What to Do With Old Encyclopedias (2026 Guide)

Q: Can I recycle old encyclopedias?

Yes. Encyclopedias can be recycled as mixed paper in most municipal recycling programs. Remove the covers first if they have a plastic laminate or leather binding, as these are not recyclable. In Albuquerque, the New Mexico Literacy Project handles recycling for you — we sort every volume and recycle what cannot be reused, keeping encyclopedias out of the landfill.

Q: Should I throw away old encyclopedias?

Do not throw away encyclopedias without checking for value first. Pre-1900 sets, the Encyclopaedia Britannica 11th edition (1910-1911), and sets in fine leather bindings may have collectible worth. Even common sets can be recycled rather than landfilled. In Albuquerque, donate them to the New Mexico Literacy Project for free — we accept any condition and provide free pickup for heavy collections.

Q: What encyclopedias are worth money?

The most valuable encyclopedias include: the Encyclopaedia Britannica 1st edition (1768-1771), early editions of Diderot's Encyclopédie (1751-1772), the Britannica 11th edition (1910-1911) known as the 'Scholar's Edition,' and any pre-1850 encyclopedia with hand-colored plates or maps. World Book, Funk & Wagnalls, Compton's, and post-1960 Britannica sets typically have minimal monetary value but can still be donated rather than discarded.

Q: How do I get rid of a heavy encyclopedia set?

A full encyclopedia set can weigh 50 to 100 pounds, making disposal difficult. In Albuquerque and across New Mexico, the New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup for heavy book collections including encyclopedias. Call or text 702-496-4214 to schedule — no sorting, no boxing, no minimum. I come to you, usually within the same week.

Q: Can I sell old encyclopedias on eBay?

You can list them, but most post-1950 encyclopedia sets sell poorly online because shipping costs for heavy multi-volume sets are prohibitive. Individual volumes with notable illustrations, maps, or plates sometimes sell to crafters and artists. Pre-1900 sets and the Britannica 11th edition are the exceptions — these can attract genuine collector interest on platforms like eBay and AbeBooks.

The Hard Truth About Encyclopedia Values

I get asked about old encyclopedias more than almost any other type of book. Families inherit a complete set of World Book or Encyclopaedia Britannica, remember how expensive it was when their parents bought it, and assume it must still be worth something. I understand the instinct, but in most cases the honest answer is that post-1950 encyclopedia sets have very little monetary value.

The reason is straightforward: the internet made general-reference encyclopedias functionally obsolete. When a 1988 World Book set was new, it cost several hundred dollars because it represented organized human knowledge in a portable format. Today that same information is available instantly and for free. Supply vastly exceeds demand — millions of these sets exist, and very few people are buying them.

That does not mean your encyclopedia set is worthless or should go in the trash. It means you need to set realistic expectations, check for the specific editions that actually do attract collector interest, and then make a smart decision about donation, recycling, or — in rare cases — selling.

Which Encyclopedias Actually Have Value

Worth Checking — Potentially Collectible

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1st Edition (1768–1771): Three volumes, published in Edinburgh. Extremely rare — if you have an authentic first edition, it is a significant find. Contact me immediately.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition (1910–1911): The "Scholar's Edition," widely regarded as the finest single edition of any encyclopedia ever produced. Twenty-nine volumes with contributions from over 1,500 experts, including notable writers and scholars of the era. Complete sets in good condition attract genuine collector interest.

Diderot's Encyclopédie (1751–1772): The foundational Enlightenment encyclopedia. Any original volume is a significant collectible. Seventeenth and eighteenth-century plates are particularly sought by print collectors.

Pre-1850 encyclopedias with hand-colored plates: Any encyclopedia printed before 1850 deserves professional evaluation, especially if it contains hand-colored maps, botanical illustrations, or anatomical plates. These plates are often worth more individually than the complete set.

Fine leather-bound sets with gilt edges: Ornamental encyclopedias bound in full leather with marbled endpapers and gilt page edges can have decorative value to interior designers and set decorators, regardless of the text content.

