“Collecting Newspapers – The Basics” (Part IV) – Setting Values…

March 25, 2024 by  
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We are often asked “What’s my newspaper worth?” in phone calls and email messages. As one might suspect, there are many factors which determine value and much like a jeweler cannot give a value of a diamond by an email or telephone inquiry, our ethics do not permit us to place values on newspapers without seeing the issues in hand.

Many factors determine value. The more important include condition, desirability among collectors, extent of coverage, completeness of the issue, proximity of the city of publication to where the event happened, time lag between the event date and the reporting date, dramatic appeal (more so with 20th century issues), and location of the report within the issue (front page? page 3?). Other factors come into play with more significant events but those noted are the prime determinants of value.

From a personal perspective setting values has been an interesting process, as no guide book of values existed 30+ years ago when I started the business. I priced an item in my catalog for $10 and if I had twenty orders for it I knew the price was too low.  If no one ordered it the price was too high. Through the years, and by data basing sold prices (on index cards prior to the computer!), I’ve honed my own “price guide” based on actual sales, and it is this now-sophisticated database which we use to set values for new inventory as it arrives.

Do values continue to rise? In general, yes, but we are careful to never recommend the purchase of early newspapers for investment purposes. As is true of most collectibles, rarity and desirability determine where prices will be for the future.

But providing an historical perspective from our own files, back in October of 1981 we sold in our catalog #26 the NEW YORK HERALD of March 5, 1865 reporting the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, very nice condition, for $70. In 2018 we sold another issue of the NEW YORK HERALD of March 5, 1865, also in very nice condition, for $745. If we had a similar issue today, it would likely go for around $1,000 – and even more if offered through a prominent auction house.

So, what do you do if you have a newspaper and would like to know its approximate value? One resource is this Blog – not for posting questions, but for exploring. We have many posts which provide specific examples of issues and their prices. Perhaps a better resource is the Rare & Early Newspapers website which provides 10,000+ examples (best to search by date and look for a comparable – see image below). Once you’ve explored these avenues, you are always welcome to contact us directly by email (guy@rarenewspapers.com). We would need the exact title and exact date of each issue to get started. Sending only photos does not work for us.

What two resources are not helpful?

1) Ebay. Why? Just because someone is asking for an amazing price doesn’t mean they’ll ever sell it at that price. “Previous Sales” are what matters.

2) Posting a question on this Blog. Why? We rarely monitor it.

Feel free to send any additional questions concerning the valuation of newspaper to us at the same email shown above. We’ll do our best to answer any that come our way… and who knows, perhaps they show up in a future post. 🙂

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Filed under: Civil War, Common Questions, Valuation of Issues
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Comments

532 Responses to ““Collecting Newspapers – The Basics” (Part IV) – Setting Values…”

  1. Samantha on June 8th, 2015 11:40 pm

    Hi! I have a November 25th 1963 Dallas Morning Newspaper of the Oswald shooting. Just wondering what it’s worth?
    Thank you!

  2. josie on June 9th, 2015 2:05 am

    I have a martin luther king jr news paper and a few other older ones. Can i get someone to purshes them

  3. Hannah on June 9th, 2015 2:26 pm

    Hi, I have a newspaper in good condition from Dec 8th 1941 announcing world war 2 and the bombing of pearl harbor. Any way to know what the value of something like that is worth?? Thanks!

  4. GuyHeilenman on June 12th, 2015 6:42 am

    Please send details (name of newspaper, date, and a note re: condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. He will respond within 24 hours. A picture or two is not necessary, but would be helpful.

  5. GuyHeilenman on June 12th, 2015 6:44 am

    Please send details (name of newspapers, dates, and a note re: their condition) to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. He will respond within 24 hours. A few pictures are not necessary, but would be helpful.

  6. GuyHeilenman on June 12th, 2015 6:46 am

    We offer these, when in excellent condition, for $68. Good luck with it.

