Are Joke Books a Good Investment?
We all know that they are funny, entertaining and make great gifts, but are joke books a good investment, also? Well, as you can see from the information below, that all depends on a number of factors, but it also depends what you consider a good investment. It would seem that the easy answer is, “Are they worth more at some point in the future?” But that may not be the best answer.
A truly good investment would be one that provides multiple values. For example, a vacation property could provide decades of family fun and memories; then if the family sells it for a hefty profit. That means the property had multiple values. So, let’s apply that to joke books. If you buy a joke book, enjoy the hilarious humor found within, then sell it for more than the original purchase price, that is a multiple value.
Do Joke Books Go Up in Value Upon Resale?
Take a look at the Christmas joke book on the right. It originally sells for $6.99 on Amazon. (Kindle version sells for $3.99) Yet the same used Christmas joke book on AbeBooks can sell for over $25. So that indicates that numerous people have made a hefty profit by buying this joke book, getting a good laugh out of it, then selling it for more, as a used book. By any definition, that is a good investment. So let’s take a look at why a joke book might go up in value.
Joke books, like any other type of book, can increase in value for several reasons. One factor is the rarity of the edition or the author’s signature, which can make a particular copy more desirable to collectors. Another reason might be the cultural significance of the jokes or the author’s impact on the comedy genre. Additionally, if a joke book becomes a classic or is associated with a famous comedian, it could gain value over time due to its historical and entertainment value. Keep in mind that trends in humor and comedy preferences can also play a role in the value of joke books.
From what we can see on the used book market, Ralph Lane joke books appear to be a good investment and have the ability to go up in value over time. Some other joke book authors who have gone up in value include Bennett Cerf and Richard Lederer. So you may want to consider getting a fun joke book, enjoying it thoroughly and trying to sell it at a profit. What do you have to lose… except some milk out your nose or the contents of your bladder? Below, you may find some fun joke books for your investment portfolio.
