Become a Book Hound: Learn How to Collect Antique Books by Shane Dayton
One hobby that is rapidly growing in popularity is that of antique book collecting. Because there are still so many rare antique books around in places like small town auctions and garage sales, there is a chance to collect classic works cheap and possibly make some good money on the side selling these rare first editions to serious collectors and rare book bookstores.
If you’re interested in collecting antique books and joining the legions of book hounds out there, one of the first things you will need to learn is the difference between old books and antique books.
Not every old book is going to be worth something. There are many books from around 1900 that aren’t worth anything, even if they are uncommon, because they were just pulp fiction back then, and so not worth anything now, either.
On the other hand, there are paperbacks from the 1960s an 1970s that are worth a couple hundred bucks each (see Richard Bachman, or one of Dean Koontz’s dozen pennames). This is usually because of a famous author writing these books under pennames, then becoming famous later on in the career.
When collecting antique books, the popularity of the author or the book does make a difference in how much it is worth. This is in addition to how many copies of a book are estimated to be left. There are hundreds of thousands of copies of Sinclair Lewis’s and John Steinbeck’s later novels, but they are classic authors and so first editions in great condition are still worth decent money.
Many great collectible books, especially the most valuable, are first editions of books by famous authors that were written before the author became famous. This is why books like “Travels with Charley” by John Steinbeck, “It Can’t Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis, and “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway are great first edition books, but worth far less than nearly unheard of early books by these authors like:
1. Hike and the Aeroplane (Lewis)
2. Cup of Gold (Steinbeck)
3. In Our Time (Hemingway)
These latter three books are worth $12,000-$60,000 for true first editions, in strong part due to the fact that these were some of the earliest works by these authors, who were all unknown at the time, so not only are they by famous authors, but they’re rare, as well.
Knowing the difference between just an old book, and a valuable rare book, is critical in becoming a good book hound.
About the Author
And if you would like to learn more about how to get into the world of collecting antique books, please feel free to visit my page about Becoming a Book Hound.
Thank you for reading!
ARE MY COMICS WORTH ANYTHING ???????????
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Royal Albert 100 Years of Royal Albert Teacups and Saucers, Set of 5, 1900-1940 $149.99 As it embarks on a new century of fine china design, Royal Albert honors the artistic achievements of the one it has so faithfully chronicled with this stunning 100 Years of Royal Albert tribute collection. Employing classic shapes and delicate floral motifs, the 10-part series, which includes teaware, figurines, and brooches, recalls major British historical events and style trends from each deca… |
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Wedgwood Peter Rabbit Original Set … |
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Relics $10.91 This compilation and “greatest hits” package has the odd distinction of being released well before the band hit its stadium-filling prime in the mid-to-late ’70s. This album essentially bridges the considerable gap between original leader Syd Barrett’s baroque psychedelic pop-single bent (exemplified here by the band’s first chart hit “See Emily Play” and the cross-dressing mini-epic “Arnold Layne… |
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The Beatles Anthology Collector’s Set [VHS] $17.95 Initially broadcast as a TV miniseries to go with the series of three Anthology double-CD albums, this set of eight documentary tapes has the heft and scope of one of Ken Burns’s expansive projects. Still, unless you are either a historian or a truly committed fan, you’ll find yourself with way more material–particularly about the Beatles’ early lives as lads in Liverpool–than you’ll want t… |
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Walt Disney Treasures – The Chronological Donald, Volume Two (1942 – 1946) $32.99 CHRONOLOGICAL DONALD, THE-VOLUME 2: 1942… |
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Vintage Mickey $19.99 VINTAGE MICKEY… |
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Walt Disney Treasures – Mickey Mouse in Black and White $32.99 In these cartoons released between 1928 and 1935, Walt Disney created one of the icons of 20th-century culture. Disney’s reputation was built on these early shorts, and the films shimmer with the energy of the young artists exploring the new medium of the sound cartoon. Watching the films in chronological order enables the viewer to see the remarkable progress Walt and his crew made in animat… |
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Chinese Furniture $33.91 The international market for antique Chinese furniture is booming, and masterpieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties are now worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Chinese Furniture is a survey of these collectibles-from the very be… |
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Meissen Porcelain (Paperback) $15.4 Once worth more than its weight in gold, Meissen Porcelain has graced the households of royalty and artistocracy for hundreds of years. Famed ceramic expert and Antiques Roadshow stalwart John Sandon explores the history of this precious commodity: fro… |
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Get Maitland (Large Print,Hardcover) $27.76 Once a Chicago police officer, Evan Maitland now deals in antiques. When a friend asks him to track down a stolen piece of furniture worth at least a million dollars, he heads to London. |