How to Estimate the Value of a Book

Assess the condition of your book. The mantra of book dealers is "condition, condition, condition," because the value of a book so thoroughly hinges upon this one aspect, which should be as close to original as possible. Hardcover books are more desirable than softcovers. Consult the AB Bookman's Weekly standards for proper descriptions of the conditions of rare books.

Investigate any potentially salient properties, such as whether the author signed it, whether someone famous owned it, or if it contains artwork by a certain illustrator. Check the publishing date and publisher's name to see if the book is a first edition or a limited edition. Note whether the book is a Book Club Edition or a Library Copy, as these labels can influence the book's desirability.

Type the author's name, title or publisher into an online book database like Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Faded Giant. Compare multiple prices and use the average to get a ballpark figure, discarding any figures that seem much too high or low.

Consult a handbook for book prices like Huxford's Old Book Value Guide, Collected Books: The Guide to Value and the Official Price Guide to Books. Try to find the most recent edition to ensure that the prices are accurate.

Take your book to a book specialist, such as a Used Book Buyer at a rare-book shop, if you need a very accurate value. Only a specialist will know how to do the extensive research and have access to databases that can yield a highly precise estimate of your book's worth.