Valuable Books: Old, New and Rare
June 13th, 2011 | 
Author: Have you ever come across a very old book at a used bookstore or tag sale and wondered if it might be worth something? How can you tell if that book is valuable? Only an expert in vintage books can determine the worth for sure, but there are some guidelines that can help you know if you have found a treasure or a dud.
Old Books
With old books, the condition is important to the value. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, and it can be possible for a tattered book to have a high value. The following list is excerpted from the A. B. Bookman’s grading guide, used by many booksellers:
With old books, the condition is important to the value. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, and it can be possible for a tattered book to have a high value. The following list is excerpted from the A. B. Bookman’s grading guide, used by many booksellers:
- As New: No defects, no markings, no library stamps, etc. Dust jacket (if one was issued) must be immaculate.
- Fine: Approaches “As New” but not crisp. No defects, markings, etc. If dust jacket has any minor damage it must be noted.
- Very Good: A used book that shows small signs of wear, but no tears in binding, pages or dust jacket. Any defects must be noted.
- Good: The average used and worn book, with all pages and leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
- Fair: A worn book that has complete text pages including any maps or plates, but may lack end papers, half title, etc.
Rare Books
- First edition printing: First editions that were printed in small quantities are harder to find and will be worth more than first editions that were printed in large quantities.
- Signed Editions: If it is autographed by the author or the illustrator, the book may be more valuable.
Other Factors
- Hardcover: A hardcover book with a dust cover is more valuable than a paperback.
- Book Club Books: Special prints for book clubs or libraries aren’t likely to be valuable.
- Book Popularity: Popular and well-known books are in higher demand than obscure ones and are more likely to be valuable.
How to Identify a First-Edition First-Printing Book
First-edition first-printing books are usually what book collectors are seeking and carry the greatest value. Older books often state “First Edition” on the copyright page. You can also find out what year a book was first published and then compare the printing date on your copy to see if they match. Newer books with an ISBN are easily analyzed. On the copyright page, the ISBN and date of printing will be followed by a number line, counting down from 10. If the number line goes all the way down to 1, that book is a first printing. If the lowest number on the line is a 2, the book is a second printing.
Posted in BookTalk