Encyclopedia Britannica’s announcement that this year’s run of books will be its last has jolted demand back to life, helping the company sell all but 800 of its 4,000-set run.

A company spokesman explains the hotcakes-like sales to USA Today as a sign that some see the final edition of Britannica’s encyclopedias as keepsakes and possible investment opportunities:

“When people thought they were going to be around forever there was no rush to buy one and then suddenly, boom, and now there is a scarcity and it’s a collector’s item.”

The company is moving to an online-only model, ending its 244 years in print. And children will henceforth follow the adventures of plucky know-it-all Wikipedia Brown as he solves neighborhood crimes in young adult e-books.

Britannica’s halt of print edition triggers sales [USA Today]

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