Worth repairing?

A friend has a couple of 1930s childrens books; the spines are in bad condition and she's wondering if they're worth repairing. Does anyone know where I can find out?

Check prevailing prices at abebooks.com

Define "worth repairing". Is she looking to sell the books? If so, she'll want to find out what they are worth and compare that to the cost of a spine repair. Or are they of sentimental value? She might be willing to pay more in that case.

Spine repairs are pretty simple, and won't be as expensive as a full rebinding.

I think she was going to toss them in the bin if they're not worth anything. But there are copies listed on abebooks for well over $1000 each.

Thanks.

may be i think backwards from most collectors inasmuch when i ask myself "should i repair this?" I am thinking of the joy it will bring to me to see it daily repaired, not so much how much it will bring. example: i have a full 1897 first edition 10-volume set of John Stoddard's lectures in quarter leather, near fine except for two of them have the leather spine disintegrated badly enough the spine must be replaced (not repaired). this means gold tooling et al. in repaired condition, they will go for 2,000$ TOPS, but thery will certainly look good minkoil waxed and showing in my living room bookcase. Again, I have a very good first of stryon's lie down in darkness with the DJ complete but in severalparts. should i repair the DJ to sell it, because i really do not like the book that much to keep it. i think so, as consistently the DJ has added from 200 to 300 percent of the selling price. Now comes the big question (for me): If it is repaired in such a manner it looks flawless, should i bring to the customer's attention it has been repaired when i might be doing him a favor in simply ignoring that information. i think not. i think i shall haver to tell him. i ask myself: would i like to be told? and the answer is yes. I would still buy it.

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Any repairs really should be disclosed as they affect the book's value. Your Styron is worth more with a dust jacket in original condition than with a repaired jacket.