Selling a lot of very old books - worth it?

prowla

There might be some of value in there or ther might not; the real question is whether you want to spend the time sorting through them.

It might turn out to be really interesting doing so, or you might get fed up of it all.

The ex-bookseller (@Watty1) makes good suggestions.

If you just want rid of them, you could offer them on freecycle - there'll be someone who wants to do the above...

What_time_is_it

Thanks for all the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Nebbit

I don't know whereabouts you are but my family have sold quite a few second hand books to Astley Book Farm, Warwickshire. They came to collect following my father's death. Re postage, I send out a lot of books and I can confirm that the majority can still be posted within the UK for £3.49 (small parcel, second class)

soolin

Nebbit said:

I don't know whereabouts you are but my family have sold quite a few second hand books to Astley Book Farm, Warwickshire. They came to collect following my father's death. Re postage, I send out a lot of books and I can confirm that the majority can still be posted within the UK for £3.49 (small parcel, second class)

Buy postage online and a 2nd class small parcel is only £2.99! 

zackary71

Ahhh but soolin, a book doesn't wrap and protect itself !! That's the extra 51p.

soolin

zackary71 said:

Ahhh but soolin, a book doesn't wrap and protect itself !! That's the extra 51p.

I was responding to the £3.49 postage charge, I get the same for less money by buying online. Both of us still have packing and wrapping costs . All those 51ps soon mount up ! 

bring_back_threepenny_bit

There are no real shortcuts but there are a few things you can try. I had to clear a relative's house and there were over 30m of filled bookshelves. 
1.) Family and friends took what they wanted. Kept back a few oddments and collectable items for eBay.
2.) Invited a respected local bookshop to take them, he only took one small boxful but paid a fair price
3.) Took a couple of boxfuls of 'nice bindings' to the local auction. There is a market for books as decoration.
4.) Sifted out any with ISBNs and tried them all on Ziffit, WeBuy Books, Music Magpie and Sell it Back - either use a scanner or for older ISBNs just typed it once and then pasted into each search box to find the highest bidder. Anything from nothing or a few pence to several quid for the same book!
5). Put several themed job lots on freecycle/facebook marketplace. They all went quickly.
6). Found a local (Cambridge) seller who pays £2 per boxful, they took a vanload
7). What was left was a manageable amount to take to the charity shop

custservice

the books are probably too old but if you have any Tolkien.... send em my way )