How to Appraise Antique Books
Although they may smell musty and have yellowing pages, antique books can be worth quite a lot. It is difficult, however, to decide which are the keepers. So put on your reading glasses and get ready to look at some books, because you never know what you’ll stumble upon.
- Inspect your antique book first and note any rarities or damage. Check to see if it is a first edition or signed copy, and if there are any missing pages, tears, or stains. Note the overall condition of the book. Books that are in better condition are obviously worth more than those in poor condition. Also note if the book has its original dust jacket. A dust jacket can make your book even more valuable.
- Visit an antique appraiser that specializes in old books. If you plan to sell your book, this is a good option to set a fair price for both you as a seller and for your buyer.
- Search online to see how much similar books are selling for. The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America is a great resource that allows you to search using author, title, keywords and if your book is a first edition or signed. Search results show how much they are selling the book for. AbeBooks is also a similar website that has millions of books, many of which are rare and collectible.
- Look in another book. There are several reliable do-it-yourself appraisal books that guide you through the steps in assessing the value of your antique book.
- Attend an antique book auction. Books may sell at higher prices at auctions due to the increased advertising and publicity, but an auction will allow you to see which books are being sought after on the market and just how much someone is willing to pay.