Rare book collecting tips

This short guide gives basic tips for starting your book collection. If you dig deeper, you might end up collecting books about collecting books. If cared for properly, rare books can provide their owners with a beautiful collection that will continue to grow in value as time goes. Collecting rare books is at once a hobby, a passion, and an art form. We have created this series of web pages as a basic guide to starting a collection and understanding the terminology of booksellers.

Book collecting tips, book grading, book terminology, book. To use harvards special collections and archives you need to complete a registration. A book becomes rare when its both hard to find and highly sought. Whether youre an experienced book collector, or new to collecting books, biblio is your source for not just uncommonly good books but also a wealth of information about collecting antiquarian and rare books, too. Avoid storing in slipcases, which are containers that slide onto the book and do not cover the spine. Also, how would you go about getting a mentor in this field of study. Here are eight coin collecting tips that will make it enjoyable and profitable. With a few, simple steps anyone can search for these old books successfully. The chances of finding a price for a comparable rare book, association copy, or manuscript in the auction records would be greater than finding it on line at any given time, but the prices for the same title in the auction records will vary greatly, which may reflect the condition of each book, or, more probably, who bid that day. However, some universal truths are present in the book collecting world. If youve ever thought about collecting first editions, but didnt know where to start, this post is for you. Collecting rare books has been a hobby since the 16th century, when wealthy buyers sought out unique examples of illustrated manuscripts and ancient works. Popular culture has created an image of book collectors as older, wealthy men who attend glitzy auctions and have beautiful libraries.

A rare book can lose a significant amount of value if its missing even a single page of text. Lot 473, matilda, the twits, and the bfg by roald dahl, forum auctions september 2016. They can be educational for children, they can be great investment opportunities and they can be pure entertainment. If you have a very old book, you might be hoping you can sell it and make some money. The reverse is also true a book in poor condition is very difficult to sell. The international league of antiquarian booksellers resources including library of articles, glossary of terms in several languages. How to start collecting comic books sparkle city comics. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting, from what to. Jonathan smalter, owner of yesterdays muse books in webster, new york, offers some sound advice on collecting rare and antique books. They can lead to damage when taking the book in and out. If you need a little help deciding what kinds of books to collect here are some suggestions. A good guide to book collecting and the terminology used is the abc for book collectors by john carter and nicolas barker. Here are a few tips for determining the fair market value for various books as. The name for the splotches, spots, and specks you often see on older books.

As you find nicer copies of books in your collection, sell the lesser versions. Exposure to high humidity and high temperatures causes mold. Get started building your collection with these helpful resources. Sadly, even more commonly, we hear from customers who have inadvertently stored their books improperly, eroding the value of their beloved book collection. The corollary misunderstanding is that very recent books cannot be worth a. Take the time to read the introductory chapters of this book and gain an education before you jump into the pricing information that it is also known for. And without the underlying treasurehunting archetype, and its attendant excitement, rare book dealing and collecting will wither as a form of life. Learn what constitutes as a rare work, how to determine its value, and find helpful tips for the proper cleaning and storage of antique books.

A firstedition copy with no damages is much more valuable than a firstedition copy with missing pages and broken binding. So what should you do when you have a book that needs repairs. We routinely hear from customers who want to know the best way to store collectible books. Books signed by the author are considered collectible, as are rare books. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book. Here are a few tips for determining the fair market value for. Vintage, rare and antiquarian books can often be found at very low prices.

These basic precautions should be taken with any book to ensure a long life. Here are a few tips for determining the fair market value for various books as well as caring for your newest treasures. Bookseller recommended companies who provide book care supplies include brodart and demco. Katrich, talks about collecting books, and he shows interesting examples. Truly, the opportunities and avenues to starting a rare book collection and building it. Bob wilson, in his book modern book collecting, deals with the question when he comments on book collecting in general.

Jan 21, 20 if youve been collecting for a little while and find that you really enjoy the hobby, consider taking a course at one of the rare books schools located in virginia, california and london. These are tips that every book owner should follow even if they do not consider themselves a collector. For novices, the prime sources of information about rare books are the dealers and auctioneers. Factors such as moisture and humidity and the storage of your collection can have a significant impact on how well your books retain their value. Find helpful information on book collecting, book terms, book grading, book abbreviations, tips on book collecting, book sizes, how to identify first editions, new books, used books, rare books, outofprint books, books for sale. Information the novice and professional can use in book collecting, investing, dealing, pricing, grading, terms and descriptions used. A champion of the physical book, richard davies from offers advice to anyone thinking about collecting rare books it might just be me, but i believe far fewer physical books. Even the fact that a book sells for a certain amount does not necessarily mean another copy will also sell for the same amount. A first edition book may be rare and expensive, or as common as air. Jul 15, 20 i am completely new to the world of rare book collecting. Maybe youve seen shows like pawn stars or american pickers, where people cash in their antiques for piles of money.

