Rare books abound. The reason is that most people pay no attention as books pass through their hands. They are interested in content rather than additional commercial value. Places these books can be found are garage sales, library sales, museum sales and even book sales.To get a rare book, you need to initially spend a few dollars obtaining some used books. Books that are worth the most are books that show little signs of wear and have no overt damage and markings. Deterioration of the book through use is not as bad as markings or defacing.
It is best to take all the books at one time and go to the computer. Go to the Internet and log onto Barnes and Noble's website. At that point select "Used and Out of Print Books." This section will offer a search by ISBN number, title or author. Further the prompt will ask if the inquirer is looking for soft cover, hardcover or both, as well as new or used copies.Evaluate not only the price but the number of copies available. If the price is $10.00 but there are 800 copies it is not a rare book.
The Barnes and Noble information truly pegs the book's value, however, when trying to see exactly what is owned in terms of value, it is important to see what is happening in the market. Further, the prices of a book’s availability can change so a person may want to hold on to a book for awhile.Go to Amazon.com. Go to the book site and search for the title as done at Barnes and Noble. This will also show numbers of copies and prices they are being sold for. Two pieces of information have been obtained: The availability of a book and the current offers or "market activity" of a book.
Go to eBay.com. Search for the book and if it is being bid for, see what is being asked and if there have been any offers, or, if there is a frenzy of activity.
The availability of the book has been determined by Barnes and Noble's information. However, a book is only worth something if someone is willing to pay a given price for it. By double-checking with Amazon.com and eBay, the willingness of people to buy the book either verifies or eschews the book's worth and "rare value." At that point a book owner is prepared to make an intelligent decision.