October 1, 20170 found this helpful
Best Answer
First - are you sure you have a complete set? There were not very many encyclopedia sets published with only 10 volumes is why I am asking. This year and publisher may have been the exception.
- In general, most encyclopedias are not very valuable and many times even difficult to give away.
- New Standard Encyclopedias are also known as Funk & Wagner so you can check prices on either name. eBay sells sets so you could check out their site for 2 or 3 months to get a better idea of what is selling and for what price.
- It seems the current value would be from $10 - $45 but may be difficult to sell even at that low price.
- You may see some sets with asking prices much higher but those are just that - asking prices and rarely sell for high prices.
- All most encyclopedias are very slow sellers and auction site sellers may keep relisting sets for months and even years and still may never sell them.
- The Internet has almost all of this information and up to date material and it is free so not many people actually have any need for these books or want to use up space keeping them.
- It is true however, some sets are exceptions but this brand was a lower end set and is rarely a collectors item.
- Here is what one appraiser stated:
- An asking price is probably not a selling price, but what a seller hopes to get.
- What they actually sell for is another story. A story of what they're actually worth to someone, and I'm afraid to inform you, that value is for less then ten dollars.
- Ask yourself these questions. Were they mass produced? Do they represent current knowledge? Are there places where you can get the same knowledge today for free? See what I mean?
- Most likely a buyer of these will use them as fuel for their wood stove.
If you are interested in selling your set, I would suggest you list it on Craigslist or any other local auction site so someone can take a look at the set and if sold, no shipping involved. You can ask whatever price you want and change it if no seems interested.
September 2, 20190 found this helpful
I have a complete set of New Standard Encyclopedias in EXCELLENT CONDITION
I have a 1952 set of New Standard Encyclopedias consisting of 10 volumes. It is in excellent condition. What might this be worth?
