This club is dedicated to those of us who love books so much we simply cant part with them. Please email us if you have any questions about book collecting current thoughts. Johannes gutenberg developed the movable type printing press in the 1440s in fact, any printed book dating from 1500 or earlier is known as an incunabulum, and is virtually guaranteed to be rare and valuable. How to start collecting rare books alembic rare books.
It may seem obvious, but the first piece of advice from each of our specialists was to make sure. Click here to see an example of a survey i did for my most recent book, doable. However, some universal truths are present in the book collecting world. Popular culture has created an image of book collectors as older, wealthy men who attend glitzy auctions and have beautiful libra. It combines beautiful, interesting objects with the excitement of the hunt and, who knows, maybe even the possi. 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. This article first appeared in book collecting 2000. Barrons penta visits rebecca romney of bauman rare books for insights on assembling and caring for your collection. You can still see some of the early picks there now.
After several years of learning about book collecting, i discovered a system that allows me to predict which books are most likely to appreciate in price over the next few years. Caring for rare books rare books collections national. After several vigorous sweeps, grasp the bag with your free hand or flip the net over the wire loop figure to prevent escape of the specimens. Learn tips for cataloging your book collection in this free book collecting video from a longtime bookstore buyer.
Also, how would you go about getting a mentor in this field of study. The process is filled with nuances, and there are perhaps as many ways to. The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read, admire, and collect books is called a bibliophile. Travels in the book world first published in 1997 is the first book i immediately reread. But the internet has made it all about pots of gold. The process is filled with nuances, and there are perhaps as many ways to go about forming a collection as there are collectors. A comprehensive guide, by allen and patricia ahearn, published by g.
A new chapter for rare book collecting rick gekoski. The first and foremost rule of collecting is to collect what you like. During the 1990s trophy room books was selected to chair the prestigious seminar on collecting sponsored by safari club international. And when you move, it is depressing to see how many boxes the books take. Our long time leadership in the field of collecting both out of print and new big game hunting books is recognized throughout the hunting community. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting, from what to collect to caring for your book collection.
While certain types of books can make good investments, if you want to collect primarily for investment purposes, book collecting may not be for you. A gutenberg bible, printed in 1456 and considered the first book of movable. There are millions of books, so collectors necessarily specialize in one or more genres or subgenres of literature. Strategies and perspectives for the bookhunter in the 21st century. Blog home vintage vintage toy collecting tips to relive your childhood. Now a collector can simply search the inventory of booksellers from around the globe from the comfort of their home, and purchase books they require for their collection to be shipped to their doorstep. Book collecting guide best books about book collecting abebooks. Developing a research collection of rare books is stated as a purpose of the alexander turnbull library, in the national library of new zealand te puna matauranga o. Unlike some other trades, book dealers have never been afraid to commit their secrets, memories, and insights to paper.
A first edition of moby dick, one of my favorite books of. Book collecting can be a disease, as anyone who loves to read will tell you. Sep 04, 2015 collecting rare books is at once a hobby, a passion, and an art form. 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. There are published writings of many great herbalists of the sixteenth century such as brunfels, bock, and fuchs, as well as renowned works on flowers and fruits from both the 18th and 19th centuries. The ten commandments to collecting comic books youtube. The infography about book collecting online and print resources, recommended by an expert. Apr 16, 2008 organize that precious book collection. Additionally the beautiful photos make this a great coffee table book. On the internet there are a few different types of businesses that you, as a buyer, should be aware of. These book collecting tips are simple techniques to improve your collection and your experience of collecting.
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. This area is an assortment of random tips that i have put together in order for you to maximize your enjoyment of collecting early copper coins. And he had built up quite a few new and antique collectible books by the mid 90s when he moved back to dallas. Popular culture has created an image of book collectors as older, wealthy men who attend glitzy auctions and have beautiful libraries. Book collecting is one of the greatest hobbies there is. 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. Details of their journey are abundant and informative and prompted me to make a trip to royal books in downtown baltimore in search of a heritage press edition of tom sawyer. Whatever your interests literary classics, landmarks in the history of ideas, monumental accounts of travel and exploration, revolutionary scientific and medical works, exquisite decorative bindings and sets, beloved childrens books, inscribed or association copies bauman rare books has much to offer. Here, weve compiled a brief guide to help you along your collecting ways. We have created this series of web pages as a basic guide to starting a collection and understanding the terminology of booksellers. Following is a top 10 list of collecting tips gleaned from the show, to which ive added a few twists of my own. Collect what you love the best book collections reflect the personalities and interests of their owners.
Home collector tips how to start a book collection. He describes various types of rare books from different times and places which is certainly interesting for someone just thinking about collecting rare books, but i would have liked to hear more of his own experiences with some of the extraordinary volumes hes. For some collectors its not about owning rare books but the thrill of the hunt, and once they have completed a collection they may decide to sell to fund the next biblio adventure. The rare books and fine printing collection is a national collection, built on the collecting interests of alexander h. He started collecting books in the 80s when he was out on the west coast.
Become a bibliophile with our 10 useful tips on collecting rare books, first editions and manuscripts. Because the books are broken down into series, theres also a type of framework to follow for collectors, which is appealing for those looking to amass a complete collection. The number of book collecting categories is virtually endless and if you can think of it, there are probably people out there collecting it. Book collecting tips offers informational resources for all book collectors. A first edition book may be rare and expensive, or as common as air.
