Volunteers gear up for the biggest book sale in the Princeton region

The annual Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Book Sale funds college scholarships
Volunteers were hard at work on Sunday unpacking and organizing thousands of books for the annual Bryn Mawr-Wellsley Book Sale.
Founded 91 years ago, the Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Book Sale is a nonprofit group that sells donated books to provide college scholarships for area students. This year the sale will be held at Stuart Country Day School March 22 through 26. Stuart Country Day School is located at 1200 Stuart Road.
“We have tens of thousands of books in excellent condition to choose from,” says Kathy Morris, president of the book sale. “Of note are the private collections of famed Princeton University historian James M. McPherson and best-selling author Richard Preston. Many of these are signed or have the author’s bookplate. We also will be selling an unusual collection of books about the Civil War, written from a Southern perspective.”
Buyers will find tens of thousands of top-quality used books sorted into 63 categories, plus special finds in the rare book room, called Collector’s Corner. Most hardbacks are $3, with higher-value books priced individually. Small paperbacks and children’s books start at $1. You can pay by cash, credit cards, and local checks (with ID).
The opening day attracts rare and secondhand book dealers from across the eastern seaboard and beyond, including buyers from as far away as Illinois, West Virginia, and Maine. They pay $30 per person to get first dibs on the most collectible volumes. All other days, admission is free.
Editor’s note: Donations of books for the annual sale will be accepted again in April. The book sale will have a new drop-off site located at 812 State Road.
2023 Bryn Mawr Wellsley Book Sale schedule
Wednesday, March 22 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $30. All other days, entrance is free.
Thursday, March 23 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri, March 24 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sat, March 25 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun, March 26 – Box Day ($5 or $10 per box depending on size) 10 a.m. to noon
The Collector’s Corner rare book room is closed on the final day.







Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.