How Much Is Your Signed Book Worth And Where To Sell It? Experts Weigh In On Autographed Books – Flipsy

Do you have a signed book to sell? Do you want to know how much your autographed copy is worth and where to sell it? We interviewed the best booksellers to find out.

knows what you have

The best way to get a fair price for your signed book is to know exactly what you have. here’s a start.

You are reading: Value of books signed by author

signatures

Signatures seem simple, but there are actually four different types of autographs that expert booksellers recognize:

  • signature: the signer (usually the author) has written his name on a page of the book, and nothing else. this is also known as a “flat signature.”
  • inscription: the signer has typed his or her name along with a personalized phrase or message; for example, “to elizabeth”. normal inscriptions, such as those made at book signings, do not add value to signatures, and may even devalue them.
  • association copy: an inscription made to someone which is closely associated with the author. For example, if Harper Lee made an inscription dedicated to Truman Capote. association copies are often the most valuable types of signatures, as they are less common.
  • autopen: an autopen machine signs documents, especially for the us. uu. presidents automatic pens are not considered real signatures and have no added value

Note that association copies made by the author to the person to whom the book was dedicated are even rarer and often more valuable, and are called “dedication copies“. Signatures can also be found on “ex libris,” which are essentially strips of paper signed by the author and then attached to the book. Bookplates are not as valuable as signatures on the page.

signature authentication

The hardest part of determining what you have, and therefore its value, is authenticating the signatures. as antique bookseller joachim koch says, “signatures cannot be authenticated, even with so-called ‘certificates of authenticity’. while you may be able to verify that a signature is not authentic, the reverse is simply not possible. Experts may claim that a signature ‘looks authentic’ as it can be compared to similar objects signed by the same author, but no reputable dealer will ever verify a signature as authentic unless it was obtained by witnessing the signature.” p>

rarity and appropriateness of the author and the book

Another important factor in determining how much your signed book is worth is the rarity and attractiveness of both the book and the accompanying signature.

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book status and edition

Ultimately, the condition of your book, as well as its condition, will help determine its value. it stands to reason that the better the condition of your book, the more valuable it will be. At the same time, there is forgiveness in the industry: if you have an extremely rare signed book, it could be valuable even in poor condition. learn how to determine the condition of your book. true first editions tend to be worth more than later editions, but even later editions can be of significant value.

is it worth a lot, or not?

The value of your book can help you determine where to sell it. For example, a book worth around $100 might be a good candidate for sites like Amazon or eBay; while a book worth tens of thousands of dollars might do better if sold privately or through auction. To give perspective, here are some signed accounting values:

  • A real first edition of Ulysses signed by James Joyce is worth up to $500,000
  • A first edition of f. the great gatsby by scott fitzgerald sold at auction for $162,500
  • an inscribed copy of ian fleming’s moonraker sold at auction for $50,400
  • an inscribed copy of beatrix potter’s the tale of peter rabbit sold at auction for $94,400
  • an inscribed copy of george orwell’s down and out in paris and london sold at auction for $158,000
  • an authentic signed first edition by j.k. harry potter and rowling’s philosopher’s stone can be worth up to $55,000
  • a signed first edition of ernest hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms sells for $17,500
  • a jack kerouac inscribed second edition at the highway sold at auction for $7500
  • a signed first edition of stephen king’s Dolores Claiborne sells for around $100
  • a signed first edition of the twilight 10th anniversary edition by stephenie meyer sells for $100
  • signed copy of book 3 sworn in by brandon sanderson sold for $46
  • copy of house of the dead by dean koontz speed sold for $139
  • a signed first edition of along come a spider by james patterson sold for $60.
  • a signed copy of promise me tomorrow by nora roberts sold at a Auction for $62.
  • John Grisham’s first signed edition of The Rainmaker. is worth about $15
  • a first edition of dan brown’s davinci code, signed, sells for about $30
  • a first edition of our endangered values: a crisis morals of america signed by jimmy carter is worth about $15

As you can see, some signed books are worth a fortune while others are worth surprisingly little.

should you get an appraisal?

