Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Identify your book
• Method 2 of 3: Assess the quality of your copy
• Method 3 of 3: Determine the market value of your book
• Tips
• Warnings

That old book in your attic may not be worth much to you, but it can be worth a lot to a potential buyer. For example, a rare first edition of Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" was auctioned in 2011 for € 150,000. Even if you don't have such a treasure, you can determine the market value of your copy once you identify the edition and publication details. Start by studying the book and consulting online resources. If you want more information, you can enlist the help of an appraiser. Remember, the value of your book depends on the market and what a buyer is willing to pay.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Identify your book

1. Refer to the title page and the copyright page of the book, for the most important information. Write down the full title of the publication and the name of the author. Then look at the print information, namely the name of the publisher and the place and date of publication, as well as the date of registration of the copyright.
   • Open the book carefully to the first page. Go past any blank pages and the half title page, if any, that only shows the name of the book. After this you will find the title page. Turn to the back or the next page for the copyright page.
   • Do not rely on the dust jacket or binding to find the information you need, as these elements may not be original to the book. Even if they are, the information they provide may be incomplete.
2. Determine the edition details of your copy. Many book collectors appreciate first editions and other rare editions. Check the title page and copyright page to see if your book is a first edition, revised edition, or limited edition. This information, which may affect the value of your copy, is usually printed along with other important identifying information.
   • Some first editions have the words "First Edition" or "First Edition" on the title page, but many don't. You may have your hands on a first edition if you only see a single release date.
   • You can recognize a reprint if you see multiple publication dates. Reprints often include the word "Print" (as in "Second Printing") or "Edition" (with a different serial number than "First").
   • In some cases, a book may be reprinted by a publisher other than the publisher who originally published it. It can be described as "First (publisher's name) edition" to indicate that the print is not from the original publisher of the work.
3. Compare the details of your book with an entry in an online catalog. Using your list of key identifying information, compare what you know about your copy with the book's official publication history.Visit an online catalog such as World Cat, the National Union Catalog (NUC), or a print or digital bibliography on the author or topic of your book. Search by author, title, and print information until you find a listing that exactly matches your copy.
   • These catalogs contain a different entry for each known and suspected edition of a book title.
   • This allows you to see where your edition fits in the total publication history of the title. This will help you find out how old the book really is.
4. Use this catalog information to determine how rare your copy is. While it's difficult to determine the number of private owners, to say the least, you can look up how many copies are in public, corporate, and university libraries. Search for your copy in World Cat, NUC, or another online reference to see how many copies of that edition are accessible and where they are kept.
   • As with most collectibles, the fewer copies that exist, the more valuable each individual surviving one is.
   • If you can't find it, ask a librarian to help you look up your book in an online catalog.

Method 2 of 3: Assess the quality of your copy

1. Check the completeness and condition of the pages and plates of the book. Check the catalog that accompanies your book to see how many pages and illustrations (often called plates) the book should contain. Carefully examine your own book to see if it contains all the pages and pictures it originally contained. Look carefully at your book to see if the pages are stained, discolored, wrinkled, or torn, and how intact any edging such as gilding has remained intact.
   • Consult antiquarian terminology to accurately define damage. For example, brown spots are known as "foxing".
   • Condition and completeness both affect the monetary value of an old book.
2. Note any damage to the book's binding. Determine the firmness of the binding and whether the front and back of the cover are firmly attached to the spine. Take a good look at the condition of the binding stitches and the glue.
   • A book without the original cover is incomplete.
   • If your book is not terribly rare, a copy in worse condition will always be worth less than a comparable copy in better condition.
3. Examine the physical condition of the cover and dust jacket, if applicable. Check for faded, torn, or warped outer cover and spine. If you have a book from the 20th century, check to see if it still has its original dust jacket. Assess the condition of the dust jacket and look for any tears, folds or discoloration.
   • The lack of a dust jacket on a book that originally had one can significantly reduce its value.
4. Summarize the general physical condition of the book in antiquarian terms of valuation. Consult the antiquarian guides to determine the condition of your copy. Common terms are "good" or "like new", meaning the book is in near-perfect condition with no visible flaws. Terms such as "very good", "good", "fair" and "bad" indicate an increasing level of deficiencies. Write down the details about the physical condition of the book in relation to the condition you assigned it.
   • Regardless of the condition, call the book an "ex-library copy" if it contains library markers or comes from a library.
   • Use "bound copy" to refer to a book whose pages are in good condition but needs a new binding.
   • Keep in mind that old or rare books in particular can still be very valuable, even with significant damage.
5. Collect evidence of your book's provenance to increase its value. The provenance of your book, or the history of who owned it in the past, can affect its value, especially if it belonged to a notable owner. Check for a bookplate with the owner's name, a handwritten signature, or an author's signature that includes the owner's name.
   • If your book came up with a compelling story, try to find documentation that proves this lineage is true. Look in family records or consult people who knew the previous owner for confirmation.

