How To Tell if a Book Is Old or Valuable
Every time we wander into an independent bookstore store and look at the copies available, we can’t help wonder whether there are any valuable books hidden on the shelves. Unfortunately, determining how much a book is worth isn’t just about age. It may involve knowing a little about the book’s publication history. Here are a few clues as to determining whether a book is old or valuable.
When Age Matters
Books published before industrialized printing (roughly 1830 or earlier) are considered “old” in the rare books world. These books may be valuable based on age alone, especially if they’re from the early years of book printing. Judging from the history of book binding, the oldest books you’re likely to find will be from the 17th and 18th centuries.
One way to make a quick judgement about a book is to look for chain lines, which are faint grid-like impressions on the rag paper from when it was pressed into the mold during creation. You may also find a watermark on the paper. These traits are a good indicator that you’ve found an old book.
Pro-Tip: Watch Out for Victorian Imitations
The Victorians loved the look of old books, so they would sometimes create fake chain lines on their paper. Real rag paper should have chain lines on both sides of the leaf and have a publication date earlier than 1830.
Determining Demand
Some books are valuable because they come from an era when books were rare, others are valuable because of their cultural significance. Books with both qualities are some of the most expensive.
To determine whether a book is old or valuable, it’s crucial to know the exact edition you’ve found and whether there is demand for it. Look for other copies for sale and see what the price point is.
Condition Is Everything
Finding a book in top condition can massively improve its value, if it’s already in demand. Dust jackets in good condition are a huge bonus, as are signatures and notes from the author. If you think you’ve found a collectible book, be very careful not to damage any part of it. Even a tiny tear can bring down the value.
We don’t often find extremely old books at indie bookstores or estate sales in the United States. However, the possibility of finding valuable first editions is a bit higher. If you think you’ve found something collectible, take it to a rare books expert for appraisal.
