How to Find Valuable Books in Thrift Stores, Estate Sales, and Even Your Own Shelves

Here's what to look for when it comes to collectible books.

You've heard the stories about people discovering rare books, netting the unsuspecting owner hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dollars. Believe it or not, you don't have to have an antique book on your hands to net any significant amount of cash. Plenty of titles published within the last 40 years or so are surprisingly valuable, says Joshua R. Mann, co-owner of B&B Rare Books in New York City. But do you know what to look for when considering the collectibility of a book?

Ahead, learn what makes a book collectible and what to seek when shopping secondhand—you may even find something on your shelves that could fetch a surprising price.

Meet Our Expert

Joshua R. Mann, co-owner of B&B Rare Books in New York City.

Related: 14 Valuable Collectibles to Look for in Thrift Stores

Check If It's a First Edition

Open the book to the copyright page, says Mann. For a book to be worth anything significant, you typically have to have a first-edition copy from the original publisher. Generally speaking, for books printed in the last 40-plus years, you'll find this information on the number line, says Mann. "Number lines typically start with the number one and end with the number 10," he explains. "You want the number line to start with the number one—anything other than that probably won't work in terms of value."

Look for an Author's Signature

The only exception? Later printings signed by the author. "That's a game-changer," says Mann. "Even if the book itself isn't valuable, the author's signature is worth something." Take Harry Potter books, for example. Any signed book by J.K. Rowling is worth at least several hundred dollars, he says.

Seek Specific Titles

Speaking of Harry Potter, look for specific titles by certain authors.Many know the first Harry Potter book by the better-known title, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, because the book has been through hundreds of print runs under this title. But the book's first printing was very small—only about 500 copies—and had the title Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Because of the name change, the series' eventual popularity, and the scarcity of those first-run copies, any books with the original title are considered worth a great deal of money. How much? About $100,000 says Mann.

Other titles to look for? Banned Dr. Suess books. First editions of the author's earlier works, such as And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, could earn you around $10,000.

There are also a number of Stephen King books that might be worth at least a few hundred, or possibly even a few thousand dollars, says Mann. Think first editions like Carrie or The Shining, particularly any signed limited editions from the 70s and 80s. Similarly, a first edition of A Time to Kill by John Grisham might be worth several thousand dollars because the initial print run was so small.

Related: 13 Insider Tips for Scoring Big at Thrift Stores, According to Experts

Save the Dust Jacket

If the book was issued with a dust jacket, you absolutely need that dust jacket for the book to hold its value, says Mann. "A dust jacket often represents about 90 percent of the value of the book."

If your book checks all the boxes, bring it to a local bookseller who can help you develop a valuation. They can also direct you to a preserver if you opt to hang onto your collectible. But in the meantime, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from high-moisture areas to keep the tome in tip-top condition.

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