Lots of people locate a field within the basement or inherit a group from a relative and suppose, “Alright… is any of this really price cash?”
Actually, it might probably go both manner.
Some points are surprisingly useful, however a lot of the payout comes down to at least one factor: situation.
A uncommon journal in tough form is often price lower than a standard journal in nice form.
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If you realize what to search for (and the place to promote) turning previous magazines into precise money is totally doable.
On this information I’ll present you the entire course of step-by-step: how to determine whether or not your magazines are price something, the perfect platforms to promote on, how you can prep them so patrons belief you, and even how you can ship them with out bending, creasing, or destroying the worth.
By the way in which, if you’re into magazines, you might be fascinated with studying how you can earn cash by writing for them. Take a look at our information on how to get paid to submit tips to magazines.
Let’s get you paid with out losing time.
The place Can I Promote Previous Magazines Proper Now?
Right here’s the place folks efficiently promote previous magazines proper now:
- Specialty sellers / back-issue patrons: Greatest for useful, uncommon, or massive collections.
- eBay: Greatest for particular person collectible points and something with demand.
- Fb Market, Craigslist, Nextdoor: Greatest for bulk tons and quick native money.
- Native used bookstores (together with Half Worth Books): Low payout however fast. good for common points.
- Etsy & craft markets (for ephemera): Nice for promoting advertisements, covers, and themed bundles.
Which Previous Magazines Are Price Cash?
Not each journal is gold. Most aren’t.
Right here’s how you can rapidly spot those collectors really care about.
The “Golden Period” (Pre-1970)
Magazines revealed earlier than 1970 are often the candy spot for collectors.
Why?
They seize historic occasions, cultural milestones, and early superstar appearances that newer points can’t match.
Plus, fewer copies have survived in good situation, so rarity drives worth.
High Worth Classes
- Style: Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, early Elle points
- Gaming: Nintendo Energy, early GamePro, Sport Informer classics
- Movie star & Pop Tradition: Playboy, Rolling Stone, LIFE milestone covers
- Hobbyist: Automotive & Driver, Scorching Rod, Mannequin Railroader, Scientific American
- Sci-Fi & Comics: Starlog, MAD Journal, early Marvel and DC fan mags
The “Factice/Partial” Worth
Some magazines maintain worth solely when full. Inserts, posters, or pull-out comics could make an enormous distinction in worth.
For instance, early Nintendo Energy points with the unique posters or gaming guides included usually promote for double what the identical problem with out them would fetch.
If pages or inserts are lacking, you’re taking a look at a severe drop in collector curiosity.
What Is Nugatory? (The Nationwide Geographic Rule)
Right here’s the truth verify: simply because {a magazine} is previous doesn’t imply it’s useful.
Widespread titles, current points, or closely broken magazines (like ripped Nationwide Geographics or moist, moldy stacks) sometimes have little to no resale worth.
It’s higher to recycle or donate these than waste time making an attempt to promote them.
The place to Promote Previous Magazines
Listed below are the perfect locations to promote your previous magazines.
1. eBay: The Quantity King
For sheer attain and potential worth, eBay is unbeatable.
It’s the place collectors hunt for uncommon covers, milestone points, and area of interest magazines.
Earlier than itemizing, all the time verify bought listings to see what comparable points really bought for (that is the true market worth, not simply asking costs.).
Suggestions: Use clear images, title formulation like “Journal Title + Situation Date + Key Characteristic + Situation”, and specify if inserts or posters are included.
2. Etsy: Classic & Craft Market
Etsy is ideal when you have visually beautiful classic magazines.
Assume artwork, design, and popular culture covers. Bundles, framed covers, and ephemera usually promote higher right here than complete stacks.
3. Skilled Ephemera Sellers
Whereas the “we purchase any journal” websites of the previous are principally gone, specialised sellers who promote on AbeBooks or at paper reveals are sometimes in search of particular inventory.
In case you have a really massive, targeted assortment (e.g., 50 years of Time), search for sellers who concentrate on that style and e-mail them instantly with an inventory.
4. Native Used Bookstores (Half Worth Books)
Native used bookstores like Half Price Books are nice for clearing out bulk tons.
They sometimes pay low, however you get money quick.
Count on about $5–$20 for stacks of widespread titles, although uncommon points might fetch extra.
5. Mercari: Mid-Vary Bundles
Mercari is a superb center floor. It’s simpler to listing on than eBay and has a youthful person base that loves pop-culture nostalgia.
This can be a excellent place to promote bundles of mid-value magazines like 90s gaming or music publications.
6. Fb Market: Keep away from Delivery
Native pickup makes Fb Market nice for big stacks, particularly heavy magazines like Nationwide Geographic or automotive magazines.
Negotiate in individual, meet safely in public spots, and also you’ll get money instantly.
7. Consignment Outlets / Vintage Malls
In case your assortment has verified classic enchantment, consignment retailers and vintage malls are wonderful choices.
They deal with the promoting for you, however the trade-off is often a 30–50% fee.
8. Paper & Ephemera Exhibits
For collectors who love area of interest objects, paper reveals and ephemera occasions are the last word venues.
