What can we do with a load of old vintage children's books?

[RoooneyMara]

Sorting through my Granny's stuff...I've brought home some very old, probably 50s books, not in great condition, but quite interesting.

Some are very racially disturbing! I know a couple who sell books and they have basically had a look and said, these won't fetch more than a few quid.

But I wonder if someone somewhere might be interested. I don't know if it's worth putting them on ebay? Or is there a better way to find them a home?

Not interested in the money anyway, but in putting things where they are loved and wanted.

[RoooneyMara]

One of them is this

It is very very odd...I showed ds1 and he was shocked at the racism. (as was I!) but I think we might keep that one as it is so fascinating.

[Campaspe]

Gosh, what an interesting find. If you don't want them, I would put them on ebay. I'm sure someone will be really interested. Alternatively, put a list on here; I'm sure there are a lot of MNers who are bibliophiles, and you might have just the book they are looking for!

[notcitrus]

Ebay probably best bet, especially if you group by author, putting author, title key words, and hb and dj in the title if they are hardback/have dustjacket no matter how tatty.

Though some vintage books don't sell at all, while other authors are in demand. It's very odd.

[RoooneyMara]

Thankyou very much for the tips. Ebay it is then...I am keeping some (Scuffy the little tugboat anyone?!) and will get rid of others - we have a few Little Golden Books and so on.

I think we're keeping the Orlando ones as well...this could get tricky

[morethanpotatoprints]

You could give them to me I would love them

[Robbabank]

Me too! I would be interested in whatever you do or don't put up on eBay. And yes, you MUST keep the Orlandos

[ToffeeWhirl]

DH sells old books. PM me!

[dementedma]

Willing to take any here - will pay postage!

[RoooneyMara]

Oh lovely! Well I will have a little sort out then I'll perhaps take some pics - I'll be in touch with those who have offered to take them.

He did say one of the Orlando books with its dust jacket was worth about £20 which surprised me. But they are too lovely to sell I think. If there was a huge amount all pristine then I would as I know they'll get a bit, well, scuffed up here

[BeehavingBaby]

DD is obsessed with vintage children's books, carries one around with her at al times (preferably one with a fabric cover) and keeps pestering to go to Hay-on-Wye on our holidays in public, it's getting embarrassing (how's that for a stealth boast). Please do link to the ebay listings, also happy to pay postage if you get bored ;-)

[BlueChampagne]

Another request for ebay links!

[spottybanana]

If you don't want to sell them, have you thought about covering a plain table with the covers then varnishing? I had a friend who did this with scraps and it was gorgeous when she was finished - might make a nice memory too (not the racist ones obviously )

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hey Toffee.

Back off I was before you

Hope you are well x

[LittleBoxes]

Amazon Marketplace might work. Or there's a brilliant children's second-hand bookshop in Hay-on-Wye who might be interested.

www.stellabooks.com/

Or you could just send them all to me

[ToffeeWhirl]

Hi morethan !

I'm fine, thanks. Hope you are too. x

[DeWe]

I would love them too

If you don't want them, and don't think they would fetch much, why don't you pass them to a (or several) charity shops so they can raise a bit of money.

If you're near Oxford, the Oxfam has a charity shop dedicated to books and they would love them.

[stroppyauthor]

Wow - what a find!! I would love them, too! I'm a professional children's author and also have close links with the Children's Literature department of Cambridge University, so strong professional interest in them as well as personal. Please let me know if you advertise them, or come up with a list. I'm particularly interested in the more quirky, which are often less suitable for children. I collect first editions of 20th century children's books - generally the worthless ones, but I have a few of the big stars! :-)

[Dirtymistress]

You should contact Seven Stories in Newcastle. It's the national centre for children's books. That way, lots of people would be able to make the most of them, rather than sitting in one collector's dusty library.