Minimal Monetary Value (But Still Worth Donating)

World Book (any year): The most common encyclopedia in American homes. Even complete sets from the 1960s and 1970s in pristine condition rarely attract buyer interest.

Encyclopaedia Britannica (post-1960): The later editions, including the popular 15th edition (Macropaedia/Micropaedia format), are widely available and have minimal collector demand.

Funk & Wagnalls, Compton's, Collier's, Grolier: Mass-produced sets with very low resale value. However, some Compton's sets from the 1920s–1930s with Art Deco illustrations have modest decorative appeal.

Childcraft, New Book of Knowledge: Children's reference sets are extremely common and almost never sell on the secondary market.

Why Nobody Else Takes Encyclopedias

I hear the same story every week: "I tried Goodwill, Salvation Army, the library, and two thrift stores. Nobody would take my encyclopedias." Here is why:

Libraries stopped shelving print encyclopedias years ago. The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Library specifically lists encyclopedias on their "do not donate" list. Most libraries nationwide do the same.

Thrift stores like Goodwill, Savers, and Salvation Army reject encyclopedias because a 20-volume set occupies an entire shelf section and typically sits unsold for months. The shelf space generates more revenue holding paperback novels that turn over weekly.

Online buyback services like ThriftBooks, Better World Books, and Decluttr will not accept encyclopedias because the shipping cost for multi-volume sets exceeds any possible resale value.

That leaves you with exactly one question: where can I actually bring these?

I Accept Every Encyclopedia Set

At the New Mexico Literacy Project, I accept encyclopedia sets that everyone else rejects. Full sets, partial sets, individual volumes, water-damaged, dusty, musty — it does not matter. Here is what I do with them:

✓Collectible sets (pre-1900, Britannica 11th edition, fine bindings) go to my rare book evaluation pipeline through SellBooksABQ
✓Usable sets in good condition get donated forward to schools, community centers, homeschool families, and Little Free Libraries
✓Damaged or outdated sets get recycled as mixed paper — not landfilled

Two options for getting your encyclopedias to me:

Free Pickup

For encyclopedia sets and other heavy book collections anywhere in the Albuquerque metro area. I come to you, usually within the same week. No sorting, no boxing required.

Call 702-496-4214

24/7 Drop Box

Bring your encyclopedias anytime — day or night — to my outdoor drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A, Albuquerque. No appointment needed, any condition accepted.

Drop box details →

How to Check Your Encyclopedia's Value in 5 Minutes

Before you donate or dispose of your encyclopedias, take five minutes to check for these value indicators:

Step 1: Check the Publication Date

Look at the copyright page in Volume 1. If the date is before 1900, your set deserves professional evaluation. If it is between 1900 and 1920, check if it is the Britannica 11th edition. If it is after 1950, the set almost certainly has minimal monetary value.

Step 2: Check the Binding

Full leather bindings with gilt tooling, marbled endpapers, and raised spine bands suggest a higher-quality edition. Cloth or buckram bindings in later sets are the standard trade binding and do not add collectible value.

Step 3: Check for Plates and Maps

Flip through the volumes looking for fold-out maps, color plates, or full-page illustrations. Hand-colored plates in pre-1850 encyclopedias can be individually valuable to print dealers and framing shops.

Step 4: Check Completeness

Count the volumes and compare to the full set count (usually printed on the spine or title page). Complete sets are worth more than partial sets, though individual volumes with notable content can still have value.

Step 5: Text or Call Me a Photo

Send me a photo of the title page and spine. I can usually tell you within minutes whether your set has collectible potential. Text 702-496-4214 — no charge, no obligation.

Other Options for Old Encyclopedias

If you are outside the Albuquerque area or want to explore alternatives, here are your realistic options:

Creative Reuse

Crafters and artists use encyclopedia pages for decoupage, paper crafts, origami, and art journals. Individual volumes make good props, doorstops, and decorative elements. Some crafters on Etsy and at local art markets specifically seek encyclopedia volumes with interesting illustrations or typography.

