Q: I have a copy of the Akron Beacon Journal from Nov. 23, 1963, the day after President Kennedy was assassinated. How can I find its value?
— Donna Box
No city provided
A: Timothy Hughes, who deals in collectible newspapers and runs the website www.rarenewspapers.com, said newspapers reporting Kennedy’s death were the most widely saved papers of the 20th century. Since scarcity is one of the factors that determine a newspaper’s value, most Kennedy newspapers aren’t all that valuable, he said.
An old paper’s value also depends on its completeness and condition, the dramatic effect of the headline and where the newspaper was published, Hughes said. A newspaper that contains all the sections (except advertising inserts) is more desirable to collectors than incomplete issues. A paper in near mint condition is prized, and so is one with a big, dramatic headline.
Hughes said collectors also prefer newspapers from the city where an event happened — in this case, Dallas.
Date is important, too, he said. A paper that reported the assassination on Nov. 22 is more valuable than one from Nov. 23.
Hughes said an average newspaper with a normal headline might sell on eBay for $20, if it was in good condition and contained all the sections.
The prices on his site tend to be higher, because it caters to collectors, he said.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.