Media Mail Questions

[klassic*kids]

Going through some old boxes of my father's today and came across a box of his childhoold books -- Little Golden Book's from the 1940's and 1950's.  They vary in condition but based on researching other listings and solds some of them can be rather profitable so I am going to list them.

I've heard of media mail but am unfamiliar with how that works.  And want to confirm these qualify as media mail, also what are the rates and how to set them up them for shipping them?  Looking for rules and specifics.  Anything you can help me with on this I'd greatly appreciate.

[*coins]

Yup, Golden Books could be sent Media Mail. Media Mail is for anything that's Media.

• Books (at least 8 pages).
• Sound recordings (ex, video recordings and DVDs).
• Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals and music.
• Printed music.
• Computer readable media containing pre-recorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media (ex, commercially available instruction videos/DVDs).
• Sixteen millimeter or narrow witdth films.
• Printed objective test materials and their accessories.
• Printed educational reference charts.
• Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctor, hospital, medical school or student.

I have been surprised at what the Golden Books bring, especially the old, original ones. BTW, at the back of the book (last page), there should be a letter (A-Z). The closer the letter is to A, the more colelctible and hard to find it is. Good luck, @klassic*kids!

[siayan]

If you look on the last page, bottom right corner, sometimes under the spine will be a letter. That is the edition.

[partial*eclipse]

Yes, your books are eligible for MM shipping. It's a slow, low-priority ground service so it's usually used only for heavy packages.  Offer Priority Mail shipping as your second option.  For packages up to 16 ounces you can ship via First Class.

Media Mail prices are base only on weight; not Zone. It's $2.63 for the first pound and 49 cents per additional pound (i.e., $3.12 for 2 pounds, $3.61 for 3 pounds, etc.).

[klassic*kids]

Thanks for all the information -- quite helpful.

Would you pack these in a box with bubble wrapping?

I will look for the letter on the last page for edition.

Thanks again!

[klassic*kids]

Thank you.  Very helpful.  I will offer both options for shipping.

[evry1nositswindy]

Another option if the book is quite valuable would be the priority flat rate envelope if your weight is over 16 ounces.  If not, first class is your best bet.  My Mom collects LGB, so I will have to check them out!

[*coins]

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@klassic*kids wrote:

Thanks for all the information -- quite helpful.

Would you pack these in a box with bubble wrapping?

I will look for the letter on the last page for edition.

Thanks again!

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@klassic*kids

I would just ship it in a bubble envelope. I've shipped a lot of Media Mail books like that and never had a problem.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Media Mail is domestic U.S. only and is 4th class mail.  Usual delivery time is 4 to 8 days but delays can happen because of high volume for more important classes of mail.

At the moment, First Class Mail and First Class Package Service are actually cheaper (and much faster!) if you are mailing only 1 or 2 books at a time.  For a couple of small books, a bubble mailer is fine.  If you are mailing in quantity, consider using a Priority Mail Regional A box -- pay for 2 lbs. but stuff it with quite a few of these little books!

Always protect books from moisture and scuffing.  I use open-end poly sleeves and generally buffer the books with white tissue paper to protect edges and spines and prevent scratches and fingerprints.  Keep tape and bubble wrap away from the books -- you don't want sticky substances or pressure indents!

~~C~~

~~C~~

[mam98031]

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@klassic*kids wrote:

Thanks for all the information -- quite helpful.

Would you pack these in a box with bubble wrapping?

I will look for the letter on the last page for edition.

Thanks again!

---

You will want to package them carefully.  Media mail gets bounced around a lot.  I once got a package that actually had tire tracks on it.  I'm not kidding!!

I but mine in a plastic sleeve or bag first, then I wrap them up to protect them.  I make sure that the outer package has the corners and sides well tape.  The heavier the package the more sturdy you want it to be.

I keep my grocery bags for wrapping books up in.  It has served me well for years.

If you ship in an envelope, make sure it can't be bent.  If you sell some one at a time, First Class Parcel will sometimes be cheaper than media mail and more reliable, certainly quicker.

[klassic*kids]

Thank you and thank you mam also!  I have a better understanding how to prepare these books for shipping now.