The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read, admire, and collect books is called a bibliophile book collecting can be easy and inexpensive. Decide what types of condition and completeness are within your price range, and pick the very best available. Home rare books book collecting guide best books about book collecting best books about book collecting while our book collecting guide is a useful resource for novice collectors who want to learn more, we would be hard pressed to include everything there is to know about rare books. Book collecting as an investment book collecting guide. There can be various reasons to sell your collection, or part of it. These, as well as other flying insects, can be captured by netting them in the air.
I liked browsing for books but didnt know anything. Mar 28, 2012 a new chapter for rare book collecting rick gekoski. Well pull just one of these to the fore because its a perfect introduction to book collecting. Book collecting tips ive learned over the years ive always enjoyed visiting book stores.
Learn how to care for rare books in this free book collecting video from a longtime bookstore buyer. 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. Whether youre an experienced book collector, or new to collecting books, biblio is your source for. This short guide gives basic tips for starting your book collection. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed rare. If youre new to the world of book collecting, we have all of the resources and information you need to start collecting books right here in one convenient place. While people can and will collect anything from fine art to the most humble objects, the same principles in collecting apply. Special collections has a rare book collection strong in botany, natural history, zoology, and entomology. It combines beautiful, interesting objects with the excitement of the hunt and, who knows, maybe even the possibility of making some money. Book collecting tips this short guide gives basic tips for starting your book collection. A new chapter for rare book collecting books the guardian. 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. Fiction prediction a book collecting membership site. Yet rare books are a great example of getting what you pay for.
Every time you look at your shelves more books have appeared. Nothing brings us pleasure quite like a good book, and there is certainly plenty of enjoyment to be had as a rare book collector. Vintage toy collecting tips to relive your childhood. Franklin library editions, for instance, include beautiful classic, leatherbound books. Home rare books book collecting guide selling your books. It combines beautiful, interesting objects with the excitement of the. Buying and selling rare books rare book collections. To keep the book together, use cotton tape tied around the top and bottom of a book. Since collecting is a totally optional pursuit, a hobby, it should be governed solely by what gives you pleasure.
You took them everywhere and knocked them around, then as an adult you see them on ebay or in an antique store. Collecting plan rare books and fine printing collection. Getting started with the basics of book collecting. Abaa introduction to book collecting antiquarian booksellers. Collecting all the rare books published about steamboats or magic may take you a lifetime of looking, but buying by topic lets you explore rare books from many periods. Lot 473, matilda, the twits, and the bfg by roald dahl, forum auctions september 2016. Book dealing was once, as graham greene told me, a treasure hunt. 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. While our book collecting guide is a useful resource for novice collectors who want to learn more, we would be hard pressed to include everything there is to.
Follow these 10 commandments and i guarantee youll have a great comic collection that youll. A good guide to book collecting and the terminology used is the abc for book collectors by john carter and nicolas barker. Other collectors focus on aesthetic appeal when they are acquiring books. Collecting rare books is at once a hobby, a passion, and an art form. Here are 5 tips from me on how to begin collecting. In this video i discuss my 10 commandments that i stick to when it comes to collecting comic books. First edition is one of the most misunderstood phrases in book collecting. Bauman rare books first editions, signed and inscribed. All forms of collecting will be welcome here, be it graphic novels, comic books, 1st edition trade books, and so forth. Jul 15, 20 i am completely new to the world of rare book collecting. How can help you as a book collector i opened a new membership site in october 2010. Reach out to your potential audience and ask for specific feedback on your ideasthe insight you get from the people you see as the enduser of your book will be invaluable.
There are many, many fascinating and educational books detailing the inner workings of the rare book trade. Caring for your books your collection is valuable and older books take a certain amount of basic care. If cared for properly, rare books can provide their owners with a beautiful collection that will continue to grow in value as time goes. These insects are collected by sweeping weeds, grass, or any other foliage with the collecting net swinging the net back and forth, scraping the foliage with each pass as you walk along. October 2, 2017 and the award for best book collection goes to by stephanie deluca. An alert collector finds many insect specimens from very diverse habitats.
Worst case scenarioyou wind up with a lot of books. For example, dragonflies, damselflies, and other aquatic insects are found near water. A handwritten 18th century financial manuscript, bound in a 16th or 15th century antiphonal leaf. We polled some dealers and collectors and arrived at this list of the top ten books every book collector should read. Theres always something new and exciting to find even in rough times, this was my highlight for march. 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.
You can collect any kind of books but make sure that you collect books that you love. Information on the existence, location, and prices of collectors items can be found in author bibliographies, dealer and auction catalogs, and bookcollecting periodicals such as the colophon 193050, the book collecting world, and the antiquarian bookman. In the world of book collecting, old means very, very old. While our book collecting guide is a useful resource for novice collectors who want to learn more, we would be hard pressed to include everything there is to know about rare books. Our long time leadership in the field of collecting both out of print and new big game hunting books. A champion of the physical book, richard davies from offers advice to anyone thinking about collecting rare books. 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. Since david bauman represents the pinnacle of commercial rare book dealers i expected a bit more from this all too superficial book. 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. I followed my brotherinlaw around used bookstores for years. These book collecting tips are simple techniques to improve your collection.
Books from your childhood, books about space, your favourite fiction series, books published by a specific small press, association copies, or books by your favourite author any of these are ideal. Rare books especially old, rare books deserve and require special care. If you want to get your rare book repaired it is worth contacting a specialist bookbinder and conservator who will use special archival materials to carry out repairs. Some prefer to compile a collection of leather bound books. So you want to start a book collection but not sure where to start. If youve ever thought about collecting first editions, but didnt know where to start, this post is for you. Unique rating system makes book collecting easy i started book collecting as a hobby.
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