What did you do with old horse books?

[shewasmyshadow]

So, we're cleaning out our garage today on what looks like the last nice day of the year. I came across two large boxes of out-of-print, antique or hard-to-find horse books. Ones I kept just because they look like they're worth something.

Does anyone know if these type books are worth anything? They are mostly novels for young girls or young people in general. Most likely aimed at teen to young adult. They are thick, but maybe not adult books. Although as a horse lover I did read many of them as an adult. Many are the old hard backs or old-time soft covers. Some good stories, but not special enough to store for 10 yrs until my kid's are ready.

If anyone is looking for something specific let me know. I would be willing to search through them and find out if I had it. Otherwise, I'm just trying to figure out how to handle them. Should I list them individually on ebay? Or something like that? Or sell them as a single lot?

Any ideas?

[Arrow]

Could you just maybe list the authors for us here? I'm always on the lookout for anything illustrated by Paul Brown. I'd probably list them on ebay in groups of 3 or 4--but...how many are there? Are they in good shape? Dust jackets? Mold?

Go to ebay with your titles, search ebay, and see if you find that any are selling for big prices.

[Cat]

Arrow took my advice. LOL. Research and then sell them on e-bay in small lots.

[shewasmyshadow]

I'm going to do close up pictures of mutliple books at a time. That way you can see covers and authors. This website will get first dibs, then I'll post them on ebay. So, I'll post them in the flea market when I get the pictures done. I'll also put a post here that tells you the thread is ready in the FM section. If that doesn't get rid of them I'll offer them back here. Probably the whole box for the price of shipping.

[Arrow]

I'd check out them all on www.abe.com if I was you--do a search, then look at the prices. Some of them might be worth some money.

[42many]

The problem with used books is that you have to look into EVERY title to determine if they are worth selling or not. I have several series where 5 of 6/7 books are standard paperback prices and then that ONE DARN BOOK is like 3-4 or more times that because it is rare or out of print or something. I've spent $30+ on a single paperback book occasionally just trying to fill in my favorite series' (after I moved away from family and couldn't borrow them anymore!).

Anyhow, I'd flip through the books on Amazon or something and see if you can find which ones might be worth something. If it isn't worth the hassle of selling them, I'd just give them away or take them to a used book store - you can get a little money and some happy kid will thank you!

Good luck!

[Arrow]

Yep--sell the ones that are worth some bucks, and take the rest to Goodwill. www.abe.com is the best way to research prices. A book illustrated by Paul Brown might be worth $5, $50, or even $500. Dust Jackets matter. I know quite a bit about collectible kid's horse books--just ask me anything you need to know.

[shewasmyshadow]

Check the Flea Market section for the books.

[alittleoffkey]

Our antique bookstore has tons of old books - several my mother recognizes from her own youth that were quickly passed on to cousins without a second thought - that are worth $500 or more. I would yellowpages.com antique bookstores and see if you can take them in to one in your area. :)

I keep all mine- I have two huge rubbermaid containers packed to the brim (my Nancy Drews are around here somewhere too)! I plan on having/adopting children in the future, and I hope I end up with a daughter who will enjoy the Thoroughbred/Heartland/Pony Club/etc series as much as I did. :) I'm frugal... it's a money-saving technique. Really. :innocent: :D

[shewasmyshadow]

I have all the BEST ones saved. I have ALL the Margaret Henry ones-even Gadenzia(fully illustrated). I have Old Smoky in the illustrated version. Oh, and I saved ALL my breyers-every single one. We have at least 4 HUGE boxes of them. Someday I will have a tackroom with all the favorite horse books and all my breyers on display. :D Someday...

[Sparrk]

I was going to suggest that...keep 'em, and maybe later on you can display them in a bookshelf and some child may love to read them?

I know though, storage can hard.