Book Collecting 101: The How's, Where's, and Why's

I have a lot of books. Really. A lot. I read like crazy and have my own personal library, have worked in bookstores, I sell books online, and I collect firsts and other books. Consequently, I've spoken with a lot of people who 'love books' and feel a seemingly non-specific desire to start 'collecting books.' There seems to be something dazzlingly romantic or pleasingly highbrow about it, I think.

It's been my experience that people who have lofty ideas and perceive it as such are the least likely to actually venture into book collecting, at least with any effort that is sustained or worthwhile. There's an innate intimidation, and almost an admission of book-world-unfamiliarity at hand with this unnecessary attitude. Believe me, there's little glamour involved. Lots of grumpy men and dust.

I have also seen many people in the process of 'book collecting', obviously without a clue to what they are looking for or why. If you are serious about book collecting, it's in your interest to define your motives and goals, and also educate yourself in the basics of the occupation.

First, define your reasons for wanting to start a book collection. Be honest, but if you are inclined to answer 'because I love books', force yourself to go further. To impress? For a long term investment or quick profit turnaround? To learn about literature? For personal pleasure? For aesthetic purposes? For the literary journey or hunt, or satisfaction of the acquisition? To read? A note here: Acquiring books simply for reading pleasure or your personal library isn't considered within the scope of book collecting. It's a noble pursuit and valid beyond all argument; it simply isn't book collecting.

There are a myriad of reasons to start a book collection. Knowing yours is the first step to decide if it is a worthwhile pursuit after all, and even give you an idea of what and how you may be collecting, and what knowledge you will need to have before you begin. Most book collectors and even many booksellers have fairly specified niches for a reason-there are a million bazillion trillion books in the world. It's really in your interest to narrow down the field; it's easy to become overwhelmed otherwise.

Once you understand your motivations, decide what and where/how you want to collect. For example, if you want to collect for profit or investment purposes, vintage childrens' Tell-a-Tale Books will probably not be your best bet; you would probably want to seek out more inexpensive first editions of author's first published works at venues like thrift stores and estate sales. Buy low, sell high. But, there's also the fact that books appreciate in time rather consistently, somewhat like art. So if you have the funds, scouring the thrift stores may not be necessary. Purchasing a rare book at market price may be more up our alley.

Book collecting doesn't have too be all about money or literary coolness. If you love Lassie, you could begin a collection of books about Lassie. There are all kinds of mint condition Whitman board books, Big Little Books, Tell-a Tale books, and other books about Lassie. It would make a pleasing display, and satisfying pastime. Nothing is too specific, too obscure, too weird. That's the joy of a collection-it's personal. You may as well make it about what you really love.

Once you have a general idea of why and how you will be collecting, it's important to familiarize yourself with and educate yourself about the book collecting world, and if appropriate, within the niche that interests you. The book collecting world has its own written and unwritten rules, language, and manners.

There are also a lot of misconceptions and myths; don't waste your time and money making common mistakes. One of the most common mistakes people make is scouring used bookstores and thrift stores for very old books and first editions, in the belief that first editions are really where it's at.

While it's true some first editions are valuable, usually only if it is a true first printing of the author's first publication. The value of a particular book is a combination of many factors, one of which is rarity. Many now-famous writers were first published in virtual obscurity, and with small first printings.

You can scoop up dozens of Stephen King's first edition of The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, at almost any thrift store, but they have no monetary value. His first printing of Carrie, however, his first published book, currently fetches nearly $7,000, and would be an almost guaranteed object of appreciation indefinitely. There are many guide books geared toward first edition identification and values thereof. It can be a tricky business, so if you're interested in collecting literary first editions, research and knowledge is essential.

And those old, gilt-trimmed classics with ornate endpapers and illustrations? Those must be valuable, right? No, some books are just old, and a product of the era in which they are published. Generally, they have the same ratio of value/non-value as that of contemporary books. If you're collecting for personal pleasure, they can be some of the most satisfying finds; they are beautiful relics. But that dusty, ornate copy of Pride and Prejudice is most likely a lovely reading copy that simply has no monetary value, and will not increase in value with time.

There are some great general book collecting resources I highly recommend. Book Collecting 2000, by Allen and Patricia Ahern is a most comprehensive listing of authors' firsts. Unfortunately, there is no updated edition, but I have found the book to be a terrific reference nonetheless. There is also a wealth of information inside about collecting in general. A more general guide is Official Price guide to Collecting Books by Marie Tedford and Pat Goudey.

For reading pleasure, I recommend all of the book collectors' Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone's fabulously readable and intriguing non-fiction narratives about their own book collecting adventures and obsessions, including Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World, and Slightly Chipped: Footnotes in Booklore.

If you're interested in collecting a certain type of book, such as Big Little Books, there are many collecting guidebooks and websites devoted to specific types of books. Finally, the Alibris website offers a great primer page for getting acquainted with book grading and other general terms related to book descriptions and grading that you may encounter online and in bookshops.