very old books

[lemmy]

hello i have been given loads of books with notes on the inside cover with dates they were given to my great uncle here is a just a few of them
the pilgrims progress 1892...lord kitcherner 1917....jane eyre 1937....two noble lives by dj dean 6th edition 1899.do you know if they are of any value,thanks

[Schutzengel]

A quality secondhand book shop is the best bet, where they would make you an offer. Early editions like these are quite collectible. If you have a considerable number of books, it would be advisable to make a detailed list in the first instance, rather than take all the books to the shop. It is as well to check if they are first editions, which of course are more valuable. Sometimes with these older books, it doesn't say 1st Edition, but 'Copyright' instead. Also it is important that they are in reasonably good condition. Mainly the inner pages need to be good, with little or no foxing, (that is little brown spots). If the covers are worn and the book is quite scarce, then the bookseller will sometimes have them rebound. Hope this helps. Which area are you in.