what to do with 1960 Encyclopedia

[LCHIEN]

A 1962-ish Set of Encyclopedia Americana, complete and in very good shape.
Need to clear some space, hard to just toss it (I guess because they were expensive in 1960).

Is there any value in these things anymore - who would want it, I'm prepared to give it away.

Book collectors?

eBay shows completed listings about 33 unsold with no bids and about 2 sales.

Some web articles says They are Goodwill's don't accept list.

[LarryG]

eBay shows completed listings about 33 unsold with no bids and about 2 sales.

Some web articles says They are Goodwill's don't accept list.

Two strong clues right there, I reckon.

The problem with these relics of the pre-Internet era is that they had no reason to exist in the first place except as a purely-for-reference tool. With a more current and more expansive body of material as close as the nearest keyboard, today they're about as useful and as relevant as an 80386.

I'm both a pack-rat and a book junkie, and I'd turn them down even if you offered to ship them to me at your expense.

[Cochese]

It'd look nice on a classic bookcase. That's about all the help I can give, sorry.

I'd take them for nostalgia's sake, but wouldn't want to front the costs to get it here.

[sweensdv]

Take them to the nearest recycle center. Back in the day, every birth announcement posted in the paper was usually followed up a day or two later with a call from an encyclopedia salesman. With so many households in the country having a set, I doubt if they have any real value.

[pelligrini]

They might make good weights for a veneer press. The most use our Sweets Catalogs got was in the same manner.

[cabinetman]

I've got a Columbia Encyclopedia given to me in 1955 as a gift by a relative. It's about 4" thick and weighs about 11 LBS. It's interesting to see what's not in it. Not useful as a reference, but a sentimental keepsake. I have trouble throwing anything away.
.

[Sid]

You can cut the centers out of them to create hiding places for small valuables.

Sid

[bruce hylton]

You can cut the centers out of them to create hiding places for small valuables.

Sid

This is by far the best use of them. Bookshelf banks, gun safe, great gifts.

[capncarl]

I used 2 sets of encyclopedias to jack furniture up when our house flooded! Ran out of encyclopedias before I ran out of water though. So you could store them in case of flooding!

capncarl

[natausch]

I'm fairly confident Goodwill will accept them as a recycle item. They get paid by the pound to collect Computers, Metal, paper, nasty clothes, for recyclers.

[jussi]

1960's? Heck I have a 1980 set I can't give away. I'd like to send them to the Philippines but the shipping would be too expensive. Even by boat.

My only thought is to find some sort of organization that helps 3rd world countries and has access to transportation. I doubt anyone in the US would take them since pretty much everyone has access to the web.

[jking]

I'm fairly confident Goodwill will accept them as a recycle item. They get paid by the pound to collect Computers, Metal, paper, nasty clothes, for recyclers.

In my area, Goodwill is very picky about the condition of the items they accept. They will not accept stained or torn clothes. Here they only collect for resale at the thrift stores. Anything they cannot sell, they throw away. It's possible their policies vary regionally.

[sparkeyjames]

Do you have a fireplace?

[LCHIEN]

This is by far the best use of them. Bookshelf banks, gun safe, great gifts.

Now, that's an idea!

Anyone have recommendations on how to do this easily and neatly?
I'm thinking clamp the pages with the covers open and out of the way.
Then drill four holes about 1" Dia with an auger on the Drill press. Then with the pages still clamped use a handsaw with a thin blade to saw between the holes.

any one have a better suggestion?

[Uncle Cracker]

any one have a better suggestion?

A router and a dustpan?