  7. GuyHeilenman on June 12th, 2015 6:51 am

    There are so many variables to consider – too many to make a call sight-unseen. Feel free to send pics to guy@rarenewspapers.com, or, go to http://www.rarenewspapers.com and search for “Man on Moon” and compare yours with others that are listed. Good luck.

  8. Muneer on June 30th, 2015 7:07 pm

    Hi, I have a New York Times news paper, from the New Years of 2000. Is it worth any money?

  9. GuyHeilenman on July 1st, 2015 12:59 pm

    I would hang on to it – for a long time. Too many hung on to these and still have them to make this have value at this point.

  10. Rosemary on July 2nd, 2015 5:32 pm

    Hello, I had collected a number of newspapers with different dynamic headlines of JFK’s death, I have the entire newspaper, I live in Springfield, Massachusetts. I also have one with the Headline of President Johnson taking over and one of President Truman. I have several papers. they are in good condition and not torn, hardly discolored as I had kept them in a case. Can you help me to find a collector that is interested in these. I would like to send them as a set, there is approx. 8 newspapers in all. Thank you..Rosemary

  11. Marcey on July 10th, 2015 1:05 am

    I have an excellent condition Los Angeles Times newspaper from 1936 , what would be the value of it ?

  12. Mr.Garner on July 14th, 2015 11:23 pm

    Who deals with old jet magizines

  13. Albert on July 17th, 2015 8:44 am

    what is the value of the1897 graphic news paper of London england

  14. Stephen on July 30th, 2015 10:50 pm

    I have a New York chronicle final edition vol 31 no.2 that talks about hurler seeking refuge in Palestine, and I was wondering what the value of it is.

  15. Stephen on July 30th, 2015 10:53 pm

    I am sorry, I meant to say hitler seeking refuge in Palestine.

  16. Eric on August 5th, 2015 8:09 pm

    Would a unopened newspaper from the day before 9/11 be worth anything

  17. Joanne Desrosiers on August 28th, 2015 8:03 am

    I have many old papers that I’d like to sell but I’m most curious about one in particular. It’s from The Manchester Union, August 15, 1945. Headline reads:
    “MacArthur Will Accept Formal Tokio Surrender”. I want to know if Tokyo being spelled wrong makes it more valuable?

  18. marylou on August 31st, 2015 9:15 pm

    I have an original newspaper from August 1935 on the day that Will Rogers and Wiley Post were killed. It is in perfect condition, & I am interested in its worth. Thank you.

  19. GuyHeilenman on September 3rd, 2015 6:30 am

    Prices vary depending upon location, displayability, condition (yours is good), completeness, etc. The following link will give you a number of comparisons: Will Rogers & Wiley Post Death Reports

  20. GuyHeilenman on September 3rd, 2015 6:31 am

    In some cases “mistakes” can add value, but in our opinion, not in this instance.

  21. GuyHeilenman on September 3rd, 2015 9:26 am

    Hello Rosemary – Sorry for the delay. If you still have them, you may want to contact Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com.

  22. GuyHeilenman on September 3rd, 2015 9:29 am

    We would need to know the exact date, the condition, etc. in order to be able to comment.

  23. GuyHeilenman on September 3rd, 2015 9:31 am

    Feel free to contact periodyssey.com

  24. GuyHeilenman on September 3rd, 2015 9:32 am

    Hello Albert – We would need to know the exact date – and a statement about condition. Most do not have value.

  25. GuyHeilenman on September 3rd, 2015 9:48 am

    Not really. Sorry.

  26. Jennifer on September 6th, 2015 9:19 am

    I have 2 plastic (appears to be plastic) sheets of Dec 20th, 1941 newpaper master print sheets (not sure the technical name). They’re very brittle and were rolled up and stored in an attic for years. The back is smooth and glossy and the front has raised pictures and lettering that I presume is ran through a printer. This doesn’t look like it’s been ran through anything but then again I don’t know what one looks like that’s been ran through. What would aomething like that be worth?