Theater and Film Props

Local theater groups and film productions often need books for set dressing. In Albuquerque, contact community theaters like the Vortex, Adobe Theater, or Aux Dog Theatre — they may welcome a donation of decorative encyclopedia volumes for their prop department.

Paper Recycling

If your set has no collectible value and you cannot find a taker, recycle the pages as mixed paper. Remove leather or laminated covers first — those go in the trash. In Albuquerque, curbside recycling accepts encyclopedia pages, or bring them to me and I will handle it.

What NOT to Do

Do not throw encyclopedias in the landfill without checking their value and exploring recycling options first. A 20-volume encyclopedia set represents roughly 50 pounds of paper that can be recycled into new products. Do not assume they are worthless simply because they are old — pre-1900 sets and the Britannica 11th edition can surprise you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are old encyclopedias worth anything? ›

Most encyclopedia sets printed after 1950 have little monetary value. The exceptions are the Encyclopaedia Britannica 1st edition (1768–1771), the Britannica 11th edition (1910–1911), Diderot's Encyclopédie, and any pre-1850 set with hand-colored plates. Fine leather bindings with gilt tooling can also attract decorator interest. If you are unsure, text me a photo at 702-496-4214 for a free quick assessment.

Does anyone take old encyclopedias? ›

Most charities, libraries, and thrift stores reject encyclopedia donations. The New Mexico Literacy Project in Albuquerque accepts every encyclopedia set — any condition, any completeness, any age. I offer free pickup for heavy collections and a 24/7 outdoor drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE. Call or text 702-496-4214.

Can I recycle old encyclopedias? ›

Yes. Encyclopedia pages are recyclable as mixed paper. Remove leather, laminated, or plastic-coated covers first — those go in the trash. In Albuquerque, you can use curbside recycling or bring your encyclopedias to the New Mexico Literacy Project, where I sort them for reuse and recycle what cannot be donated forward.

Should I throw away old encyclopedias? ›

No — check for collectible value first (pre-1900 sets, Britannica 11th edition, fine leather bindings), then donate or recycle rather than landfill. A complete encyclopedia set is roughly 50 pounds of recyclable paper. In Albuquerque, the New Mexico Literacy Project accepts any set for free. Call or text 702-496-4214.

Will Goodwill take old encyclopedias? ›

Generally no. Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, and most thrift stores in Albuquerque decline encyclopedia donations because they take up significant shelf space and rarely sell. The public library also does not accept them. The New Mexico Literacy Project is one of the few organizations in Albuquerque that accepts encyclopedia sets regardless of condition or completeness.

Can I sell old encyclopedias on eBay? ›

You can list them, but most post-1950 sets sell poorly because shipping a 20-volume set is prohibitively expensive. Individual volumes with notable illustrations sometimes sell to crafters. Pre-1900 sets and the Britannica 11th edition are the exceptions that can attract genuine collector interest. For a quick assessment of your set's sellability, text me a photo at 702-496-4214.

How do I get rid of a heavy encyclopedia set? ›

In Albuquerque, the easiest option is free pickup from the New Mexico Literacy Project. I come to your home — no sorting, no boxing, no lifting on your part. Call or text 702-496-4214, and I can usually schedule within the same week. I also accept drop-offs 24/7 at my outdoor drop box at 5445 Edith Blvd NE, Unit A.

What encyclopedias are worth money? ›

The most valuable encyclopedias are the Encyclopaedia Britannica 1st edition (1768–1771), early editions of Diderot's Encyclopédie (1751–1772), the Britannica 11th edition (1910–1911), and any pre-1850 encyclopedia with hand-colored plates or maps. World Book, Funk & Wagnalls, Compton's, Collier's, and post-1960 Britannica sets typically have minimal monetary value.

What to Do With Old Encyclopedias