Dickens antique set- What should I do?

Question

I have the complete set of antique Dickens books passed down to me by my Great Grandmother. Books dated 185-60's Anyone know a reputable buyer in NYC? How much are they worth?

Answer 1

Check

www.abebooks.com

to determine if booksellers across the country have any of the exact same issue on the market and, if so, how they are priced -- or at least find out how comparable works are priced.

This will give you a ballpark figure before you talk with one particular bookseller. Also abebooks will give you names of dealers in many locations.

The booksellers I know in NYC specialize in Americana, but there will be others with special interests in British fiction/classics.

It's important to know the condition of the books (very fine, fine, good, fair). If they are undamaged and worn only with age, they are likely to be valuable.

But I would encourage you to keep them in your family. They will certainly be irreplaceable. Especially if they relate to you family history or have inscriptions from your great-grandmother.

Answer 2

I would keep them. I am a huge Dickens fan. LOVE his books. If I had money I would probably offer to buy them from you, but with them being passed down from your Great Grandmother, I will not offer. Those are worth money, and need to be kept. If or when you have kids then you can pass them down, or even have them read them, but be carefull with them, very delicate. Good luck, and take care of them.

Answer 3

You may want to check E-bay and also call local book stores (esp. used ones) and antique shops. A lot of places will give you an idea of how much they're worth (or how much they'd pay you for them). You could also get them professional appraised, but that will cost you.

Good luck, and consider holding on to them. It'd be something amazing to pass down to your grandchildren.