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Value of Encyclopedia Britannica?

Value of Encyclopedia Britannica - spines of several volumesI have the 1768 (copyright 1963) volumes 24 White Imperial Home Study guides, a World atlas, 1 volume dictionary, whole set including business and other booklets. There is no bookcase and it is missing part 1 of the dictionary. What is the value? I am trying to sell them.

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Value of Encyclopedia Britannica
 
Value of Encyclopedia Britannica
 
Value of Encyclopedia Britannica
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
October 4, 20190 found this helpful

These are worth very little, since they are not over 100 years old, or antique.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts
October 5, 20190 found this helpful

So sorry 1963 was a good year, but not for these. They are going for under $100.Maybe at auction to book collectors you could do better!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
October 5, 20190 found this helpful

Asking prices for Encyclopedia sets are all over the place but not many are selling.
The 1963 set is the 14th Edition and is called "revised edition".

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This is not a special years with no remarkable changes or world happenings so it does not stand out for any particular reason.
Still - you will find people who still like different sets and we never know why someone buys a particular set/edition.

Sets are usually very slow sellers but I did not see any of the white bindings listed for sale and so its possible your set may sell faster and at a decent price but I would not count on a quick sale - but you can hope.

Here are the 1963 sets presently listed on eBay so you may place a watch on one or two to see if they sell.

www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313...

You do need to understand that asking/listed prices are not what is referred to as 'current value' as only sold listings state what someone actually paid for something.

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A 'white' set recently sold on eBay for $225.00 plus shipping so we know for sure that 'someone' was willing to pay good money for this set.

www.ebay.com/.../163778484793?hash=item2621f55a39...

I would think you could take a look at this listing and maybe follow their lead and ask the same price. You can always reduce the price is no one shows an interest.
I would suggest taking several very good pictures (at least 10) and post the set for sale on several sites - even sites like LetGo, OfferUp, etc and show the set as 'pick up only' and buyer would save the money needed for shipping.

 
October 7, 20190 found this helpful

Hi
Thank you for your help will see how it goes

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
October 6, 20190 found this helpful

Cybergrannie gave the most comprehensive answer about value and selling prices.

Sold prices are the best guide for how you should price yours. I see there are asking prices well over 600 dollars and that is fine, but until someone actually pays that much, a sold price (or average if there is more than one sold) tells what someone is willing to pay. Value = what something will pay.

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Do be careful when using these values as some sellers pay shipping (when they offer ''free" shipping the seller pays that and it takes away from the value--considerably with something this heavy, even shipping it by media mail, that is a chunk of change.)

The seller on this one given as an example DID charge shipping, so you can add approx $25 to your starting price--since if you are a buyer like me, you figure value from selling price + shipping since that is what is coming out of my pocket.

It also will offer you a little wiggle room for negotiations.

Post back if you are able to sell yours and the sold price! I am always interested in follow ups on things like this! Thanks for sharing!

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
October 6, 20190 found this helpful

One last thought, since yours is missing some items and has some damage, that will factor in to the comparables when trying to value. Be sure to check that the comps match yours in condition etc.

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The one that sold is pictured in a book case, but there is no mention of a case being include and it is listed as nice condition for its age...so no damage.

Damage can reduce values by up to 50 percent in some cases. In your case, you could start at 10% lower (be very honest about the damage, photograph the damaged area and mention the damage 3 times--headline and twice in the text).

Again, it gives you some wiggle room when someone comes back with an offer! Thanks!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
October 6, 20190 found this helpful

Pghgirl is so right about condition as any damage or missing parts will reduce the value but it may also keep it from selling.
You did not say your set had damage and the pictures look pretty good (single books) so that may not be a problem and the only missing part is part 1 of the dictionary so that will not take away from the set of books.

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In fact, the set that sold did not have a dictionary so that would be a bonus.

I'm not sure of the true condition of the set that sold as they have it listed as 'good condition for its age" ?? Whatever that is supposed to mean (but the pictures look good).

I did notice there is a new listing on eBay for a white set and the asking price is $85 so that would be a good item to watch to see if it sells.

 
October 7, 20190 found this helpful

Thank you for your input will give it a go

 
October 7, 20190 found this helpful

Hi
Thank you for your information will give it a try

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
October 11, 20190 found this helpful

eBay sales show that encyclopedias are still valuable today and have absolutely nothing to do with being over 100 years old.
The biggest point is that almost all books can be very slow selling and getting a decent price can take a while.
You clearly stated your set was from 1963 and that is the same set that has sold for good money more than once in the past several months.
Your set may not sell for $650 anymore than the last listed set on eBay may not sell for $85 but if you wish to sell your set, I would definitely ask a higher price and lower it if there is no interest after a few weeks.
But just look at all encyclopedias sold on just eBay over the past several months and you will know that all sets do not have to be dumped or sold for $25. Some sets will not sell for even $25 but other sets will sell for hundreds so do the research and list it for whatever current past history shows people are willing to pay.
Some of the latest sets are selling (right now) for over $1,000 - do we know why this is true in this day and time? I certainly do not understand the reasons but if I had your set, I would make money with it.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
October 10, 20190 found this helpful

Even thought the back cover says 1768 it is not when the books were printed. They were actually printed in 1963. Normally any books that are less than 100 years old are not worth much at all. it is not a good diea to try and sell them online because books are expensive to ship to the person who buys them. Many schools will not longer accept these books. You can try to list them on Craiglist in your area. You may be able to get $25 to $50 for the set. Not a lot of people buys these types of books now because the information is out dated and they can find what they need online.

 

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