These are particularly good for uncommon covers, historic points, or magazines with distinctive inserts.
You’ll attain severe patrons who perceive true worth.
How you can Promote Your Magazines for Extra Cash
Earlier than you listing any journal, spend a couple of minutes grading its situation.
This not solely helps you worth it appropriately but additionally builds belief with patrons.
- Mint / Close to Mint: Crisp, clear cowl, no tears, no writing, pages intact, minimal yellowing.
- Good: Gentle put on on edges or backbone, minor yellowing, small creases, however nonetheless full.
- Poor: Important creases, tears, lacking pages or inserts, water or mould injury. Solely promote these if they’ve rarity worth or as ephemera.
Getting ready for Sale
The way you prep magazines could make an actual distinction in worth:
- Take away odors: Freeze smelly magazines for twenty-four–48 hours, or use kitty litter in a sealed container for a couple of hours.
- Flatten pages: Place beneath a heavy e book in a single day to cut back curling.
- Do NOT take away handle labels or staples: This may injury the journal and drop its worth.
- Deal with fastidiously: At all times contact the sides and keep away from bending the duvet.
Itemizing Suggestions
As soon as your journal is graded and prepped, the itemizing itself could make or break the sale.
- Title template: Journal Title + Situation Date + Key Characteristic/Movie star + Situation (e.g., “LIFE Journal July 1969 Moon Touchdown – Very Good”).
- Pictures: Cowl, backbone, again, key pages, inserts, and any defects. Clear, well-lit photographs increase purchaser confidence.
- Description: Embody grading, completeness (posters, inserts), smoke/pet-free be aware, and transport information.
How you can Ship Magazines You Promote On-line
Delivery magazines is hard as a result of paper is heavy and bends simply.
Right here is how you can do it with out dropping cash.
Do Not Use Media Mail
That is the commonest mistake rookies make.
You may suppose magazines qualify for the cheaper USPS “Media Mail” price, however they don’t.
Magazines have commercials, which strictly disqualifies them from Media Mail.
If a postal inspector checks your package deal, it is going to be returned or the customer can be charged “Postage Due,” which ensures damaging suggestions.
At all times verify present USPS tips here earlier than transport.
How you can Pack Safely
Magazines are skinny, versatile, and susceptible to bending.
Right here’s how you can pack them appropriately:
- Bag & Board Technique: Slip the journal right into a poly bag and sandwich it between two items of inflexible cardboard. Tape the sides securely. This is similar technique comedian sellers use and works nice for single points or small stacks.
- Cardboard Sandwich: For a number of magazines, stack them neatly, place a bit of cardboard on prime and backside, and wrap with kraft paper or bubble wrap. Use a comfortable field that stops motion.
The Greatest Delivery Service
For a single journal, the perfect service is often USPS Floor Benefit (previously First Class Bundle). It contains monitoring and is probably the most cost-effective for objects beneath 1 lb.
Promote, Donate, or Recycle?
Okay, after you sorted and graded your magazines, it’s time to determine what to do with every stack.
Right here’s a fast determination desk to information you:
|
Motion |
When to Select |
Examples / Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Promote |
Excessive worth, good situation, full points |
Uncommon LIFE magazines, early Vogue, collectible gaming points; use eBay, specialty sellers, or Etsy for max payout |
|
Donate |
Good situation however low worth, or bulk widespread points |
Libraries, colleges, retirement houses, or artwork academics; donations could also be tax-deductible IRS guidance
|
|
Recycle |
Broken, moldy, water-stained, or large bulk of low-value points |
Nationwide Geographic stacks with lacking pages, torn covers, or musty scent; native recycling centers usually settle for paper by the pound
|
Following this desk retains your promoting course of environment friendly and ensures you don’t waste time on magazines that gained’t fetch a good worth.
FAQ
Strive used bookstores, flea markets, vintage retailers, Half Worth Books, and Fb Market.
Something from $0.50 to $150+, relying on title, situation, and canopy matter.
Use a inflexible mailer with a poly sleeve and cardboard stiffener. Ship by way of USPS Floor Benefit, as magazines don’t qualify for Media Mail as a consequence of commercials.
No, collectors like them intact.
Often no. Promote them as ephemera or recycle.
It is determined by the problem, cowl, and situation. Milestone points just like the July 1969 Moon Touchdown can promote for $50–$100+ in good situation, whereas extra widespread points may solely fetch $5–$15.
Previous Nationwide Geographic magazines are nearly all the time nugatory. As a result of households saved them for many years, considering they’d be useful, there are hundreds of thousands of them in existence. Until you’ve gotten a really early problem (pre-1920), you’ll probably wrestle to provide them away.
Ultimate Ideas on Promoting Previous Magazines
Promoting previous magazines isn’t sophisticated as soon as you realize what to search for.
Now that you know the way to promote previous magazines, the place to listing them, how you can worth them, and how you can package deal them, you’ve bought all the pieces you should flip that dusty field into actual money.
Begin by checking a couple of points on eBay, snap some clear images, and get your first itemizing up at present. You could be shocked how a lot a few of these promote for.
