Old Books and Magazines

[lostman]

We "inherited" a box of old books and magazines when Losthubby's parents moved to Florida several years ago. The books are old textbooks, a couple from the 1920's, some from the 40's and 50's and some college texts from the 50's as well.

We also have several Life, Look, and a couple other magazines from the 60's that are not particularly significant, historically, and on eBay are only selling for less than $10 each.

Anyone got any idea of who/where might find use for them? I hate to throw them away, but they really do not have any emotional significiance to us, and they are just collecting major dust. I have enough of my own stuff doing that.

Any ideas?

 

[jmatt]

I'd check with a local college or library to see if they might have any interest, but if they wanted them, it would probably have to be as a donation.

Otherwise, I might see what Half Price Books (or the equivalent) might offer.

 

[accuratehorn]

We have the same problem-large boxes of old Life Magazines. Half Price Books doesn't buy magazines anymore, I don't think-shelf space too costly. Maybe a collector on Craig's List would pay something for them. Some issues do have collector value, but you have to find a buyer somehow.

 

[TxStHorn]

Ebay

 

[lostman]

Most of the old magazines on eBay don't have any bids,or are selling for $3-5. Not really worth the time and effort. None of these are really historically significant. Life from Nov 1967, an article by Gov Connally on Why Kennedy Went to Texas. Interesting, but not really significant. Same magazine also has an article about Dustin Hoffman getting the role of BB in "The Graduate".

Four Look magazines form 1967, with a 4 part series written by William Manchester called "The Death of a President". Again, interesting, esp if you are a Kennedy historian, but not monetarily valuable.

Interesting,also, to look at ads in them. Cigarette ads showing men and women smoking with no SG warnings. And car ads -

A few more - June 1990 - 13 years after Elvis died
May 1981 - President Reagan is shot
May 1988 - a sequel to Gone With the Wind
A special edition of Look commemorating Bobby Kennedy

I guess they will go in the recycle bin on Monday. If anyone is interested, let me know, you are welcome to them.

Addition - there is a Life from Dec 6, 1963 but the cover is gone.

 

[l00p]

accuratehorn, you should think about maybe just leaving them lay on the floor, maybe near the bed. It will preserve the integrity of the carpeting.

lady lostman: Are the magazines going for ten bucks each one or was that just for the books? It may be worth it to sell them that way as it would add up. Or, take it to one of those places that sell things for you on ebay and keeps a commission for it. You don't have to mess with it and they get sold.

 

[lostman]

We have about 12-15 magazines. On eBay, most are going for about $3 if they are sold at all. Many have no bids. If they are in good condition and are about a significant event in history they are getting a bit more. Only one that we have is about a significant event and it does not have a cover.

The textbooks I have are not worth anything on eBay - science and math text books from the 40's and 50's, a couple history ones, as well. Two from the early 20's that were Grandma's - readers, and a Gregg Shorthand and Typing in the 20th Century!

It's one of those things where you think "Surely someone is interested in this stuff." And lots of people say the same thing, but no one knows who or where.

 

[MilkmanDan]

The owners of Public Storage appreciate that mindset.

 

[accuratehorn]

Thanks, loop, that was a thoughtful suggestion.
The first Life magazine, photo by Margret Bourke White is worth something, and around here, the 1941 cover with the Longhorn football team photos is saleable, but still, it is finding a collector with dollars to spend.