Donate Marc Simmons Books — Free Albuquerque Pickup

I accept Marc Simmons donations anywhere in the Albuquerque metro with free pickup — the whole collection: New Mexico: An Interpretive History, The Last Conquistador (Juan de Oñate), Coronado's Land, Witchcraft in the Southwest, Albuquerque: A Narrative History, Following the Santa Fe Trail, and the many regional histories. You don't sort or price anything. Bring it all; signed copies, first printings, and scarcer small-press titles are recognized, and the rest funds New Mexico literacy.

Published June 2026 · By Josh Eldred, New Mexico Literacy Project

Marc Simmons was the dean of New Mexico historians — an independent scholar who wrote more than 40 books and well over a thousand newspaper columns about this state before his death in 2023. He lived simply near Cerrillos, helped found the Santa Fe Trail Association, and shaped how New Mexicans understand their own history. His shelves turn up across the state, and when one gets cleared, most people just want it to land somewhere that honors it. That's exactly what I'm for: I take the whole thing, free, and I check every book.

What I take: all of it

You don't have to know what's valuable

Here's the honest picture: Simmons was so prolific that most of his books are common and modest in value — but signed copies (he signed widely at New Mexico events over the decades), first printings, and the scarcer small-press and limited titles are collected, and interest rose after his passing in 2023. You don't have to figure out which is which; bring the whole shelf and I'll recognize the signed and early copies, set them aside, and keep the reading copies in circulation, with any value put to good use in the state he spent his life chronicling.

Why donate instead of selling it yourself

For a signed first or a scarce small-press title, selling on your own can pay. For the rest — the common UNM Press paperbacks and later printings — listing each book is more work than it's worth. Donating handles it in one call: no research, no pricing, no listings, no shipping, free pickup at your door, reading copies to new readers, and any signed or scarce copy recognized and supporting New Mexico literacy. Here's where donated books go.

How free pickup works

Call or text 702-496-4214 (or schedule online), tell me roughly how much there is and where you are, and we set a time. I come to you and load it all. I cover Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, the East Mountains, and the surrounding metro, and I handle whole-house and estate cleanouts regularly.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I donate Marc Simmons books in Albuquerque?

Right here — free pickup anywhere in the metro for the whole collection: the New Mexico histories, the Santa Fe Trail books, the folklore and regional titles. Call or text 702-496-4214.

Are Marc Simmons books collectible?

Most are common, but signed copies, first printings, and scarce small-press titles are collected (interest up since 2023). Bring it all and let me check.

Paperbacks too?

Yes — UNM Press paperbacks and reading copies go right back into circulation. Just don't throw any of it out first.