How do you get books valued

[Chelsea26]

Just that really…

MIL is downsizing and has got a few very old (100y+) books that she thinks might be worth something…

Have a look on Abe books, that might give you an idea.

i'm not sure but could you google the title and see if you can find that publication copy / year / date available elsewhere for sale? And roughly how much for if so? (at least for starters).

A lot of old books aren't worth much if anything at all. Its nothing really to do with age but depends on if the title/author is collectable. And the mark up from bookdealers is very high. I agree Abe books is a good place to start. Or even Ebay.

I managed to find my books online. They are absolutely beautiful with illustrations (bird identification books, with hand drawn pictures, good condition). Only worth about £20 each.

Bear in mind, as well, if you're selling you will only get about half the price you see them advertised at on AbeBooks.
Condition is important too.

Thanks all - I’ll take a look tomorrow. I don’t imagine they’ll be worth anything but best to check before they go in a skip/to charity!

Contact an auction house. They have book specialists. They’ll give you a valuation.

We had 6 Jane Austens from MIL recently. We looked up three antiquarian booksellers and emailed them.
One gave us a quote over email from pictures and one we had to take in. I don’t honestly think you can properly do it any other way.

Google local antiquarian booksellers. Give them a call.

I'd try and find them online (googling the titles and year etc) and see what they are selling for in a similar condition, or look on ebay at actual sold prices rather than asking. I've bought and sold a few over the years as I used to collect them (nothing hugely committed or serious). The books that I eventually resold that made a profit were always well known titles - classics or well love childrens books -or otherwise essentially just very pretty editions.

If they're attractive or decorative with intricate covers or bookplates then they might hold some value to collectors or as decorative items. Otherwise it will largely depend on the title or author being well known, the edition and very much the condition. Age doesn't necessarily equate to value even if they are wonderful things to have when you think about it. I have a few I'll never sell but otherwise felt compelled to get rid of them as they do just gather dust and need to be stored properly to prevent environmental damage.