Help:how to sell old books

jennymc99

My dad has been collecting books from an author published 1880-1950 (G A Henty). We know that others collect them too. He is sadly unwell and wants to see if he can sell them before he dies but we don’t know where to start. I really want to help him so grateful for any advice. 

Emmia

I'd look for a website (specialist dealer) that sells the books and approach them with a view to sell.

E.g. https://stellabooks.com/books/ga-henty

If you approach a few, you'll get an idea of how much you'll get.

Emmia

thara1996 said:

Heya.  

Perhaps see if you can even sell them at a local charity store in order to start off with. Also try your luck on the internet in addition. Another good place at which to sell on books is at a garage sale as well. 

Having done a quick google, these are potentially valuable and of interest to specialist collectors. So a charity shop, garage sale etc. isn't likely to achive the best price.

DullGreyGuy

A lot will depend on how much effort you want to put into it or if you're happy accepting a lower figure and minimal effort?

A book isnt valued just on its author but what edition it is, condition, dust jacket present or not etc etc. Without knowing a lot more it's difficult to know if you are sitting on a reasonable sum of money or stuff that goes for pennies at a car boot sale. 

The easiest approach is contacting old/rare book dealers and see what they'll offer for it as a collection. Clearly wont bet the best price as they have to make a margin (which isnt 10%-20%), pay their staff etc. I know with jewellery you get some that buy it off you money up front and there are others that instead offer it for sale and take a commission if it sells. 

Personally, for rare but not expensive books I've had good experiences with eBay but it's a fair bit of work and you always risk a problem buyer etc. 

soolin

The author doesn’t appear to sell well, there’s a few around at the £5 -£10 mark and many go unsold. Have a quick look at completed listings on eBay .

it might be better for your father to keep them while he can rather than be disappointed by the sale value. 

lincroft1710

In early 2022 a collection of 12 G A Henty novels published in 19th and early 20th Century sold at auction for £81, so they don't seem to be particularly collectable.

Vectis

You could try contacting a physical auction house. They might at least be able to tell you how much they're worth and you might get an idea if they will sell or not.

lincroft1710

Vectis said:

You could try contacting a physical auction house. They might at least be able to tell you how much they're worth and you might get an idea if they will sell or not.

Well, if you look at my previous post (the one just before yours) you will see what a collection of this author's works sold for at a physical auction house in early 2022

soolin

Vectis said:

You could try contacting a physical auction house. They might at least be able to tell you how much they're worth and you might get an idea if they will sell or not.

lincroft1710 said:

Vectis said:

You could try contacting a physical auction house. They might at least be able to tell you how much they're worth and you might get an idea if they will sell or not.

Well, if you look at my previous post (the one just before yours) you will see what a collection of this author's works sold for at a physical auction house in early 2022

I tend to recommend proper auction houses for higher end items where value is unclear. However , as has been pointed out there is a clear sales history here (lots on eBay as well as the one pointed out by lincroft1710 ),  so there’s no point as an auction house will start with the same sources. 

Auction house fees could easily eat a quarter or a third of the hammer price, so I still think it best to keep them rather than face disappointment.