Getting an appraisal from a qualified book dealer is the best way to determine your book’s value, but you can look for listings on rare book markets to see how much your signed book is currently selling for. example sites include:

  • abe books
  • bookzangle
  • biblio
  • alibris
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If you decide to get an appraisal, select a book dealer who is certified by at least one of the following organizations:

  • antiquarian booksellers association of america (abaa)
  • international league of antiquarian booksellers (ilab)
  • independent online booksellers association (ioab)
  • professional association of autograph dealers (pada)

where to sell your signed book

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By now you should have at least an idea of ​​how much your book might be worth. the next step is to decide where to sell it. “There really isn’t a better place to publish a signed book,” Morris says. “signed books are listed in all the popular book places, and some that are not as well known as bookzangle and biblio. it may be best to contact one or more local used book dealers to determine their interest. They can also be listed on common auction sites, where they may or may not sell. craigslist can be just as good an option, but you should also be willing to refund the buyer if the autograph is found to be inauthentic.”

selling price versus selling speed

Consider the balance between selling price and selling speed. As Koch says, “The more effort you put into selling a book, the greater your chances of success. We advise clients of three approaches to turning books into money. an individual’s choice depends on the right balance between selling the book quickly and selling it at the highest possible price. it is different if you sell books to cover dental bills, we have had a case like this, or if you wait to maximize your profits”. koch advises his clients on three strategies:

  1. sell directly to a bookseller. this results in a faster sale but usually the lowest price. booksellers sell at market price, so they cannot buy at market price and make a profit.
  2. sell at auction. “here you get, by definition, the market price (minus the seller’s premium). The downside is you may not like the market price,” Koch says.
  3. Authorize a bookseller to sell your book on consignment. Generally speaking, this approach takes the most time but results in the highest price.

In addition, you can sell your books to local stores and collectors, pawn shops, and through online outlets such as book buying and selling websites, Amazon, eBay, and Craigslist. here’s a rundown of your options and their pros and cons.

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booksellers

You can sell to booksellers both online and offline. advantages

  • quick and easy sales

cons

  • usually the lowest price

auction

You can hire an auction house to sell your book. advantages

  • you will receive the fair market price for your book

cons

  • you will have to pay the auction house premium
  • you may not like the market price

on consignment

A book dealer can sell his book on consignment without having to maintain an inventory. advantages

  • you will get the most money
  • buyers will trust the seller, which will make your sale easier
  • convenience

cons

  • it usually takes longer to sell
  • you will have to pay the bookseller’s commission

book buying and selling websites

Sites like abe books, alibris, and biblio specialize in rare book listings. advantages

  • convenience
  • set your price
  • quick sales at the right price

cons

  • no guarantee of sale
  • publishing fees
  • many users are book dealers, not just collectors, so you may have to settle for a lower price. low

ebay

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you can sell your book on ebay in auction format. advantages

  • auction formats can drive prices above market value
  • convenience
  • quick sale potential

cons

  • no guarantee of sale
  • listing fees/commission

amazon

you can sell your book on amazon, the largest bookstore in the world. advantages

  • set your price
  • convenience
  • quick sale potential
  • exposure to many potential buyers

cons

  • no guarantee of sale
  • listing fees

craig’s list

craigslist and other classifieds sites can be used to list your book. advantages

  • free listings
  • no commissions
  • convenience

cons

  • no guarantee of sale
  • possibility of fraud

pawn shops

some pawn shops will buy signed books. advantages

  • fast sales

cons

  • low prices

directly to collectors

You can also try to sell your book directly to a collector on your own. advantages

  • more money, no fees or commissions

cons

  • It can be difficult to find the right collectors without industry connections
  • If you don’t know how much your book is worth, you may get less than its value

No matter where you decide to sell your signed book, Morris offers the following advice: “Be as sure as possible that the signature is authentic and describe the book, warts and all, honestly, in whatever medium is chosen to sell the book.” .” Finally, if he discovers that his book signing is worthless, he can still sell his book by comparing current prices on flipsy.com.

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