The short version
- Typical range: £30 – £500
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Books
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used first edition books is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for first edition bookss, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £500 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £425 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £325 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £225 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £125 | 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 first edition books
- Correct first-printing indicators for that publisher
- Original jacket, unclipped, matching the edition
- Author signatures with credible provenance
- Clean, unmarked text blocks
What lowers it
- Later printings described as firsts
- Price-clipped or facsimile jackets
- Ex-library copies with stamps and pockets
- Remainder marks on the page edges
How to work out what yours is worth
- Photograph the copyright page in full
- Check the jacket flap price is intact and unclipped
- Compare against a published bibliography for that title
Once you have those three answers you can place your own first edition books 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
How do I verify a first edition?
Photograph the copyright page and compare the printing statement against a bibliography for that author. Buyers will check, so accuracy matters.
What is a price-clipped jacket?
One with the printed price cut from the flap. It reduces value because it removes evidence of the edition.
Do ex-library copies sell?
They do, but for far less. Stamps, pockets and reinforced bindings all count against a collectable copy.
More value guides: books guides · all value guides · browse live books listings.