So you took Marie Kondo’s advice and commenced tidying up your own home in hopes of doing the identical in other areas of your life. Perhaps in the method you got here across some cherished kid’s books, thanked them for his or her service, and gently placed them within the “donation” pile.
However, before you deliver them to your chosen charity, it could be an excellent idea to sift them one last time. According to a recent report by homeProtect, some first edition kid’s books are so wanted that they create their owners quite a lot of money. A really hidden gold mine!
“This is a collecting area that’s almost definitely to be ignored when cleansing out a warehouse,” notes antiques expert David Harper. “A kid’s book price lots of or 1000’s of kilos could have an old ticket in the duvet for just a number of kilos. It’s possible it’s a bit of worn and appears worthless, so it’ll probably be thrown away or donated to a neighborhood charity before being discovered by an astute collector later.”
Here’s a fast guide on learn how to earn money from old kid’s books and perhaps even start a small investment business on the side.
Stan is king
Before we reveal which titles it is best to listen to, let’s speak about some practical issues.
If you will have one of the vital sought-after kid’s books of the past century in your shelf and it’s falling apart, unfortunately it probably has no value apart from your personal feelings.
To earn money on classic kid’s books, they have to be in almost pristine condition, preferably still with the unique dust jacket.
“It’s price noting that the condition and completeness of the book is paramount as any damage or missing pages can significantly reduce the worth,” reads the report on the HomeProtect website.
Harper suggests that before deciding whether a kid’s book goes into the “donate” or “sell an excessive amount of money” heap, it’s worthwhile to undergo a methodical check. Turn to the within cover and search for the problem and date. Then do a fast Google search to see if the book is in demand on sites like eBay.
What kid’s book titles must you listen to?
However, for those who own a well-preserved first edition of any of the next titles, you’ll be able to skip this last step and go straight to the sale:
- Gruffalo (1999)
- Where Are the Wild Things (1963)
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969)
- The Velvet Rabbit (1922)
- The Giving Tree (1964)
- The Story of Babar (1931)
- The Polar Express (1985)
- The Small Engine That Could (1930)
- The Cat within the Hat (1957)
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea (1968)
How much are you able to earn
According to HomeProtect, first editions of classic kid’s books resembling The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Velveteen Rabbit can fetch between £5,000 and £10,000 at auction.
The first edition of The Gruffalo saw an incredible 200% increase in value between 2004 and 2016 – way more than the rise in the worth of gold and real estate through the same period.
A fast search at Barnaby’s reveals that the primary edition of Winnie the Pooh could fetch near £4,000, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire could sell for as much as £2,000, and James and the Giant Peach could fetch near £3,000!
Where to sell your precious kid’s books?
If you need to make a fast buck off your books, listing them on eBay is the very best option. Before you do this, it is vital to present them the fitting value. A fast and simple solution to do that is to do a search on AbeBooks.com. Just keep in mind that it is vital to search out copies that match your book as closely as possible. Search rigorously and avoid spelling mistakes.
However, for those who think you would possibly have some really special books in your possession and wish to get the very best possible price for them, your best bet is to go to an auction house like ValueMyStuff or Chiswick.
*This isn’t financial or investment advice. Be sure to do your personal research and refer to an expert advisor before parting with any money.
