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Are you a woman who gets excited at the seemingly endless array of knowledge, history and adventure lining the shelves of a library? You already know books are wonderful tools that can emotionally affect each man and woman. But have you ever realized that each book has its own character? Aside from the words written on the pages, books are adorned with different images, special textures and varying styles. Because of this, it’s no wonder that so many book lovers dream of having their own home library.
If you’re thinking about starting a collection of good books to read, you might want to consider collecting rare books As Books Tell You Why says, “Collecting rare books is at once a hobby, a passion and an art form.” Collecting these books require delicacy and persistence and the process is “filled with nuances.”
So if you’re interested in getting started, here are some tips – compiled from Books Tell You Why, Bauman Rare Books and the BBC – to get you started.
According to Books Tell You Why, personal libraries are created by collecting a series of used or purchased books. These books could include informational texts, bedtime stories or self-help books. Your collection of “Magic Tree House” books and your “Intro to Biology” textbooks do not qualify as a “rare book collection.” Basically, personal libraries “include books [you’ve] acquired in numerous ways, and there’s often not a clear theme present.” A collection, on the other hand, is “a focused attempt to amass a specific type of book, usually of a certain quality.”
Books Tell You Why suggests picking a specific historical event or author to start your rare book collection. According to the website, some collectors focus on a particular time period or a specific part of a country. When collecting by topic, keep in mind that some topics may be too broad to pursue. While World War II may be interesting, you may want to have a more “refined search criteria” like books on a specific battle or books from a specific region during WWII. The same rule applies when you are picking specific authors. Collecting every Charles Dickens book may be too daunting to complete, so narrow down that search to a time period or a subject.
Additionally, your “central topic” can be centered on a book’s appearance. Books Tell You Why says, “Other collectors focus on aesthetic appeal when they are acquiring books. Some prefer to compile a collection of leather bound books.” You can also collect fine press books – books that are printed with small press “in close collaboration with the author.” Fine press books are often available in limited quantities, which could make for a “supremely interesting and … visually appealing addition to one’s collection.”
Really, there are a variety of focuses you could pick from. Bauman Rare Books suggests collecting whatever excites you – the possibilities are literally endless. As Bauman Rare Books says, “Book collecting is intensely personal. A [person’s] bookshelf is a map of [his or her] mind and memories.”
Collecting rare books doesn’t only require a great deal of time, it also requires a monetary investment. According to the BBC, “The range of a book’s value varies dramatically.” A first edition copy of a James Bond book by Ian Fleming can be priced as low as $160 to as high as $24,500.
These prices often depend on how rare the book is and whether it’s the first or last book published in a series. Although these prices may be discouraging to some, Matthew Haley, the head of books and manuscripts division at the Bonhams British auction house, says, “Enthusiasts can find books to suit all budgets.” Before you start collecting, just decide how much you are willing to spend. Do you want to pay $25,000 for a signed first edition of J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” or would you rather pay $6,830 for copies of J.K. Rowling’s first “Harry Potter” books?
When you’re making such a big investment, you want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth. Naturally, more valuable books will be sold for higher prices. But what determines value? According to Haley, “One can think of condition as a kind of pyramid. For a given work, there might be dozens of copies in scrappy condition, several copies in good condition but only two or three copies in outstanding condition. Those two or three copies will always be the most desirable and will hold their value better than others.” Many of these books will have soiled covers, missing dust jackets or even ripped pages. Some of them will even have food stains on them. If you are looking to splurge on your collection, look at the books that have been well-preserved and kept away from sunlight and dust.
Aside from the book’s condition, you also want to make sure that the book you buy is a legitimate copy. Bauman Rare Books suggests consulting a trusted rare book expert regularly. As the website says, “Navigating the world of bibliographical points (identifying first editions), collation (determining completeness) and condition (in which issues vary era to era and book to book) can be a treacherous path without a teacher. In addition, some proclaimed authorities can mislead you. In the era of the Internet, when anyone can put a book up for sale on an online marketplace, errors are made all the time.”
Once you’ve spent the money, you should also do the work to ensure your books are kept in good condition. As Books Tell You Why says, “You don’t want your collection to lose any of its value because it has been stored improperly.” So when caring for your books, keep them away from dust and sunlight. Humidity is also dangerous to rare books because it can lead to foxing – the formation of splotches, spots and specks on the book’s pages and cover. Doing what you can to keep your books in pristine condition will help ensure that these books can, as Books Tell You Why says, “be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Now that you have a basic idea of how to choose the books, you will also need to know where to get started. The BBC says that some collectors have found hidden treasures in charity shops, antique dealers, car boot sales and flea markets. Two good places to start are The Strand in New York and Southsex Books & Prints in Delhi, India. But if you aren’t near any of these locations, special dealers and online retailers such as AbeBooks, Bibliod, eBay and Amazon offer their own collection of books as well. For other options, the BBC says, “Bibliophiles typically hunt for rare books at auction houses such as Bonhams and Christie’s.” If you prefer, there are also various online auction sites to place your bid, including PFC Auctions, Sydney Rare Book Auctions and PBA Galleries.
Regardless of where you find it, acquiring a rare book is like finding a treasure. Happy hunting and best of luck!
