. But that's just the price they're listed at. That doesn't mean they actually sell for that. They don't.
Most old Encyclopedias, with the exception of something extremely rare, aren't worth the cost of shipping them to a buyer.
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 the entire set of 1973 World Book encyclopedias. What might they be worth if I were to sell them?
By Lisa V. from Lake Worth, FL
We get asked this question very regularly. Unfortunately, there are a glut of these types of encyclopedias. Unless they are very old or rare, they are pretty much impossible to sell. You might consider donating them to a school or retirement home as sometimes people use books for art or craft projects.
Good Luck.
Jess is right... I couldn't even sell a set of 1932 books I had at one time.
I don't think they have any real value in this new technical world. First of all, there would be many subjects that are missing new information. History would not be up to date. nor medicine, just to name a couple. And with computers in almost every home, the current information is available in an instant, no matter what the subject is.
They have no value at all as encyclopedia. You may find someone who can give them to for some sort of craft. Some people carve into them and make sculptures out of such books. Some people use them as lamp bases. However, no one is going to pay for them. Advertise them to give away on Kijii or freecycle or something like that.
Does anyone know please the approximate value of 1948 era The World Book Encyclopedia set in decent condition? I believe one volume is missing.
Only a few years/sets of any brand of encyclopedias are valuable and most of those are newer sets. Older sets are many times even difficult to give away because they are difficult for even thrift stores to sell.
I have a complete set of the 1992 World Book Encyclopedia. What is its value?
All the information contained in these books is old and outdated. The books are now online and updated all the time. If the books were published in 1902 instead of 1992 they would be worth something today.
Does anyone have a set of 1958 Encyclopedia Britannica World Book Encyclopedias they would like to find a good home for? I am willing to pay the shipping costs however that would likely be the extent of my funds to acquire this set.
In Lak'ech Ala K'in my FriendsI believe you may be wanting the 1958 Britannica Encyclopedia set (1958 set is the Fourteenth Edition) but Britannica has no relation to "World Book" so be sure to make your request clear or there could be a misunderstanding about the set you're asking about.
If you do any research you'll probably find the 1958 set is selling quite well and sold prices are ranging between $250-350 with free shipping. Now it's possible that you may find someone who just wants to get rid of their set and will ship it if the cost of shipping is paid.
However, some sellers are charging high prices for shipping because they are not taking advantage of USPS Media Mail which is usually about 1/3 or less, than the cost of other services.
Recently sold 1958 sets on eBay:
www.ebay.com/
I would suggest you place ads on your local sites such as Craigslist, USA4Sale, NextDoor.com, FreeCycle, Facebook Marketplace, and also make calls to all of your local Thrift Stores as occasionally they do accept a set to sell.
Check your area for book sales as most libraries have one or two sales a year. You can also check with your library to see if they are discarding a set as you may find a free set of a later year.
The 15th edition is much more sought after as that was the first year of a major change - released in 1974.
Good luck and please post back with info on your search.
en.wikipedia.org/
I have an ex-library set of 22 volumes of the 2014 World Book in excellent condition. How can a non-profit group market the set to make the most money for a public library?
If you Google 2014 World Book Encyclopedia you will most likely find that asking prices run from $100 to $500 but you may not find what any of these actually sold for.
I listed the links so you can see that placing a value on a set like this is not an easy task as the true value is what someone will pay.
I hope you can realize a nice price as libraries are always in need of extra funds.
I have the 1964 set of World Book encyclopedias with study guide. It is time to let them go are they worth anything?
I have a set of World Book encyclopedias from around 1959 and a set from around 1980. What would be their value to sell?
Thank you.
I have two questions about two encyclopedias that I have. I have one that has the World Book B 2, copyright 1979 and the other one that I have is the Encyclopedia Americana volume 14, Hawaii to Index of Refraction.
It has a map when you open it and then copyright is 1952, but it also has other copyrights 1957, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1932 and it goes on and goes on. I need to know the value.
Antique and vintage items are only worth what people are prepared to pay. Your best bet is to see if anyone is selling, or even better, has sold, anything similar on Ebay. Your books are not really that old. I have antique books, including books that are about 200 years old that are no more valuable than any modern second hand book. It is possible that you may be lucky enough to have a rare book in your hands, but sadly unlikely. You need to go see a real expert in person
Those books are not old enough to have any great value. With the internet, info is so easy to get on any topic, which makes encyclopedias outdated and not worth much. Except maybe to someone who doesn't have access to the internet. Even so, the books have outdated info for the most part.
I have a complete set of 1968 World Book encyclopedias. How much are they worth today? They are in good condition.
By Lynette C from North Brunswick, NJ
Encyclopedia sets don't have much value. Usually nobody will buy them. Maybe your local recycling company would recycle them.
I have a nice set of 1958 World Book encyclopedias with the updates for years to follow. Are they valuable or should I try to take them to Goodwill?
How can I get rid of or donate a like brand new set of encyclopedias I brought I believe in 1987. I also have the year in review beginning in 1988 to I believe 1995. It has some other sets that go with it.
They are basically new. My children never used it for school work only to look up information. Most volumes haven't even been opened.
