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How to Find Out of Print Magazines

Out-of-print magazines provide a snapshot of popular culture at different periods of history. In fact, old magazines are often valued as much for their advertisements as they are for their content. If you want to make a hobby out of collecting, here are some places to start.

Instructions

- 1
  Ask libraries in your area how they dispose of their inventory. Libraries frequently clear their stacks to make room for new periodicals. Sometimes they have a sale, but often out of print magazines are thrown away. You probably won't see anything very old, but you might be able to fill out your archive of a specific publication, or find something that will be vintage in ten years or so.
- 2
  Go to garage or estate sales to find out-of-print magazines. If you find anything here, it will be dirt cheap. Or, search through the attics and basements of elderly relatives who may have complete volumes of their favorite magazines gathering dust in storage.
- 3
  Check out eBay. If you're shopping with a purpose, eBay can connect you to dealers and people who are just cleaning out their closets. Make sure you ask questions about the condition of the magazine, and buy from a seller with good feedback.
- 4
  Find out of print magazines in a used or rare bookstore. Though the selection at your local shop might be hit and miss, the Internet has allowed small bookshops to publish their inventory online. If you're looking for something specific, you can have it shipped from anywhere in the world.
- 5
  Contact a professional dealer. If you are on the prowl for something very special, you might want to go to somebody who tracks down valuable printed materials for a living. Just make sure you get their references and are ready to pay for their services.

Other Collecting