Where can I research the value of a book?

Hello Community,

I have just purchased the following book at my local library – Ellery Queen’s, The King Is Dead.

The copyright date is 1952, By Little Brown and Company. It is a hardcover, First Edition. It has no ISBN. It has a library of congress catalog card No. 52-5529

I need some of bonanzle’s more experienced book sellers to tell me where I can research the value of this book.

Any help would be greatly appreciate it.

Your Friend,
LouieTheSeller

asked almost 14 years ago

15 Answers

Hi LouieTheSeller,

There are 2 websites that I especially like when researching an older book as in your question.

One is [URL removed] [URL removed]
As it says on the home page, they specialize in “Resources for Bibliophiles.” On the right-hand side of the home page, you can check off the various book websites, and viaLibri will search across all of those sites so you won’t need to do it individually.

A similar site that I like to visit is AddALL. You’ll want to reference the “Used and Out of Print Search” page [URL removed]
[URL removed]

I did a quick search for your book at [URL removed]

[URL removed]

That link is a shortened URL, condensed from 593 down to 20 symbols, so it may take a few extra seconds to open up if you plug that into your address bar.

HTH :)

answered almost 14 years ago

I suggest utilizing multiple sources for pricing the book. The Advanced Book Exchange ([URL removed]) is one great source. I also suggest using Google Product Search (click on “shopping” from Google’s search page).

Keep in mind that the high-priced copies will probably never sell and should be ignored. To get a better idea of the value, take a look at the results sorted from low to high. A first edition with no dust jacket is listed at $9.99. Several first editions with dust jackets are listed at around $25.00. It sounds like the value of your book is within that range.

answered almost 14 years ago

thebgs
Reputation: 108
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Thank You to all that have replied. I am fascinated by the fact that some search results show this book being sold at the price range from $1.99 to $499.00

It’s rather interesting!

Your Friend,
LouieTheSeller

answered almost 14 years ago

Most librarians that have been “librarians a lengthy time” would offer the BeST advice. Try going back to your local library for direct results.

answered almost 14 years ago

MONTROSE
Reputation: 8354
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I research my books [URL removed] At Bookfinder you can Compare prices on over 150 million books for sale new • used • rare • out of print • international • textbooks. The search returns give a wide range of prices for what the book is currently priced at on the internet.

Prices are based on condition, whether or not a dust jacket is present (and the condition of said jacket), and availability of the book. I’ve done a search on the Ellery Queen book, specifying first edition, and the results are [URL removed] [URL removed] There are many copies listed online, but again, pricing depends on condition. Of course a signed copy will be more valuable.

I found an excellent website that explains bookselling and collecting in layman’s terms, covering how to grade condition, terms that are used, how to identify the edition, etc. [URL removed]

I hope this helps.

answered almost 14 years ago

I do most of my book pricing on AbeBooks.com ([URL removed]
There were 51 copies of the hard copy, first edition listed, ranging in price from $2.00 (damaged condition) to $125.00 (a copy with another mystery writer’s signature).

The other big site that I know about is BookFinder.com ([URL removed] I have not used that one as much – they both index a LOT of books for sale.

answered almost 14 years ago

SODAS
Reputation: 20
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A good place to start is www.chambal.com.
Easy to use – just enter ISBN – and you will get a pretty good
spread of market values……………

answered almost 14 years ago

i use amazon.com. because the majority of new, used, and antique book buyers shop there. you won’t like the prices but it’s the reality of the times.

answered almost 14 years ago

I agree with Barntiques, when you’re looking for realistic pricing options check Amazon. List at a high price and hope you sell, list at a low price and know you will.

answered almost 14 years ago

If it is signed by Daniel Nathan, Frederic Dannay, Manford (Emanuel) Lepofsky, or Manfred Bennington Lee would add to its value. (not so much for the book but for the autographs. Very few, if any, books of fiction from the 20th century have any true great value. However, autographs of famous authors do.

![URL removed]

answered almost 14 years ago

wallyh
Reputation: 387
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[URL removed]

answered over 3 years ago

SexandC
Reputation: 12

Check Amazon and see what it’s selling for.

answered almost 14 years ago

I always check Amazon prices

answered almost 14 years ago

The site Addall searches millions of book listings at all the major listing sites. I have been using them for a number of years selling books. There is a wide range of listing prices, You can ask any price, but does it sell. I normally try to find a rough average of the prices then reduce a third. That formula is effected by the Book title and Author, Printing and Publisher, its condition, desirability, and number of available listed.
[URL removed]

answered almost 14 years ago

For any books, you can also check on WorldCat
While primarily a resource for finding a book, or journal, music, etc., throughout the world, it is helpful for research.

[URL removed]

It won’t give the price but will reveal if something is relatively rare, by seeing how many/what libraries have the book or journal.

answered almost 14 years ago

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