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Books/book club

Old books

(40 Posts)
Greenfinch Sat 07-Jun-25 15:32:41

I have several books which are over 100 years old. One was published in 1888 so obviously they do not have bar codes. Does anyone know what I could do with them ? I am not out to make money but can’t bear the thought of dumping them in the tip. Ideas would be appreciated . I also have two very old family bibles but they are not in a very good condition. The books are.

Katjoy Wed 18-Jun-25 09:27:23

Why not google to find some proper antique bookshops like the ones in Hay on Wye to buy them, or sell online and give the money to a charity close to your heart.

M0nica Wed 18-Jun-25 13:56:17

Even chairty shops are turning away books these days. We are downsizing and several have tuned down offers of books.

Allira Wed 18-Jun-25 14:59:41

JamesandJon33

Oxfam collects books. My DD buys many old and interesting books from them .

Our Red Cross shop has started sending those they don't sell to World of Books. At least they have another chance.

AmberGran Wed 18-Jun-25 18:46:12

Greenfinch

Thanks Parsley3. I will try that and thanks to everyone else who responded. I will follow up some of the ideas. The charity shops around here are unfortunately overwhelmed with donations and certainly won’t take old books. I mentioned bar codes because on the sites I have looked at they require a bar code or ISBN code for an estimated value.

WeBuyBooks and Ziffit will take books without ISBN and bar codes but you need to email them with the book details to find out if they want it and what they will pay for it.

I've got loads of books without ISBNs that I will be clearing out soon so that's what I will do first.

M0nica Wed 18-Jun-25 20:15:16

I just google title and author and some site or another will throw up a copy and its selling price. I am too lazy to bother with ISBN codes. Anyway, most of my books do not contain them. Much of my library is archaeological reports or other 'grey' literature

watermeadow Wed 18-Jun-25 20:29:15

Old books are only of any value if first editions in excellent condition, with dust jackets.
I volunteered in charity shops for years and saw most donated non-fiction thrown out. If we need information now we Google it.

GrandmaKT Wed 18-Jun-25 20:33:49

Do you have a community library? We have one in our village and they are happy to take all books. Some go in the library, some that might be worth something, are auctioned on Ebay etc, and even the ones that can't be used are sold to be pulped and raise money to keep the library going.

welbeck Wed 18-Jun-25 22:57:25

Anglo Doorstep Collections take books.
I heard about them on here.
I find them v convenient.
They make a donation to charity

Greenfinch Wed 18-Jun-25 23:12:33

Thanks AmberGran . I will have a look at Ziffit.

M0nica Thu 19-Jun-25 15:07:02

there have been several intersting articles in a range of newspapers recently about how people are buying books by the yard to make their houses look as if its owners are wellread.

There are severally companies who will consult with yoy and discuss what you want from you library - its cintribution to your decor, to you rimage of yourself and your claaimed interest.

I will stick to the old fashioned way of buying books I will buy books I want to read - and then read them and put them on my bookshelf for later consultation with otu worrting about how the colours of the covers and size fit in with my decor.

DeeAitch56 Sat 21-Jun-25 18:41:17

Google ‘ where can i sell my vintage books in the uk’ and it comes up with several sites that will buy your vintage books online

Elrel Sat 21-Jun-25 18:51:48

Re family bibles and other old, treasured but delicate books, have you thought of having them rebound? Inspired by the Repair Shop I have had my mother’s 1930s Complete Shakespeare beautifully skilfully repaired by a local bookbinder. It cost much less than anticipated and delighted my actor grandchild as a present. I have also had my other’s precious’Palgrave’s Golden Treasury’ rebound.

Elrel Sat 21-Jun-25 18:52:29

Mother’s!

Greenfinch Sat 21-Jun-25 21:48:46

We have two old family bibles and I did think of getting them rebound but I thought it might be very expensive and I don’t think any family members would really appreciate them.