The Gentle Madness of Book Collecting

by Marty Weil

 

The pursuit and acquisition of books defines book collecting, but it doesn’t begin to explain the love of books that many bibliophiles exhibit in their passionate quest to acquire whatever books interest them. Even so, book collecting shouldn’t be confused with bibliomania, the obsessive-compulsive hording of books.

 

Unlike casual book owners, book collectors do not necessarily accumulate books for reading purposes. In fact, a book collector will eschew reading a collectible copy of book for fear of destroying it. Instead, the book collector will often buy a “reading” copy of a collectible book if they have an interest.

 

Book collecting is a vast field with many genres and sub-genres. Illuminated manuscripts, a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders, and miniature illustrations, are an example of one of the earliest and most expensive genres of collectible books. Illuminated manuscripts pre-date the printing press. With the advent of Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press (around 1450), books became cheaper to manufacture and more plentiful—opening up a host of collecting possibilities. A great number of contemporary book collectors focus on “first editions” (the first print run of a title). There are many books that explain this facet of book collecting, including ABC for Book Collectors.

 

If you steer clear of illuminated manuscripts and rare books such as Shakespeare’s First Folio, book collecting doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. Collectors of average means can collect the works of their favorite author’s first editions, which can normally be purchased—at the time they are first issued—for the price on the jacket. And there’s more good news for price-sensitive book collectors: In recent years, the price of collectible books has come down considerably as a result of online sellers such as eBay, Abebooks, Alibris, and Amazon. The market is literally flooded with collectible books.

 

Even with the large quantity of books for sale, collectible book prices depend on the demand for the title, the number of copies available, and, of course, condition. The physical condition of a book, like many collectibles, plays a central role in determining its value. Books are subject to a wide range of damage. For modern first editions, the condition of the dust jacket can be equally as important as the book itself.

 

Before a potential book collector rushes out to purchase antique and collectible books, it is wise to gain a deep understanding of books and book collecting. Luckily for collectors, there is a huge library of excellent books on the subject, including Book Collecting: A Comprehensive Guide by Allen & Patricia Ahearn; Book Collecting for Fun and Profit by Bill McBride; and How to Buy Rare Books: A Practical Guide to the Antiquarian Book Market by William Rees-Moog. Because of the huge number of books for sale, there is no single comprehensive price guide for collectible books. The prices of copies listed for sale at the aforementioned online booksellers provides some indication of the current value of a particular title.

 

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