posted on September 17, 2001 06:56:01 AM new
I generally sell hardbacks, but a few months ago I aquired a rather large collection of vintage paperbacks and recent trade p-backs at an estate sale. My question was asked on another board but all I got were mostly sarcastic answers (no help at all). So, I'll try here.
Question: how does one grade a paperback book? I've been using the standard grading system and have been describing the cover as I would a dj. Would this be correct? Or is there another type of grading different from the usual standard?
posted on September 17, 2001 07:54:28 AM new
i would grade them using the same standards as HC,most paperbacks are not considered collectibles,buyers may not care as much as long as they can read them.
my two cents on your question.
posted on September 17, 2001 08:23:36 AM new
Hi hwahwahwahwa...appreciate the reply. Your right that paperbacks are, for the most part for reading only, and they are listed and priced as such, but there are exceptions to every rule...I recently sold a Philip K. Dick novel, that stirred quite a bidding war and closed at $36.00. Not bad for a book I paid ten cents for, I have PB's from well respected authors who began their careers writing original paperbacks and those seem to be highly collectable, that's why I was wondering about grading.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:03:07 AM new
hi Rob, I too have been amazed at what the paperbacks go for, my BOTTOM price is $8, my average is about $14, I have dozens on at $22 - $24, and 2 at $56! I wouldn't collect them! but I will provide them to those who like to! They do have a certain charm, often colorful art, and often the title is not available in HB.
I describe them the same as a HB book. I am very careful to always include 'paperback' spelled out, I don't want any discussions later with a miffed buyer who "thought it was HB and should BE HB for that price!".
I meet occasionally locally with 3 other ebay/Amazon sellers and when the conversation runs to "boy, I hate to charge THAT for a paperback!" I usually say "So. now you control their bidding finger?"
I have a worthless little item (not books) that I collect. Worthless except to me, I guess. I hunt for additional items to paste in my little scrapbook with a hunger usually associated with a dinner served at 9 p.m. Each little 'find' is screamed over when found, anxiously awaited in shipment, oooooohhhh over at arrival and placed ever so carefully in the album in alphabetic order. Then I'm on the hunt for another! I was going to end this with what the item IS but realized it doesn't matter. I allow others to spend their money as I spend mine. With free will. And if they spend way too much for a bio on Cobain, I really don't try to stop them.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:04:11 AM new
anne rice paperbacks first edition are worth something,but paperbacks in general do not hold up as well.
good luck to you.
posted on October 6, 2001 04:54:33 AM new
there are many vintage paperback collectors and even school teachers who want or need some obscure paperback for a class. The most I have ever been paid for a paperback is $39 but that is good profit for a 5 cent investment. I have sold 100s for $10 to $15 each too. But, most sell for less than $5 and some may never sell. The strategy that seems to work best for me is just keep listing and listing and listing.
I describe paperbacks' condition in conversational English: worn cover with creases along the spine, some sticker residue, and a little chipping on the back cover. pages are clean and tight with previous owners signature on inside cover
pcalton
Perry Calton [email protected]
http://www.pcalton.com
posted on October 12, 2001 02:50:30 AM new
I have sold a very small trade paperback for $500 and a large trade paperback for $1250 on Amazon marketplace. No, I did not forget the decimal. Both were very good or better and very hard to find.
Old mass market science fiction can sometimes sell very high also.
