James bucki has over 40 years of coin collecting experience, receiving specialized training in coin grading, minting errors, and collecting techniques. If you prefer to try to price your collection on your own, a number of notable books will give you an idea about the worth or value of your book collection. The value of your book depends on many things, so a professional appraisal is important whether you are planning to sell the book or to continue. 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. For years, i collected many inexpensive first editions that are not worth much today. Popular life values books meet your next favorite book. Humidity, with its cohorts heat and fungi, promotes mold and its dangers to books and people. The saturday big tent wedding party by alexander mccall smith, tuesdays with morrie by mitch albom. Before you open the book, make sure your hands are cleanregular soap and water will do the trick nicely just make sure theyre dry after washing. Care, handling and storage of books collections care.
Before you can begin to assess the possible books values, you need to first understand the difference between the common reader and a book collector. Age and condition can certainly play a part in a books value, but a book is only worth as much as someone else is willing to. If the book is on a shelf, pull the book out from its middle instead of reaching for the top of the book s spine, which in the case of older books is often fragile. A new chapter for rare book collecting books the guardian. Caring for rare books rare books collections national. A rare book can sell for a substantial amount of money but few novice collators know how to tell the difference between a nice old book and a valuable one.
Rare books especially old, rare books deserve and require special care. Mildew is an alltoocommon affliction that plagues books and erodes their collectibility, value and preservation. Since most little golden books were opened and enjoyed by readers, uncirculated books must be in pristine, mint condition and are considered rare and valuable. When determining the value of a vintage book, there are several key factors that dealers and specialists consider. Well known to book collectors and booklovers, our site is an excellent resource for discovering a rough value of an old book. The library of congressof all people has useful stuff to say about preserving books. How to clean and preserve paperback books used books and. Book collecting blog posts on the state of the childrens book hobby and other general book collecting related information. Sections on book collecting, publishers methods for firstedition identification. A beatenup old book that is falling apart will have little value.
Books prefer a temperate climate and abhor extremes. Rejointed means the book has been repaired preserving the original covers, including the spine. Most hard cover books published since the early 20th century were sold with a dust jacket. In real estate, it may be location, location, location. Many great books have been dedicated to the topic of rare books and book collecting, and we have used a number of them to sources for the rare book school itself.
I know a lot of parents that would like their kids to read but have a hard time finding a book that shares their values. Preservation and handling appraisals do it yourself donations to. Fortunately for new rare book collectors and seasoned collectors alike, preserving and caring for rare, old books doesnt require obscure materials, extensive upkeep, or a large investment. Bibliophiles, bibliomanes, and the eternal passion for books by nicholas basbanes. Where can i go for more information on old and rare books, book collecting, and evaluating books. Would i be able to zero in on books that would skyrocket in value shortly after their publication.
John mason invented and patented the process for cutting a thread onto the lip of glass. The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read. Historical, thematic, or author primacy can distinguish a common older edition from a truly rare book. Books value how to collect books that will appreciate in value. If the book is on a shelf, pull the book out from its middle instead of. During the 1990s trophy room books was selected to chair the prestigious seminar on collecting sponsored by safari club international. A book that has significant damage is likely not worth much. The dust jacket is both the most decorative part of a book, and the most delicate. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting, from what to collect to caring for your book collection.
Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books bibliophilia, it has a major. Jun 27, 2017 book collecting is not unlike creating a well curated reading list, only with actual books instead of simply a list of suggestions. If the book is on a shelf, pull the book out from its middle instead of reaching for the top of the books spine, which in the case of older books is often fragile. If you own or inherit a set of old books, whether its a valuable historical collection or just a set. Jul 15, 20 millions of books have been published over hundreds of years. The process is filled with nuances, and there are perhaps as many ways to go about forming a collection as there are collectors. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. Before you open the book, make sure your hands are cleanregular soap and water. Posted on august 11, 2011 inbook collecting, book condition. Book repair do not attempt to repair books that are unique or that you wish to pass on to future generations. Learn what constitutes as a rare book, factors that determine its value, and. Aug 28, 2015 as noted by the library of congress, proper handling is one of the keys to preserving old books. Condition is very important and will greatly influence value.
Outofprint book search services companies offering to look for. Mar 28, 2012 a new chapter for rare book collecting. Warren, whose price guide books have been the authority on collectibles values since 1985. Notes on collecting and preserving naturalhistory objects. Book awards book club selections books by author books by series coming soon kids books new releases teens. Book values determining how much a used or rare book might be worth. Instantly recognizable by avid vintagelovers, the nov. Mason wasnt the only manufacturer to add this patent date to his jars, hence its vast proliferation. Predicting the value of collectible books fiction prediction. Having clean hands and a clean area to use the book. Book collecting is not unlike creating a well curated reading list, only with actual books instead of simply a list of suggestions. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition. Childrens book values blog posts on the most valuable first edition. Richard davies has worked for since 2005, and manages merchandising and pr.
