A customer has been asking about how to find out the value of his old book. What sources should I use?

Everybody has an old book that might be worth a fortune! There are numerous resources both on paper and online to help you help your customer find out.

The condition of the book is important in terms of its market value. The Humanities Department has created a presentation for Determining Book Condition, helpful for both the librarian and the customer.

There are a number of Web sites which combine listings of booksellers for help in determining what items are selling for. Addall Book Price Search and Comparison has a “used books” tab. Fill out the form; use Keyword for publisher and date. The Advanced Book Exchange also has a form to fill out. For the Bookfinder, fill out the advanced option form so you can include more information, such as the date and publisher.

Remember: Prices you find on bookseller Web sites include the dealer’s markup. They will charge the buyer more than they will offer the seller!

There are other, more general Web sites, which are also helpful. Your Old Books lists questions and answers about book collecting, such as “What makes a book rare?” Firsts: The Book Collector’s Magazine has a useful area called “The Fundamentals of Book Collecting.” The Internet Public Library has many other links to follow!

Rare Book organizations are also useful in helping to find information. The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America lists booksellers and appraisers near you. You can also search book titles and find selling prices, and click on the “Learn About Rare Books” tab. The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers is a similar organization for booksellers and appraisers outside of the United States. On the other side of the coin, the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies is a guide to book collecting organizations.