The short version
- Typical range: £3 – £15
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Books
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used cookbooks is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for cookbookss, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £15 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £12 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £9 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £6 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £3 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a cookbooks
- Out-of-print titles from significant authors
- First editions with dust jackets
- Signed copies with provenance
- Clean pages with no kitchen staining
What lowers it
- Kitchen staining and splatter marks
- Cracked spines from lying open
- Mass-market titles printed in huge numbers
- Ex-library copies
How to work out what yours is worth
- Check the copyright page for the edition
- Flick through for staining and note it honestly
- Search sold listings for that exact title and edition
Once you have those three answers you can place your own cookbooks on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
Are old cookbooks worth anything?
Most are worth very little, but out-of-print titles from significant cooks are collected and can be worth a good deal.
Does kitchen staining matter?
Yes, though it is expected in this category more than others. Photograph any significant marks.
Should I sell a cookbook collection as a lot?
Check a few titles individually first. Collections often contain one or two books carrying most of the value.
More value guides: books guides · all value guides · browse live books listings.