Sell the books no longer relevant to your collection. Use harvard librarys special collections and archives. So you want to start a book collection but not sure where to start. Rare books, learn how to find, buy, and collect them. A first edition of to kill a mockingbird may be half the price in a wrecked dust jacket, but its still a wrecked dust jacket in a world where condition matters. Also make sure that you have a safe place to store your books. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting, from what to collect to caring for your book collection. Learn tips for cataloging your book collection in this free book collecting video from a longtime bookstore buyer. Apr 16, 2008 which books are treasures and which are trash.

If the book is rare, it will of course have some value whatever its condition, but only a fraction of what it would be worth if it were a fine to mint copy. But with such a passionate following, it may be intimidating to start collecting comic books from scratch, especially if you arent very familiar with comic books to begin with. A new chapter for rare book collecting books the guardian. Another definition of rare states that a rare book is one that a dealer will see only once in his or her entire career. Check and clean your books regularly, as dust can quickly accumulate on books. With so much book shopping and book collecting taking place on the internet these days, it might be difficult to imagine why travel can be an important part of building a rare or antiquarian book collection. I have discussed the definition of rare as well as several related ebay topics at length in my blog. A great many people over a great number of decades, have written pamphlets, whole books even, to justify the collecting of books. Decide what types of condition and completeness are within your price range, and pick the very best available. Caring for rare books rare books collections national. Moshe prigan on collecting rare books and first editions, may be found here. Why travel can be an important part of book collecting. Become a bibliophile with our 10 useful tips on collecting rare books, first editions and manuscripts nothing brings us pleasure quite like a good book, and there is certainly plenty of enjoyment to be had as a rare book collector. Compared to computer files, books can be collected as physical objects, to be.

Home collector tips how to start a book collection. Infography about book collecting a book collectors choice of the best books, articles, and online resources. A rare book fair is a trade show of sorts where booksellers from a specific region, country, or from across the globe gather, bringing their best and most interesting books to sell. Large books taller than 18 inches andor wider than 3 inches should lie flat. If the supply side or the demand side isnt extreme, it doesnt qualify. Harvard librarys special collections and archives are open to all.

There are a number of factors that constitute a truly rare and valuable book, which include scarcity, condition, association, and age. People collect coins for many reasons, including historic or artistic value, or to invest in coins for potential longterm profit. While all copies of the first edition fulfill the second criterion of rarity substantive importance, this copy also fulfills the. If a person has just decided to collect nancy drew books and has no idea which books are more collectible and how. The process is filled with nuances, and there are perhaps as many ways to go about forming a collection as there are collectors. Condition is one of the most important considerations in book collecting, so buy at the best condition possible within your budget. The process is filled with nuances, and there are perhaps as many ways to. Collecting tips comic archives collection connections.

In centuries past, a book buyer purchased a book bound in heavy boards. With a handy dictionary of terms used in auction and dealer. Since collecting is a totally optional pursuit, a hobby, it should be governed solely by what gives you pleasure. If you collect illustrated childrens books, focus on a particular authorillustrator. The key variables to value are age, condition, rarity and association. Peter harrington, rare book seller in london gives tips on book collecting to beginners. Rare books especially old, rare books deserve and require special care. Sep 12, 2014 if youd like some help getting started, seek the advice of a rare book dealer. Coin collecting is the ideal hobby for those who enjoy studying coins, assembling sets of coins, and searching for rare or unusual coins. Some people are casual enthusiasts, collecting foreign coins from trips or coins found by chance, such as a w quarter. Jan 25, 20 a champion of the physical book, richard davies from offers advice to anyone thinking about collecting rare books it might just be me, but i believe far fewer physical books are.

It has, certainly, begun to change in radical ways. These book collecting tips are simple techniques to improve your collection. Tips and information in the area of antique and collectable books, books for sale and general information. First edition is one of the most misunderstood phrases in book collecting.