Method 3 of 3: Determine the market value of your book

1. Have your book formally appraised by a qualified expert. If you want tax breaks or insurance coverage for your book, you need to get a formal estimate. Appraisals can be made by a certified book appraiser or informally by a pre-owned or rare book dealer, the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), or the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). Find an appraiser in your area so they can examine the physical book.
   • Appraisals usually require a fee, often to cover services and insurance, so be prepared for this investment.
   • If you cannot find an appraiser in your area, please send detailed photos of the book. Take photos of the front and back of the title page, the first and last text pages, the outside cover, the spine, and any other aspects requested by the appraiser.
   • Librarians do not usually offer appraisal services.
   • If your book has a signature, an appraiser will be able to authenticate it for you. Depending on the book and signature, the presence of a signature can significantly increase the value of your book.
2. Consult a recently printed reference guide for the estimated value of your book. There are a number of printed references for collector's books. Find one related to the subject or author of your book in a library or in the collectibles section of a bookstore. Depending on how the reference guide is organized, your book may be listed alphabetically by author or title, or chronologically by date of publication. Consult the table of contents and index of the guide to find the list you need.
   • If possible, approach the most recent version as the value of books fluctuates.
   • For details on early editions, see "Collected Books: The Guide to Values" by Allen and Patricia Ahern.
   • Look at "American Book-Prices Current" and "Book-Auction Records," two reference guides to prices that old books fetched at auctions. The semi-annual Bookman's Price Index summarizes information from booksellers' catalogs to form a price list.
3. Search online booksellers to see what your book could bring. Find your book's details on bookseller websites such as Abe Books, BookFinder and AdALL, and auction sites such as eBay, to see what others are currently asking or paying for copies like yours.
   • If you don't see many results for your exact copy, it could be due to its limited popularity or scarcity. Consider consulting an antique dealer if you can't find much online.
   • Create an account and try to sell or auction your book through one of these sites if you wish.
4. Remember, the book's monetary value ultimately depends on what a buyer is willing to pay. Despite what a catalog, online reference, or appraiser can tell you, the actual amount you will get for the sale of an old book depends on what your buyer is willing to pay for it. Think of these estimates as a reasoned estimate, not a determination. Know that many factors will affect the amount you will be able to get for your copy.
   • Buyer's demand can fluctuate according to market trends or fluctuations in personal interests.
   • A famous title, the work of a well-known author, or a book on a popular topic may be worth more in terms of popularity or less in value through market oversaturation.
5. Hold your book if you don't want to sell it. You only have one chance to cash in on the market value of your book. If you feel like your book is worth more than what others are willing to pay for it at any given time, just hold onto it. After a few years, the value may have increased.
   • It's also good to keep a book that has significant personal or sentimental value to you. These types of books, even if they are not worth a lot of money, cannot be expressed in money.
   • You may also want to donate your book to a library or archive. Contact the acquisitions department to discuss whether or not you can make a donation.

Tips

• Store your book safely and securely in a cool, dry environment away from dust and daylight. If you are unsure of how to protect your book, consult an archivist or antique dealer for storage advice.
• If you put your book up for sale online, make sure you clearly describe and / or photograph any signs of damage. Be truthful in your review and don't overdo the quality of your copy.

Warnings

• Handle your book with clean and dry hands to prevent dirt and skin oil from getting on the pages or covers.
• Avoid spreading the pages open and flat. This will damage the binding of the book. Instead, support the covers with a soft cushion or a V-shaped bookend.