Where to Sell Old Magazines and Newspapers + What They’re Worth

There are several stores that buy and sell old magazines, as well as private collectors who are sometimes willing to pay for rare magazines or newspapers. While some purchasers prefer to buy in bulk, you may also be able to sell individual magazines, particularly if they are rare.

Below we’ve compiled a list of places that buy newspapers and magazines, along with some details on how to determine how much your collection is worth. For more on selling used items, see our research on where to donate, sell, or recycle old textbooks and where to sell used clothing in bulk.

Are Old Magazines and Newspapers Valuable?

The amount of cash you can expect to receive for an old magazine or newspaper varies greatly. It’s true that some old magazines and newspapers can have high monetary value, but popular magazine collections like National Geographic and Sports Illustrated can be difficult to find a purchaser for because these are fairly easy to come by. Some places do prefer to buy collections rather than individual magazines, so if you’ve got a set of a common title, it could still be worth inquiring about a sale.

Magazines and newspapers are more likely to sell if they are rare. For example, if there was a special edition of a magazine and a limited number of copies were printed, then that would add value. Value is also added if the magazine or newspaper features a major news story or historic event such as 9/11, the John F. Kennedy assassination, the moon landing, or Nixon’s resignation. Value may also be added if the magazine or newspaper features a well-known celebrity, particularly if they are no longer living.

An important factor in how much value your old magazines or newspapers may have is their condition; the better the condition, the higher the potential selling price. So if your magazines and newspapers have missing pages, rips or tears, or markings on the pages, then the likelihood that you can get cash for them decreases.

What We Recommend

We’ve put Neatstuff Collectibles at the top of the list for its convenient selling practices and wide range of items it buys. Neatstuff Collectibles also offers cash on the spot for any items purchased.

The List

Below, we’ve compiled the list of places that buy old magazines and newspapers, beginning with the best options. Keep in mind, though, that there is no guarantee that these places will buy your items. It’s also a good idea to ask your local used bookstores if they buy old magazines and newspapers as that can be a convenient option.

In comparing these places, we considered convenience of selling, range of items they buy, and how much they pay for items sold (this will, of course, vary widely depending on what you’re selling).

Neatstuff Collectibles, LLC.

• Types of periodicals bought: Magazines and pulps (vintage magazines printed on pulp paper), comics
• Payment method: Cash
• Selling process: Typically, a buyer will travel to you to appraise and purchase your stuff (appraisals are free).
• Find out more

Back to the Past Pop Culture Collectibles

Note: Back to the Past is based in Michigan, but it does have a professional buyer who travels for large collections.

• Types of periodicals bought: Vintage magazines including vintage men’s magazines, vintage newspapers, comic books, posters
• Payment method: Cash or store credit
• Selling process: For larger collections, a buyer will come to you. Smaller items may be shipped or brought into the store.
• Find out more

eBay

• Types of periodicals bought: Vintage magazines and newspapers
• Payment method: The seller (yourself) will specify the payment methods you are willing to accept. Most eBay transactions are processed via PayPal.
• Selling process: You list the items on eBay’s site and ship them to buyers; you are responsible for paying for shipping, though eBay does offer discounted shipping rates.
• Find out more

Mr-Magazine/Leone’s Collectibles

• Types of periodicals bought: A variety of vintage magazines
• Payment method: Cash
• Selling process: The process varies depending on the items and cost of shipping; for larger collections, a buyer will come to you.
• Find out more

Sell Me Your Collectibles

• Types of periodicals bought: Magazines in good condition, specifically Playboys before 1966 and collections of Time and Life.
• Payment method: Cash
• Selling process: You ship the items yourself and generally split shipping costs.
• Find out more

VintageMagazines.com

• Types of periodicals bought: A variety but preferably older, uncommon non-fiction magazines from before 1970. Magazines must be complete, meaning no missing pages or clippings.
• Payment method: Paypal or check once your box of magazines has arrived safely
• Selling process: You ship the items yourself and receive payment in the form of Paypal or a check once your items have arrived safely. VintageMagazines.com will pay for shipping.
• Find out more