Value of Encyclopedia Britannica?

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

September 28, 20180 found this helpful

Unless a set is complete and over 100 years old, it typically has very little value. Donate it and take the tax deduction.

Pghgirl40
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks

September 28, 20180 found this helpful

Thanks for asking! Without a photo I can't match your set to the sets that sold, but there are some SOLD on eBay at the moment (values are all over the place so it is important to match your set to the sold set to get YOUR value):

www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=encyclopedia...

If the ones that sold are in the same condition as yours then that is your value. If they are in a lesser state than yours, you can add about 10% to your value. If they are pristine and yours are just great, you can deduct 10% from the value.

Be sure to see if the seller charged shipping or not. If it was "Free" shipping, the seller pays that and you have to deduct that from your value as shipping could cost up to $50 since they are super heavy....so if someone sold a set for $100 and free shipping, the VALUE = $50.

Remember value is different than profit. If you sell on eBay or other online sites you have to pay fees to the site and Paypal and that all gets deducted from the value to give you your profit.

Let me know what you discover! Thanks!

cybergrannie
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September 28, 20180 found this helpful

Encyclopedia sets are very difficult to place a value because there are so many variables; Edition (15th edition runs from 1974-1994), condition (most of the 15th edition is new enough that almost all are in very good condition), type of binding (wide field on this), where the set is located (shipping is expensive and takes away from seller's profit as it adds to the total cost paid by a buyer).

• You need to check out listings on eBay and other sites to see if you can locate a set that has the same type binding so you can place a watch on the listing to see if it sells.
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• www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_odkw=Encyclopedia+Britannica...
• You can also check the sold listings on eBay to see your binding type has sold anytime in the past several months.
• www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_odkw=Encyclopedia+Britannica...
• You will notice that asking prices as well as sold prices run up and down the scale so you may just have to pick a price, list it anywhere you desire and lower it if no one shoes an interest.
• I do not think the earlier year will be of benefit as it appears the later editions in the 15th edition are selling for more money. Most of the updates were done in the year books so some sets will also have these as well as the original set.
• You can also check Amazon but these are usually real book sellers and just list items and leave them listed forever as the books are just setting in a warehouse and not in someone's living/dining room taking up space.

If you are interested in reading about the 15th edition here are a couple of links to get you started;

www.britannica.com/.../Fifteenth-edition

en.wikipedia.org/.../Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica#1974...

ksegr800

October 1, 20180 found this helpful

I have a set of 1973 in good condition and antiquie dealer was only going to give me $25.00

cybergrannie
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks

October 2, 20180 found this helpful

Thanks for letting us know of your experience with this set.

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Pghgirl40
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks

October 2, 20180 found this helpful

That seems to be consistent with the online sales. That means the dealer will flip then for between $50-75. If you had patience and ability to box and carry to the PO you would probably net between $30-45 if you sold them online.

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But it is time consuming and a pain to ship. Personally, I would consider asking the dealer to meet you at $30 and take you and a loved one out for a nice meal!

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