# pricing an old set of books? (or what is this worth) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 23, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484 "2003-07-23T21:20:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/1 "2003-07-23T21:20:56Z")
Next door neighbour gave me a set of old Horticultural encyclopedias (printed 1935), and I would like to know if they have any value whatsoever. Anyone know where I might be able to get information on how to go about finding out? They seem to be in pretty darn good condition, especially given their age, and have several colour and black and white plates. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/2 "2003-07-23T21:31:08Z")
Try [ebay.com](http://ebay.com) & see what others sold for before… ---
**Author:** ![InTheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@InTheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InTheField)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/3 "2003-07-23T21:32:38Z")
try searching for the titles of these books in the ABE books website. They say that they are the worlds largest online site for used and rare books. It is amazing what you can find there. If they are listed on the site, this will give you a feel for the retail value. [http://www.abebooks.com](http://www.abebooks.com) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/4 "2003-07-23T22:38:52Z")
I can trump abebooks with [bookfinder.com](http://bookfinder.com), a metasearch engine that searches abebooks _plus]_ a dozen or more other used and rare book sites. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/5 "2003-07-23T22:42:10Z")
Yep go to [bookfinder.com](http://bookfinder.com) for an authoritive answer. 1935 is not old at all for books, so there not going to be worth a great deal unless for some reason they are partcularly sought after. ---
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/6 "2003-07-23T22:48:42Z")
perfect. Thats exactly what I was looking for. I searched ebay, but I didnt think it would be an accurate rate. Its not exactly something that most people would bother to search for. (One copy was on sale. No bids even). So along the same lines, anyone have any suggestions OTHER than ebay for selling old books? (Like I said, I dont see it selling on ebay). ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/7 "2003-07-24T03:52:34Z")
[Half.com](http://Half.com) or [albris.com](http://albris.com) are two sites where individuals can list their books. Albris is probably better for rare books. Or when you go to Bookfinder, click on the Our Booksellers link and check out all the ones they search. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/8 "2003-07-24T15:35:56Z")
(One copy was on sale. No bids even). Look at completed auctions, not active ones… ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pricing-an-old-set-of-books-or-what-is-this-worth/190484/9 "2003-07-25T16:44:34Z")
[Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) lists used books too.