social

Selling Old Encyclopedias

April 2, 2012

A line of red encyclopedias.For over a year I have tried selling an encyclopedia set that is in pristine condition on Craigslist. I have even seen ads where people are giving away their encyclopedias for FREE. Due to the internet there is nothing that you can't find that isn't in the encyclopedia except the photos. However, they like other books, seem to be a thing of the past. It really is a shame.

Advertisement

Unfortunately I have to downsize and one of the things I have to part with are my books, so the encyclopedias seem to be hanging around without any responses to purchase them. I will probably end up donating them if I can find someone who wants them. I guess the only value of encyclopedia is the sentimental value one has for them. I myself think it is a beautiful sight to see books lining a bookshelf.

By carol from Beverly, MA

 

Comments


Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 450 Feedbacks
April 7, 20120 found this helpful
Top Comment

Almost every day someone asks the value of a set of encyclopedias. Every day the answer is nothing. There is a reason for this. Information in a set of encyclopedias is almost instantly outdated. Names of countries change. Statistics change. World leaders change and it is likely that whatever information you are looking for might not be accurate.

Advertisement

Also they take up a lot of room. Encyclopedias can now be bought in sets of CDs that can be updated with very little cost. It is a pity that there is no use for them.

 
Read More Comments

June 10, 2020

Any ideas of what I may be able to sell these for, either individually or as sets? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Value of Old Encyclopedias - volumes in yellow plastic crate
 
Value of Old Encyclopedias
 
Value of Old Encyclopedias
 
Value of Old Encyclopedias
 

Answers


Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
June 10, 20201 found this helpful
Best Answer

You will really have to research these books yourself as you have several years of each and no one can give you a really close value.
Most are selling these separately but that may take a long time and probably not gain too much in the long run.

Advertisement

I would suggest you list them as a group but remember that you will have to pack and ship these so think about how many books to sell at one time.
These can ship USPS Media mail so shipping will not be super expensive but books are heavy and boxes tear up easily.

You can check eBay for each type of year book to see what others are asking but this is really just 'smoke' because only a sold item will tell current value and since you will not find the same books as yours that will be difficult.

Here are links to eBay Science and the Future to give you a hint about what sellers are asking for year books.

www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524...

Here is the link to sold listings which can show what someone actually paid for some of these books.

www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=%22science...

Advertisement

You can also list books on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc and show them as pick up only with no shipping.
Always start with a higher price like $7-9 each and lower it if no one shows an interest (after at least 3-5 weeks).
It will probably take a long time to sell these no matter how you list them but show good pictures or they may not sell at all.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts
June 10, 20201 found this helpful
Best Answer

This set of Encyclopedias will only at best $25 to $50 . They do not earn a large value. Only sets that are over 100 years old , bring in a fair amount of money in good condition.

Advertisement

You could try auction/bid to see if you can get a better price, and selling locally to cut shipping cost!

 
Answer this Question

November 17, 2018

I have a set of the 1935 edition of the Book of Knowledge Children's encyclopedias. It is a full set including 20 volumes in 10 books.

It's a 25yr anniversary edition done by Grolier. I'm trying to find out their value. They are in great condition.

Read More Answers

July 22, 2019

I have an incomplete set of the New Werner Edition Encyclopedia Britannica dated 1903. The original set has 30 books. I have 27 books are all in very good condition with some cover wear on a couple books.

The missing books are 13, 19, and 24. (Or XIII, XIX and XXIV). I need to sell them as I have no family to give them to.

Selling Antique Incomplete Set of Encyclopedia Britannica - volumes on a bookshelf
 
Selling Antique Incomplete Set of Encyclopedia Britannica
 
Read More Answers

September 25, 2011

One volume of a Harver World encyclopedia.I have had this book for a long time and need to know how I can sell them. Thanks.

By JoAnn B.


Answers

September 26, 20110 found this helpful

Unfortunately, most encyclopedia sets have very little monetary value. (Our library's annual book sale won't even take them, because they don't sell.) If you have a full set, you might do better to donate them to a school or youth program, and take the tax deduction.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks
September 27, 20110 found this helpful

Most schools are not interested in old encyclopedias either. In my school, we toss out the old sets. Or try to use them for crafts or something.

 
Answer this Question

July 9, 2014

How much would I get for a set of Compton's encyclopedias?

By Maria

Read More Answers

May 26, 2012

Standing volume of the Book of KnowledgeI am trying to sell my complete set of The Book of Knowledge, 1957, children's encyclopedia. It is the deluxe Mastercraft edition. Any advice?

By brickcity from Syracuse, NY

Answers

September 5, 20130 found this helpful

Do you still have this item? I'll pay you $50 for it shipped.

 
Answer this Question

July 3, 2023

How much is a New Standard encyclopedia volume 14 worth?


Answer this Question

June 4, 2013

I have a 20 book, full set of encyclopedias. They are in excellent condition, copyright of 1992, hardback. I'd like to know how much they are worth. Any help?

By Megan D.

Answer this Question
<< First< PreviousNext >
Categories
Consumer Advice General AdviceFebruary 23, 2017
Pages
More
🌻
Gardening
🐰
Easter Ideas!
👒
Mother's Day Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-03-29 02:51:53 in 5 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Selling-Old-Encyclopedias-3.html