Have you recently inherited or purchased an old book or manuscript and want to know its value? Mearto provides quick and affordable online appraisals of rare books and manuscripts. All you have to do is click on the “Start Appraisal” button above and follow the steps to send us information about and images of your book or manuscript. One of our qualified and experienced specialists will review and get back to you with a fair market and insurance value, typically within 48 hours. Have questions about the valuation provided, or would you like some advice about selling your book or manuscript? We are here to help! Our platform allows you to chat back and forth with a specialist to ensure that all of your questions are answered.
Click the "Get Started" button below to set up a free account.
Answer a few simple questions and upload images of your item.
Receive a specialist's valuation by email in 24 to 48 hours.
Get help with the next steps, including consignment and sale.
A manuscript is the earliest draft of a completed original work that an author submits to an editor or publisher or agency for publication. Before the invention of printing, books and manuscripts were hand-written and hand-illuminated, truly an art in itself. In the world of second-hand and rare books, a manuscript may specifically refer to any author’s work in his/ her own hand.
A book, on the other hand, is a number of pages; made of papyrus, parchment, vellum or paper; bound together and protected by a cover, that depending on the age and origin of the book, could be composed of expensive materials like leather or gemstones.
There are many reasons for which art collectors and brokers value books. Factors that determine the value of a book are as follows:
Since the invention of the printing press in mid-1400, countless numbers of books, documents, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets have been produced. However, only a few thousands among these would be considered rare by specialists.
In the simplest terms, when the demand for a book exceeds its supply, it becomes a rare book. However, there is no single or easy formula to determine the rarity and valuation of books.
Scarcity is not the only factor that determines the value or rarity of a book. It may so happen that the book you own is still easily available in the market but its contents and the physical characteristics are so distinguished that it may be worth a lot more than you could imagine.
A first edition is the first version of printing for a certain book’s commercial distribution. This is considered as the first printing of a book, for the purpose of book collecting. The first edition of a book is prized because this is the closest thing that a reader or collector can get to the source of the book. In most cases, the first edition also features the original cover art and typos. When collecting first editions, you need to be cautious about the ones that claim to be one (when in fact they are not). This is what happens when a book is printed and published in different countries. The books with the highest value are the first edition books printed within the native country of the author.
Due to the level of demand on first edition books, it is important to know how to identify them when collecting rare books. The most important clue you should be looking for is the printing of the words “first edition” on the copyright page of the book. You can also check the number line that is also located at the copyright page. Usually, if there the number one present in that line, then it is most likely a first edition book.
It is also good to match the date on the copyright page with that on the title page. If these two dates match, then you can guarantee that you have a first edition book in your hands.
It is clear that book collectors are growing by the numbers. As mentioned above, the fact that books are being printed less and are instead produced in digital copies these days make these books even more valuable. Many of the book collectors build up their collection less of a hobby but more as a form of investment. This is a bonus, though, for those who already have a fondness for book collecting. With the expected growth in demand in the market, you can ensure that you will make a huge profit over time, should you decide to sell them.
The condition and the rarity of the book itself can have a direct impact on the book value. For instance, if you bought a first-edition copy of a book in the 1990s for $20, that same book would now be valued at around $150 (within 10 or 20 years). The actual cost valuation will vary depending on the type of book, some could be valued more. While it is not entirely a large valuation, it is still a noteworthy investment for book collectors.
Mearto offers two opportunities to sell your book or manuscript based on its current fair market value:
Customers with book or manuscript expected to sell for $5,000 or more can take advantage of our complimentary Consignment Concierge service. We will contact leading auction houses on your behalf, collect offers and help you negotiate the terms of a consignment agreement. There is no additional fee or commission for this service.
For customers with book or manuscript valued between $50 and $5,000, Mearto offers an exclusive Marketplace, which is accessed by a number of art, antiques and collectibles dealers around the world. If there is interest in your item, you will be contacted directly with offers through our platform. In the event of a successful sale, Mearto takes a 7% transaction fee.
To learn more about options for selling your book or manuscript through Mearto, please click here.
Lindsey Bourret is the Managing Director at Mearto. In addition to overseeing the daily operations of the business, she also enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge of the fine art and antiques market with our customers through our website, blog, e-newsletter and social media accounts.