For more on book collecting see our other blog posts. Coin collectors have many different avenues for embarking on the hobby, including building a collection from the coins they find in their pocket change or at the bank, buying coins from coin dealers and at auctions, and searching for coins through metal. Choose your subject, set your budget, and have fun. Other people think they have found a rare and valuable coin and are looking to get rich quick. Some libraries offer registration onsite and others require you to register at the privileges office for a special collection. How to start collecting rare books as a rare book seller i regularly meet people who love old books but arent sure that book collecting is the right hobby for them. Denis loring on collecting copper coins mobile phone users stream this podcast for free by downloading the podomatic app or subscribe to the coinweek podcast on itunes. Learn how to find rare books in this free book collecting video from a longtime bookstore buyer.

A great book for the beginner as well as the seasoned collector is the guide book of united states coins, also known as the red book. Sep 04, 2015 collecting rare books is at once a hobby, a passion, and an art form. Humidity is okay, as long as the temperature is less than 72 degrees, and preferably under 70. Here are 5 tips from me on how to begin collecting. To get started, decide how much space you have for your. Popular culture has created an image of book collectors as older, wealthy men who attend glitzy auctions and have beautiful libra. These are the leatherbound and illustrated books where the making. I am completely new to the world of rare book collecting. Whether youve been collecting rare books for decades or are just beginning to be interested now, youve probably wondered about some or all of these questions at one point or another. This is not true and it is among the first surprises for new collectors.

If you dont want to break the bank on your book collection, heed these tips. You can edit your menu content on the menus screen in the appearance section. You can look for collectible books at library book sales, rare book fairs, auctions, antiquarian book stores, online, or in your grandmothers attic. The first and foremost rule of collecting is to collect what you like. The truly rare or unique item, if demand is high, can be priced as high as one wants, but we still have to find a buyer in order to legitimize the price. Especially be careful of books shelved to face south windows north if youre down under. When youre out shopping at your favorite market or antique store, participate in the long, illustrious tradition of book collecting. How to start collecting rare books alembic rare books. Because of the variety of books, it is easily possible to start a small collection for a few pounds or, at the other extreme, to spend millions on acquiring very rare and fine books.

Modern book collecting offers advice that answers all the basic questions a book lover and collector might havewhat to collect and where to find it, how to tell a first edition from a reprint, how to build an author collection, how to get the best price from dealers, how to understand the prices and rarity of books, and more. Its generally better to have a small collection of superior quality books than a large collection of lower quality. It is a common misunderstanding that scarce, rare, or old books are necessarily worth a lot of money. Buying and selling rare books rare book collections. A book is not rare when it is up for sale on ebay all the time. There is never a wrong time to think about how best to care for your rare books. There are a variety of places where you can purchase books for your collection, and a number of things that you should always be cognisant when buying a rare book. So to help answer any that are unresolved, heres a look at some of the issues most frequently asked about in terms of collecting rare books. Although this hobby may at first seem an expensive one and beyond your financial reach, you can actually purchase some rare books without a big investment. The idea of completing a collection is kind of cool, if slightly harrowing the instant a new book comes out. Tips and information in the area of antique and collectable books, and general information on this area of interest. They are easily found online through the antiquarian booksellers association of america, many of whom would welcome the opportunity to help a new collector start navigating these murky waters.

If rare and antique book collecting has always intrigued you, jonathan smalter, owner of yesterdays muse books in webster, new york, offers some sound advice on the topic. In addition to operating an independent used and rare bookstore for 10 years, he belongs to the antiquarian booksellers association of america, and has served as vice. I am trying to educate buyers on making better decisions. Do everything possible to keep books out of direct sunlight, which will not only fade the jacket, spine and boards, but will also cause them to deteriorate over time. Yet rare books are a great example of getting what you pay for. The book collectors magazine resource for book collecting, first editions, rare, antiquarian books. I am wondering if there is one or two particular books that you would recommend as first reads into the world of collecting and studying rare books. The same goes for a set of books that happens to be missing one or two volumes. Smalter said that collectors store books in an area that doesnt experience big swings in temperature, so attics and basements are not used. Pick your favorite author, and collect each of her books as close to. Of course, you can just pick up titles that catch your eye or have beautiful covers, but if you want to start a libraryworthy collection of your own, check out these tips. With notable exceptions, all are in what i would consider pretty good condition.