The short version
- Typical range: £20 – £300
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Books
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used rare 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 rare bookss, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £300 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £255 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £195 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £135 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £75 | 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 rare books
- True first editions with correct printing markers
- Original dust jackets in good condition
- Signed and inscribed copies with provenance
- Bindings tight with no cracked hinges
What lowers it
- Missing dust jackets, which can slash the value
- Foxing and damp staining to the pages
- Cracked hinges and loose text blocks
- Book club editions mistaken for trade firsts
How to work out what yours is worth
- Check the copyright page for edition and printing statements
- Confirm whether the dust jacket is present and price-clipped
- Open the covers and check the hinges are sound
Once you have those three answers you can place your own rare 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
What makes a book valuable?
Edition and printing first, then the dust jacket and condition. A first edition in its original jacket is worth far more than one without.
How do I know if it is a first edition?
The copyright page carries edition and printing statements, though conventions vary by publisher. Photograph that page for buyers.
Does a missing dust jacket matter?
Enormously on modern firsts — often the jacket carries most of the value.
More value guides: books guides · all value guides · browse live books listings.