I have a 1886 Webster's dictionary of the English language. How much do you think it is worth? The cover is in bad condition.
Thanks!!
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
During this time on eBay this book is only bring in up to $60. Condition will play a factor in this amount. Maybe you could get in touch with a collector on social media who would invest more to you. This book would be very specific to a particular buyer who loves history the way it was written in that time!
If this dictionary had a decent cover it may sell for up to $110 at some point in time as they are still popular because they actually 'look' like an antique and most have something inside other than just a dictionary - older pictures and maps are popular.
There was an 1886 edition like yours sold on eBay in January, 2020 but in pretty good shape and sold for $85 plus shipping. This was a good price but only one edition this year and also much better condition. You may not see another sell for this price in a very long time.
www.ebay.com/
Here is a link to eBay's sold listings so you can get an idea of what people were paying (before the crisis) for older dictionaries. Sellers post books for sale and may leave them posted for months/years and most may never sell.
www.ebay.com/
If I were to place a value on your book - in this condition - I would venture to place the value at $10-15 but maybe a 'never' sell.
This is just my personal opinion based on watching sales of vintage and antique 'history' books/sets.
Sales require several good pictures of complete book - especially the cover and spine as well as a good description of condition.
Cybergrannie gave you a very accurate assessment of the value. If it was mine, because of the condition, I would probably set it up as a good until cancelled listing on eBay starting it at the high end and setting a very low take best price offer. This way the current market can dictate what you will fetch for it.
If you do this, be sure to have it be buyer paid shipping so you don't accidentally lose money--because this piece is quite heavy.
Junk journal artists like the dictionaries with a lot of illustrations so maybe include that in your title if you have extra characters.
Be sure to list the condition--in descriptive terms--not just saying the cover is bad. What is bad--stains, tears, marks, holes etc. It is critical to describe what you see and refer people to your photos for up close looks.
Also if the book has any smells...even an old paper smell...you must disclose that in detail. Cigarette smells or moldy most also be disclosed and quite frankly, the latter two will almost guarantee no sale...as those are what ruin books, but if there is a smoker who collectors or journals, they may not care.
Post back how your sale goes!
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
