Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Examine your books and separate them by age, author and category (such as illustrated books). Pick one that you think might be valuable.
Look for the author's signature and date on the inside endpapers or title page. Books signed by their authors are more valuable. Inscriptions from the author to a famous person add even more value.
Check if the book has all its pages. If it's illustrated, make sure all the plates are there. If you have an old travel book, check that any original, folded-in maps are there and in good condition.
Record details such as the copyright date, edition number, publisher and number of pages. Take notes on the condition of the book. Look over every square inch and record tears, spine breaks, spots and soiling. Collectors prefer books in near-mint condition and these books usually sell for higher prices.
Check whether the book has its vintage cover and dust jacket. A book with a good dust jacket usually brings a higher price. Some book collectors collect only dust jackets.
Research your book on bookseller websites such as abebooks.com. Note how these sites list books from least to most expensive. As you scroll down to the most expensive books, you will see a greater amount of information, such as the condition of a rare dust jacket, a unique signature or whether it's a first edition. Compare to your book to determine if yours has some or all of these details. Once you have found a match for your book, check what the dealer is selling his book for. You can appraise most books this way.
If you have a book you think is very valuable--like "Ulysses"--contact the book curator at a high-end auction house like Sotheby's in New York. Have them examine your book (in person or through online photos). They will advise you of the true auction value based on their records.