i want to sell a rare book how do i do this?

Question

I want to value and sell this book "The works of Aristotle. The famous philosopher containing his comnplete masterpiece and family physician his experienced midwife his book of problems and his remarks on physognomy complete edition, with engravings LONDON 1779 JOHN SMITH 79, HIGH HOLBORN2

Answer 1

Take it to a rare book auction dealer.

Answer 2

I would like to second the answers that advised you to just sell your books on Ebay. Unless the books you have are extremely rare and sought-after (first editions of classics, old illustrated books etc. and in excellent condition), an antiquarian will not give you much for them. They themselves want the best possible profits for themselves, that’s how the business works. Even with the percentage that Ebay takes, you are still more likely to get more money through there than by taking them to an antiquarian.

Answer 3

I am not sure your book is that rare. There are a couple of copies being offered for sale on abebooks at the time of this answer. It appears the sale price may be around £180 if the book was really published in 1779 (it appears there were reprints) and it is in good condition. Of course, a bookseller would offer you less.



It isn't worth paying Christies' commission! On the other hand I agree with other respondents that you would be unwise to use ebay.



You should take your book to a couple of reputable dealers in antiquarian books to ask how much they would buy it for. If you look up http://www.abebooks.com you will find a list, accessible by geographical location, of booksellers using this software. For some reason, it is easier to access the bookseller list in the US version of abebooks than the UK one. Not all the booksellers listed will buy individual books; but it should be obvious which entries relate to established shops near you. Alternatively, simply look up in your local Yellow Pages!

Answer 4

Sorry to put a damper on your query but just because your book was printed in the 18th century does'nt make it rare or valuable. Aristotle was living a few hundred years before this was printed, if it was a hand written manuscript you'd be selling for thousands. As it happens your book is worth a little over £100, my advice would be to hang on to it for awhile. It can only increase in value.

Answer 5

I would take it to the British library and ask the curator for an opinion of it's value and then you should get free valuations at auctioneers - like Sotheby's and Christies. Make sure you put a reserve on it. If I have won the Lottery tonight I may bid on it!

Answer 6

It is one of those counter-intuitive things about books that just because they are old doesn't mean they are valuable. This will go for about 150 pounds if your lucky. There is a section on ebay for antiquarian books and I've always found that I make a good price for books on ebay which I use quite regularly, you can set a reserve of say 100 pounds and see how you do, if you generate interest from more than one buyer you might exceed expectations. If you do have a go let us know.

Answer 7

Christie's in South Kensington have a book department. Either take your books in for a free valuation or send in photo's to Christie's, 85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD. Also visit the website and they also have details www.christies.com.

Answer 8

I sold my rare book on e bay but it's the luck of the draw unfortunately , I did very well with mine.

My ex bought it from a charity shop for 40p read it gave it to my son , he threw it in a toybox for a year or two , then noticed it was signed and unabridged ( artemis fowl ). It sold for over £50 and it was really tatty.

Answer 9

Insure & take to the experts don`t listen to people who may offer you a couple of hundred try the British Museum first they er like a good book.

Answer 10

hey,

Waz^? Well I got ya an answer. You need to take it to a action. Ofcourse you then need to ask how much it is worth, or you could try and sell it on ebay. Ofcourse you would have to have it taken to an appraiser. Have fun selling it and don't take less than $700 for it.

-annai

Answer 11

I think that you should give it a Rare Catchphrase but make it a bit misteriously eye catching.

I'm just saying but I haven't got one

It could be worth a lot if it is as rare as it seems to be Gold dust or somethingg.

Answer 12

Try the link below from the Yellow Pages (Yell.com) for sellers of rare and second hand books. They may be able to advise you on the best price to Auction/Sell your book.



With regards to selling the book, you could offer the book to one of the people listed in Yell.com or try one of the following:

Amazon Marketplace (UK)

eBay (UK)

Answer 13

I worked for oxfam once and they sell rare books over the internet, but they have dealers come in wanting to buy.

Answer 14

Sell it on ebay but it depends on what book its is. Some people buy really old books for loads of money.

Answer 15

I buy many old books from abebooks.com. They have a catalogue of sellers from all over the world, so maybe you could become a seller for a short while.

Answer 16

Why do you want to sell it?? I'm sure if you don't need the money and you keep it for a bit longer it'll be worth a lot more. It could be a family heirloom!

Answer 17

You can give details to me, my close friend (and GP) is a rare book collector, and would pay big for a book like that. Feel free to e-mail me The rest pf our Q&A crew is correct, don't bother with E-Bay-someway. and somehow you'd get screwd using Ebay. Good luck, hope to hear from you

(oh and FYI--"I" get 60% commission from the deal"""-JUST KIDDING-I WANT NOTHING, EXCEPT TO HELP YOU AND HOPEFULLY FIND A GOOD BOOK FOR MY BEST FRIEND'S COLLECTION.. TAKE CARE OF YOU!"

Answer 18

If your in London, try Robert Frew. He has a shop near Gower street, near the British Museum . Ph 02075802311. I have dealt with him in the past and can recommend his fine reputation.

Answer 19

Look up the yellow pages or go online to yell.com and look up specialist book dealers or something.



Whatever you do, don't necessarily take the first offer. Get a few values in first.

Answer 20

Try Christies of London

Answer 21

Ebay?



Try an antique book store?

Answer 22

Have a look for a similar copy on this bookselling website:



http://www.alibris.com/



They deal in rare books. Before you contact them, search on the site for a copy of the book you have and if it's listed it should give you some idea of how much it's worth,.

Answer 23

Go to a top auctioneers like Southerbys and get it valued first and then decide if you want to still auction it. Make sure you put a reserve on it.

Answer 24

Google abebooks.com and see if there are any other copies on the site. (Rare and Antiquarian books). They have 80 million listed so there is a chance. If you are satisfied with the price, sell it on that site.

Answer 25

Antiques Roadshow normally pay good money 4 rare stuff...

Answer 26

Take it to a specialist book shop.

Answer 27

Take it to the rare book shop

Answer 28

I would think the best way to sell would probably be at a specialised auction.

Answer 29

A specialist auction. Look online for one near you and get it alued properly.

Answer 30

rare book auction

Answer 31

use an auction house or get it valued then use ebay

Answer 32

How about eBay? There are plenty of collectors on there.

Answer 33

submit it to an auction either internet

or by an antique book dealer auction

I'm sure you can find them online or via BBC ...

Answer 34

you could put it on eBay in the collectables section or try advertising it in your local paper in the classifieds.there is always a collectable section..

Answer 35

ebay

Answer 36

try an auction near you, just don't waste your time by putting it on e-bay!

Answer 37

on ebay, amazon or even any other website

Answer 38

stick it on ebay

Answer 39

try ebay.. or goto a specialist bookshop in london... even try the british library

Answer 40

i dont know other than get it valued and advertise it

Answer 41

ebay

Answer 42

sell it to a rare person

Answer 43

ABEBOOKS AS THE MAN SAID

Answer 44

It isn't stolen from a library is it.

Answer 45

ebay

Answer 46

e-bay

Answer 47

EBAY the only online auction place

Answer 48

on E-BAY

Answer 49

EBAY EBAY EBAY AND EBAY