I have a first edition 1950 Collier's Encyclopedia, full set of 20. What might this be worth? I see many listings on eBay of later editions being priced at a few hundred $, but who knows if they are actually selling. The volumes are all in good condition and I haven't found any other first editions listed online. Is there any money to be made here?
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Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts January 14, 20190 found this helpful
If it is a first edition, it may have value, even though it doesn't meet antique standards (100 years old or more.) Take it to a book dealer for a free verbal appraisal.
January 15, 20190 found this helpful
As a general rule, encyclopedias are considered to be of low value but there are some sets that still retain a higher value but it takes research to determine which brand/volume/editions fit in that category.
- Some times it is recommended to seek an appraisal from a local shop but I do not believe you will find very many sets of encyclopedias in your local shops and will most likely not find anyone that really knows their value.
- Generally it is difficult to find a thrift store that will accept these sets because they are always difficult to sell even at very, very low prices. In other words, they just accept the "fact" that all sets fit in the same category - too much trouble for the value and take up a lot of valuable space.
- Even the library book sales in my area will not accept sets as they generally have to dump them at the end of the sale.
- I have found little reference to the value of your set which generally means they are either "scarce/rare" or of no special interest.
- I did find a seller that has this set listed by individual books/volumes which usually means they could not sell the set and are now trying to salvage a few dollars hoping someone will be interested in one particular volume.
- www.abebooks.com/.../
- Here are some links to sites that might shed a little light on what I have said but also have some facts about sets in particular.
- flipsy.com/.../are-my-encyclopedias-worth-anything
- www.whatsellsbest.com/.../books.html
- eBay, Amazon and Abe's Books are the largest sellers of books in general but eBay is the only one that you can research what has recently sold.
- Here is a link to eBay's sold editions (there will be a mixture to sort through) so you can get an idea as to what sets have sold.
- www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=1950+Set+Collier...
- If you look under eBay's vintage sets you will see a high volume listed (different brands/kinds) so it is a constant research but shows how many are available but asking prices mean very little so you have to check sold prices for any current value. Sold prices in second link.
- www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524...
- www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=vintage+encyclopedia...
- I am just trying to show what (how much) research is involved in looking for value (of anything).
- There are some sites that offer free online appraisals so if you care to take the extra step you may be able to find out more about this particular set.
- You will need pictures of the set, especially the first pages, as well as a realistic condition statement or they may not answer.
- www.whatsellsbest.com/.../books.html
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