What could be difficult about it – find first editions, stay away from old looking or yellowed pages, make sure the cover is not marked, and buy known authors. Easy. Well almost. When collecting books, you will generally have more success if you read up on some hints and tricks before you start ‘hunting and collecting’.
OK. Hints and Tricks 101.
- Acknowledge your sentimental side, collect things you are interested in.
- Use the simplest checklist before buying anything: condition, condition, condition – this is the key to value. Usually, if a book looks like it has just been published it will have a higher value.
- Be guided by the experts. Use a bibliographic catalogue when deciding your direction, purchases and options. They are expensive, so look for one in your local or state library.
- Understand what you read; know what the terms mean – mint, as new, very fine, fine, very good, price clipped jackets, bookplates, 8vo, verso, … This is your homework!
- If it should have a dust jacket and doesn’t – don’t buy it and expect it to appreciate in value. Books without their dust jacket can lose up to 90% of their value.
- Buy 1st editions – they are the ones that are most likely to make you the most money.
- Learn how to quickly judge the value of a book. Mentally put it on a table with other similar books. Move them about to rank them, based on flaws and price. If this book is in better condition and is in the same price range, then buy it.
- Attend antiquarian book fairs. It is here that you can see what 150-year-old books can look like and your understanding of value will increase.
Some common terms and their uses
Mint | Can be a controversial term; understood to mean ‘as new’, but some serious collectors will not use the term |
Fine/Near Fine acceptable for collectible books | No defects, but not as "clean and bright" as a new book. |
VG / VG+ / VG- all acceptable for collectible books | Very Good. Can also be VG+ or VG-. These books usually show signs of being stored on a bookshelf (shelf wear). Look for slight fading, some rubbing and some faults in the margins. Can include damage to the dust jacket. |
G generally not "good" as a collectible copy | Good. This quality of book is complete and firmly bound but will have a number of serious defects. |
FAIR considered to be good for reading only | This quality of book shows significant deterioration - loose binding, no endpapers. |
Homework Task – decode these
Good, No DJ.
G+. Some shelfwear to this book with no dj. Owners' sig on fep. "A" on copyright page.
vg/-. Lacking dj. Spine bumped at foot.
x-lib., about Fair boards/endpapers, text VG. Binding good.. No dj. Good+ with no dust jacket.
1st edition. "A". Previous owner's bookplate on pastedown. Good/-. Soiled beige cloth boards, flaking on red/black title to spine.Front hinge weak, offsetting to EPs
1st.state jacket - no photog's name. dj badly tattered & chipped, covers have light soiling
where dj is chipped,
in a first issue dust jacket. 8vo. grey cloth. Somewhat worn and soiled.
G+. Some shelfwear to this book with no dj. Owners' sig on fep. "A" on copyright page.
vg/-. Lacking dj. Spine bumped at foot.
x-lib., about Fair boards/endpapers, text VG. Binding good.. No dj. Good+ with no dust jacket.
1st edition. "A". Previous owner's bookplate on pastedown. Good/-. Soiled beige cloth boards, flaking on red/black title to spine.Front hinge weak, offsetting to EPs
1st.state jacket - no photog's name. dj badly tattered & chipped, covers have light soiling
where dj is chipped,
in a first issue dust jacket. 8vo. grey cloth. Somewhat worn and soiled.
Very Good DJ Fair. DJ has 1 1/2" chips around spine ends and upper front corner,plate on f.e,
name ffe.
good+/Fair. Heavy chips and abrasion at spine ends, back joint, across spine, corners and edges.
name ffe.
good+/Fair. Heavy chips and abrasion at spine ends, back joint, across spine, corners and edges.
Front joint going at bottom, dj is first issue. Signed former owner on ffep..
VG Fair..owner's name..1st state dj. dj has scuffs, creases, closed tears,and two small missing pieces..
fine, First state of dj, without the credit to the photographer on rear panel.
Ink name and address to fep. Mild glue discoloration at gutters as usual else Fine in an attractive 1st state dj
VG Fair..owner's name..1st state dj. dj has scuffs, creases, closed tears,and two small missing pieces..
fine, First state of dj, without the credit to the photographer on rear panel.
Ink name and address to fep. Mild glue discoloration at gutters as usual else Fine in an attractive 1st state dj
VG in VG dj, minor chips at corners and spine ends, light rubbing. 1st. issue dustjacket.
1st state dj. boards a bit soiled and rubbed. dj with numerous creases and several small chops. VG/G.
1st few p lt crease, dusty eps; red crayon # reps, VG-, dj fair. signature on dj photo missing per first. 1st state dj. boards a bit soiled and rubbed. dj with numerous creases and several small chops. VG/G.
1st state dj, A fine copy in very good jacket.
Useful web sites:
http://www.eleanorsbooks.com/ Children's Books Central : A place to start for writers, readers, collectors, illustrators, librarians, teachers, parents, publishers, printers, storytellers and kids.
http://www.betweenthecovers.com/btc This site has an extensive collection of modern first-edition dust-jacket images.