Proper handling and storage is key to preserving old books. Fortunately for new rare book collectors and seasoned collectors alike, preserving and caring for rare. Caring for rare books rare books collections national library of. Whether the older books on your shelves consist of rare first editions or. Many people like collecting older books from flea markets and antique shops but it can be hard to tell which books in your collection really have value. Taking care when handling any collection item, especially functional items like books with flexing parts, is one of the more effective, costefficient, and easily achieved preservation measures. Serious collectors know not to let their rare books come into contact with just any old paper, as paper can contain harmful chemicals and acids. If cared for properly, rare books can provide their owners with a beautiful collection that will continue to grow in value as time goes. A mans bookshelf is a map of his mind and memories. Try to identify a storage location that maintains a relatively steady temperature of around 65 degrees and humidity around 40%. The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read, admire, and collect books is called a bibliophile. Book collecting blog posts on the state of the childrens book hobby and other general book collecting related.
Sections on book collecting, publishers methods for firstedition identification, comprehensive bibliography of bibliographies, and more. He has some great stuff to say about books and book collecting. Collected books the guide to identification and values. Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved. May, 2019 the value of your book depends on many things, so a professional appraisal is important whether you are planning to sell the book or to continue collecting books of the same type. Immediately isolate any moldafflicted book, sealing it in plastic. James bucki has over 40 years of coin collecting experience, receiving specialized training in coin grading. Increase the surface area of the book that is exposed to air stand hardcover books slightly open to allow pages to fan out for several days. If cared for properly, rare books can provide their owners with a beautiful collection that will continue to grow in value as time goes on. What is meant by a books condition, and how does that affect a books value. Few things can be more personal and cherished than a book. The honest truth is most people who buy this book could much more easily find values by comparing prices on the internet, because the books they have are probably not as rare. Simply box a damaged book, store it flat, and handle the volume very carefully.
It is very important to remember that, if the conditions are right, dust can be a food source for mould and mildew, leading to an infestation which can weaken and irreversibly stain books and paper. Check and clean your books regularly, as dust can quickly accumulate on books. Thomas and described by his customers on the occasion of his seventieth birthday. Seuss books, and several other key books, including madeline, the little engine that could, and millions of cats first edition identification. For more on book collecting, visit abebookss online guide to book collecting. The honest truth is most people who buy this book could much more easily find values by comparing prices on the internet, because the books they have are probably not as rare as they think. Heres how to take care of them many collectors go mistyeyed at the thought of dust on a page and rare book collecting can take this passion to a new level.
Books from your childhood, books about space, your favourite fiction series, books published by a. You can collect any kind of books but make sure that you collect books that you love. In the back of collected books there is a selected bibliography of reference works. Maadam person whom i take to be a real live human, but one never knows is evidently a scholar of the first stripe. Tthe searchable database consists of detailed reports in an evergrowing database of items in this category. A guide to book conditions the hobbit first edition by j. Sep 04, 2015 collecting rare books is at once a hobby, a passion, and an art form. May 11, 2004 i recommend this book as the best one on the market right now for true beginners to either book collecting or book selling. Do detective work before selling your hardy boy books the. You will find that the entire adventure of collecting can be much more enjoyable if you focus on what matters to you. Well pull just one of these to the fore because its a perfect introduction to book collecting.
Aug 11, 2011 guide to preserving your rare book collection posted on august 11, 2011 inbook collecting, book condition source. I recommend this book as the best one on the market right now for true beginners to either book collecting or book selling. Preserving the value of your books means preserving their condition. Dec 20, 2017 book repair do not attempt to repair books that are unique or that you wish to pass on to future generations. Notes on collecting and preserving naturalhistory objects by. Store old books or any book you want to pay extra attention to out of direct sunlight. Ok, that said, lets learn how we can keep your book collection from ruin when you need to put it in storage for a period of time. If you really need a documented estimate of a books value for probate or insurance purposes then visit your local rare bookshop and pay for a formal appraisal. Some books, especially older paperbacks, can simply dry out and fall apart. Our long time leadership in the field of collecting both out of print and new big game hunting books. With millions of books listed online, the internet has become the first place to go for identifying and pricing scarce and rare first editions.
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. However, some universal truths are present in the book collecting world. Books value how to collect books that will appreciate in. Young adult books that kids with values can read 399 books. Book condition determining and describing the condition of a used or rare book. In 2007, i wondered how i might predict which books would be the most valuable. Tolkien when considering the purchase of a book for your collection, the condition and, if applicable, the dust jacket are the most important factors affecting the value. Young adult books that kids with values can read i wanted to create a young adult literature list that has books that dont have sex scenes, violence, and very little if any swearing. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books bibliophilia, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s. Book collecting is the collecting of books, including seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever books are of interest to a given collector. The childrens picturebook price guide includes a list of first edition identifying points for individual caldecott medal books, dr. This is because collectors and museums are willing to pay more for a work that can be authenticated as a first edition. Care and preservation of the collection how and when to clean books leather books.
If you are storing the books in wooden shelves, make sure the. It is frank, unsnobbish, and it is very realistic about the changes good and bad the internet has brought to the book market. Care and preservation of books book collecting guide. Preserving the value of your books means preserving their. Perhaps no writer has made this beat his own as much as nicholas basbanes, author of many books on book collecting and the history of the book. A collection does more than offer a selection of books to read, it tells a story the collector believes is worth telling. Collectors know that condition is possibly the single most important attribute of a collectible book. Do detective work before selling your hardy boy books. Although to be honest, id be pretty happy just having the list. Some books on book collecting seem intent on convincing you that book collecting is worthwhile. So to help answer any that are unresolved, heres a look at some of the issues most frequently asked about in terms of.