When I was a kid, my Granddaddy had an Encyclopedia Britannica. My Father had a cheap off brand one called the New Standard Encyclopedia. It wasn’t that bad but no where near Britannica. I always wanted one but they were just too expensive.
Recently I bought two complete ones dating from the 90’s and another one from the 60’s for less than $30. People basically just wanting to get rid of them. I still find it easier looking things up in them than the internet.
If you go to the next local book sale, likely you can find a set of encyclopedia that can be had for free.
http://www.booksalefinder.com/
My parents bought a New Standard for me in about 1960; it was published in 1945. Used it a few times. We continued purchasing the annual updates for about 40 years.
In 1966 my mom started buying the Funk and Wagnals in the grocery store. One volume a week. Took the set to recyling a few weeks ago. Still subscribe to the annual update (starting in 1962)
“Recently I bought two complete ones dating from the 90’s and another one from the 60’s for less than $30.”
Hey, I think you got ripped off :)
A few years ago charity book sales here were having to heave set after set into the dumpster after their sales was over. Since then they won’t accept them. Neither will used book stores or nonprofit thrift shops.
When I was a kid, my Granddaddy had an Encyclopedia Britannica. My Father had a cheap off brand one called the New Standard Encyclopedia. It wasn’t that bad but no where near Britannica. I always wanted one but they were just too expensive.
A similar story is true for me, except my Father bought a set called "The New Book of Knowledge". Compared with the Encyclopedia Britannica, it was truly poor. It provided the superficial basics on popular subjects, but that was about it. For any serious studying I had to go to the library to access their Britannica set, which was fine because it got me out of the house for a few hours ;-)
Recently I bought two complete ones dating from the 90’s and another one from the 60’s for less than $30. People basically just wanting to get rid of them. I still find it easier looking things up in them than the internet.
Microsoft discontinued their Encarta Encyclopedia DVD's a few years ago and only has an online subscription service available now for their Encyclopedia. Britannica still has it all....the deadtree, the DVD and the online subscription so they have definitely stood the test of time.
I agree....in some cases it is a lot more convenient to look things up in a printed book than via the internet.