Finding the Value of Old Encyclopedia Sets

I see this question asked a lot. Usually, they are worthless except for craft projects, because they are so outdated with incorrect information. You might try selling them as a set online but shipping will be probably more than the encyclopedias are worth.

Encyclopedias that are over 100 years old or have some other historical significance might be worth something. In that case, I would take it to a bookstore that specializes in old or rare books.

Good luck, let us know what the outcome is?

A person can ask for any price. Its what it sells for that counts.

It is not worth much since it is not an antique.

People get information from the internet now. These books are less than 100 years old and worth very little.

I believe there are several different kinds of Appleton's Cyclopedias and each has a different number of books to the set.

Truthfully - not very much. These sets are difficult to sell and most library book sales and thrift stores will not accept them because they are hard to sell for any amount.

You could try listing them on Craigslist for $60 and you may get a few bites and then decide if you want to sell or lower the price.

Here are some current listings at a famous book site:

https://www.abe  yclopaedia/pics/

Many people have old books they think are valuable and would like to sell. Most old dictionaries, references etc., have very little value, a few dollars at most. Encyclopedias dated after 1923 are essentially worthless but crafters may be interested for the old pictures. Libraries, Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc., receive donations of tons of old encyclopedias, dictionaries and reference books but send them to recycling centers or dumps as they cannot use or sell them.
You can check online for old book collectors, on EBay, Craigs List and other retail sites for possibilities. Everything is now online and updated constantly so old books are just that-old

Apartheid dates are 1948-1991. If your encyclopedias were published during this era, they have little to no value.

Unless the set is complete and over 100 years old, it probably is not worth very much.

Sad but true - there is not a lot of value to this type of books. I di find an appraisal of sorts from 5 years ago and they said the books were worth approximate $16 each. Another site lists the First Edition (1936) with a value of approx. 32.00.
It may be difficult to even give them away as most book sellers will not take them. You might place an ad on Craigslist and ask $25 and see if thee are any takers. Sometimes homeschoolers or craft people take an interest in this type of book.

https://www.abe  -world-research/

Your books may have value as they were published before 1923. Check for possible EBay, Craig's List, etc. prices, auction houses in your area and also this site

http://www.book  book-values.html

Encyclopedias, unless antique, have little value in today's market.

Since this is over 100 years old, it is considered an antique. It would be worth more if it were a complete set, but I would take it to 3 book sellers for appraisals.

From Flipsy.com:

James Beattie, of Books Appraised, has been a professional book appraiser for 33 years. He says the vast majority of encyclopedia sets carry retail values of less than $75. Single volumes (the D from a set of Britannicas, for example) sell for proportionately less. Beattie's advice for would-be encyclopedia sellers? I would initially assume they're not worth very much, he says. Check sites like Abe Books to see if there are any for sale and at what price.

The problem, explains Lynn Roundtree, is that encyclopedias have no inherent value. Roundtree, who has more than 25 years of book appraisal experience, is the owner of Armadillo Books & Appraisals, based in Chapel Hill, NC.

Read more at:
https://flipsy.  -Worth-Anything?

These books usually have very little value. You would probably be better off financially by donating it and taking the tax deduction.

Your set may be valuable depending on the condition, content etc.
You can take the books to a local auction house and old book collectors for a possible evaluation. You also can search online-EBay, Craig's List, etc., and this site for possible value:
http://www.book  book-values.html

These books have very little resale value. You can take it to a bookseller, but I think you will be disappointed. We donated an entire set of encyclopedias for this reason.

Many people have old books they think are valuable and would like to sell. Most old dictionaries, references etc., have very little value, a few dollars at most. Encyclopedias dated after 1923 are essentially worthless but crafters may be interested for the old pictures. Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc., receive donations of tons of old encyclopedias, dictionaries and reference books but send them to recycling centers or dumps as they cannot use or sell them.
You can check online for old book collectors, on EBay, Craigs List and other retail sites for possibilities. Everything is now online and updated constantly so old books are just that-old.

Many people have old books they think are valuable and would like to sell. Most old dictionaries, references etc., have very little value-a few dollars at most. Encyclopedias dated after 1923 are essentially worthless but crafters may be interested for the old pictures. Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc., receive donations of tons of old encyclopedias but send them to recycling centers or dumps as they cannot use or sell them.

You can check online for old book collectors, on EBay, Craigslist and other retail sites for possibilities. Everything is now online and updated constantly so old books are just that-old.

It's my understanding that encylopedias per se are not worth any money - perhaps the child books would fetch a bit - but don't count on it. The best you can probably do is to donate it to a school, library or thrift shop & then take the deduction for the donation.

Just advertise them on Craigs list or ebay. They are worth what someone is willing to pay. Otherwise you can pay an appraiser to tell you.