Book prices: a tutorial
How you find book prices
The details for our book in a book price database would be similar to:
GORDON, Adam Lindsay. SEA SPRAY AND SMOKE DRIFT. George Robertson, Melbourne. 1867. 1st ed. 8vo. Or.cl.worn: [4],372pp $60
The author is Adam Lindsay Gordon. The book was published by George Robertson in Melbourne in 1867. 8vo is a reference to the size, Octavo. The next abbreviations mean that it was published as a hardcover, and still has its original cloth, though it is worn. You would have to contact the bookdealer to find out how worn the book is. There are four unnumbered pages, followed by 372 pages in the book. The price is often listed in US$.
You are trying to locate a book that is as similar to yours as possible. Many millions of books have been published, so it's important you are looking at details for the book you're interested in.
Bookdealers generally offer to buy books at 50% of the price they will sell it for. So, if you're thinking of selling a book and you know the current selling price, you have a better chance of realising its true value. Be aware that the condition of a book will have a large effect on the selling price.
We'll try abebooks.com [new window] to locate a price.
Examine the results list. Check:
- the author, title, publisher, date of publication and edition. Do they match yours?
- the description of the binding. Is it a match with yours?
- Condition of the book. Books in "fine" or "very fine" condition attract the highest prices.
- Prices. Check value for money. Usually, the earlier the edition and the better the condition of the book, the higher the price will be. Dustjackets can add considerable value to the book
- You have a question about the book? Contact the bookdealer directly
Last updated: 13th January 2009
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