if you wanted to sell 8 vintage ladybird books

[redpyjamas]

would you sell them individually or all together? Which is likely to get me more money?
Thanks!

First of all they need to be in excellent, almost mint condition.

What year are they?

Are they first editions?

You ideally should do some research to find out what YOURS may be worth.

Then decide.

Why do they need to be in excellent or mint condition? Surely if I just state what they are like, and photograph them, people will just bid what they want.

Also, if they just say in the front 'First published 1959', with no other dates stated, does that suggest first edition?

Thanks for your reply.

I would sell as one lot. Less faffing around a la Post office

Are they the "well loved tales" ones? The ones retold by Vera Southgate? I think the 606d series are worth the most. Even ones with slight spine damage can go for over a fiver per book.
Which ones have you got? If you have Cinderella (the one with 3 balls/dresses) I may be interested!

I've just bought a Ladybird Cinderella in pretty ropy condition for #2.75 - I was quite pleased, they always seemed to sell north of #10 and, while I was nostalgic about having the edition I had when I was a child, I am also quite stingy.

I'd say if you have any of the stand-out names - Cinderella, Snow White and Rose Red, Rumpelstiltskin - then sell individually but if they are the less exciting ones, job lot.

If they are not in mint/ excellent condition or first edition then they are not vintage. Just old.

Ahh snow white and rose red. After much scouring the charity shops I managed to get a copy for 70p!

Oh I loved the Cinderella book when I was little...The dresses were the most beautiful things I'd ever seen!

They are the historical figures ones (Julius Caesar, Nelson, Chris Columbus, Ric the Lionheart, Charles Dickins) and some science ones (weather, flight, birds of prey).

I have tons of ladybirds, incl. all the well loved tales, but they are not up for sale. The ones I'm selling are duplicates.

So, would the historical ones and science go for less then?

I don't mind about more trips to the PO. Just want to get best price for them. I'm in need of money atm.

Im afraid I have no idea about the historical and science ones have you tried a quick look on google?

It is hard to know what constitutes mint condition when a book is old anyway.

They are slightly scuffed and used, but no broken spines or anything.

Have tried to look up the definition of 'vintage', but nothing to tell me.

Just photograph them - and mention any rips or scribbles in the description. I don't think you need to describe them as vintage - it'll be perfectly obvious to collectors that they are the desirable 606d editions or not.

at snow white and rose red for 70p.

As an amateur collector, I'd prefer them to be sold individually on ebay.It's a pain clicking on a large lot and trying to work out which ones you already have/don't have.

I have all the 606D and am now collecting the Ladybird Leaders series-dinosaurs, cavemen and the like. Not worth much but I love the pictures and they're great for the kids, even if a bit out of date now.

a place to start is by looking at completed listings on ebay.
I'd say you try to sell them individually.
If it says first published 1959 - this does not always mean it is a first with ladybird. Look on the back and if it's the last on the list of titles in that series then it is a first.
In the title say something like ladybird Nelson series xxx matt 2'6 W&H 1st. In the description state the condition, put up a good photo, say if it is the last in the list on the back, say if it is Wills & Hepworth. If there are no scribbles say so.
I sell books like these individually and start the bidding at the min I want.
I often sell ladybirds in lots but you get an average of about £1 per book that way, and the bigger the lot the more sucessful this would be. Newer ladybirds are worth selling in lots, especially reading programmes, but the older ones are best being offered individually so that a collector can add to his collection with a better condition or a missing title etc.

The word vintage can be used to sell anything oldish on ebay, but I only use it if I have no other better word to put in the title.

I'd sell individually, I don't like to buy lots generally as you may only want a couple in there and you have to pay extra postage for the ones you don't want so won't bid as high.

Also if it says "first published" iirc I think that generally means it is not a first edition as with first editions the publisher doesn't know whether there will be any more editions for it to be the "first" of iyswim. It usually indicates that the book is a later edition and is referring back to when it was first published.

Agree with sixlostmonkeys to look at completed listings, I always do that if not sure how much to sell something for/whether it's worth selling or not and also as a buyer to give me an idea of what is reasonable to pay

re first editions - it is very interesting (and complicated) subject.
Different publishers indicate editions in different ways. American publishers are more likely to state the first edition than British publishers. As a general rule if it states first edition but has no mention of 2nd or 3rd imprint etc then you can assume it is a first - one exception though is ladybird who say that 1959 was the first time published but this will still be indicated on a 1974 copy, with no other indications. The list on the back is a better indication with ladybird.
Another to watch out for is first published in great britain - you need to check that the book wasn't originally published in another country, which would be the true first.
If a book says first edition 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 then it is a first edition first print. If there is a number missing ie 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 then it is a first edition 2nd print.

bloody hell youlearn somthing new every day!!!! n ex FILs house is a trunk of ladybird books in mint condition, form when exhs aunty used to be a special needs teacher for the RAF in the 50's, are they seriously worth some moeny then??

There are various websites where you can find out about vintage ladybird books. For example here. Don't take yours to the charity shop without checking first!

Another un-obvious set with avid collectors is the "observers" series. Some of these go for serious money.

get them out rainy rainy! We love them here - not for any money value just because I like DS to have them and always always buy them whenever we see them in charity shops But I have seen them sell for a lot on fleabay