  27. Sammie on September 7th, 2015 9:18 am

    I have a 1965 miami herald.i. good condition.can i get it sold and where

  28. Bindu Puri on September 9th, 2015 4:43 pm

    I have a newspaper of 1904 from maryland

  29. Karen on September 9th, 2015 7:25 pm

    I have a new paper, the Atlanta Journey of 1904 in April 24. Is it worth anything.

  30. Myra on September 10th, 2015 7:05 pm

    I have a New York Times dated Monday July 21, 1969 pages 1-48 entitled “Men Walk On Moon”
    What is the value? All
    Pages in tact and the paper has ages to a paper bag tint through out.

  31. Myra on September 10th, 2015 7:06 pm

    I have a New York Times dated Monday July 21, 1969 pages 1-48 entitled “Men Walk On Moon”
    What is the value? All
    Pages in tact and the paper has aged to a paper bag tint through out.

  32. Leticia on September 18th, 2015 8:10 pm

    I have a San Diego Union tribune newspaper dated Dec 31, 1999. Its in plastic & has the certificate of authenticity limited millennium edition card inside. Is it worth anything?

  33. Autumn Barnett on September 21st, 2015 11:02 am

    Hello I came acrossed a February 7,1938 newspaper in plastic with authenticity with it. Is it worth anything? Thank you Autumn

  34. Brenda on October 4th, 2015 10:27 am

    I have a STAR WEEKLY from August 18,1956 id it worth anything.

  35. Samantha garcia on October 11th, 2015 1:58 pm

    I have a new York times authenticated paper dated December 14th 1951 any idea what its worth?

  36. David Cross Sr on October 12th, 2015 1:51 am

    I have a monitor from East st Louis ILL from 1964 would it be worth any money

  37. Shannon on October 13th, 2015 9:44 pm

    I am cleaning out my grandma’s house and found a copy of the Washington Post from August 12, 1923. Also found copy of the Sunday Star from February 10, 1924. When I say copy, I don’t mean copied. They are originals. Would it be worth checking into value of them?

  38. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 6:52 am

    It is not likely. We are not aware of any key dates in 1964 in which St Louis newspapers would have collector value.

  39. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 6:52 am

    We are not aware of content within these issues which would cause them to have collector value.

  40. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 6:54 am

    This is likely what is known as a “birthday paper”. We are not aware of content within the issue that would cause it to have value to historic newspaper collectors.

  41. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 6:56 am

    We are not aware of any content within the issue that would cause it to have value to those who collect historic newspapers. If it reports the death of Bela Lugosi, it might have some value – upwards of $50 if it is in great condition.

  42. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 6:58 am

    This is likely what is known as a “birthday paper”. We are not aware of content within the issue that would cause it to have value to historic newspaper collectors.

  43. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 6:58 am

    This is likely what is known as a “birthday paper”. We are not aware of content within the issue that would cause it to have value to historic newspaper collectors.

  44. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 7:00 am

    As you’ve described it, this would retail for anywhere from $50-$88 depending upon just how dark (toned) it is.

  45. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 7:01 am

    Without reading through it we cannot say for sure, but, we are not aware of content within the issue that would cause it to have value to historic newspaper collectors.

  46. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 7:02 am

    We would need to know the exact date and condition.

  47. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 7:02 am

    We would need to know the exact date and condition.

  48. GuyHeilenman on October 26th, 2015 7:04 am

    We do not know as we are only knowledgeable about the actual printed newspapers themselves.

  49. Misty Dawn on October 30th, 2015 9:12 am

    Good morning! I have a newspaper from Dallas with headline of JFK slain on Dallas street. It is still in the original plastic with the ad in it. The only damage on the paper is the heat or sunlight on the back that has yellowed the paper around where the ad was placed. I would like to sell it if possible. I am a nursing student with children that could use some help for christmas. If anyone is interested please send me an email. My email is mcoatesa@gmail.com

    Thank you
    Misty

  50. Hary on October 30th, 2015 7:32 pm

    I have got 1928 oct 27 herald sun newspaper i would like to sell it .any idea how much it worth

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