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Some Basic Thoughts on Book Collecting
In another column on limited editions (see "Limited Editions as Manufactured
Collectables") I questioned the notion of manufactured
collectability. Is it really possible to manufacture a book (or doll, or plate, or whatever)
in such a way that it is certain to become collectable? It depends on how you define the term.
Is there a difference between a normal copy of a book that achieves a level of
collectability over time, and a special copy of a book that is manufactured in such a
way that it can properly be called collectable from the start?
I see a significant difference between an ordinary copy of a book that becomes
collectable after it is published versus a book that is manufactured to be collectable from
the start. In the latter case much of the desirability has to be built up through marketing
efforts, artificial scarcity, etc. This kind of value is extremely "front loaded," and
is almost certain to diminish rapidly. On the other hand, books that become collectable on
their own merits tend to show the opposite trend--they build up increasing value over time.
People collect books for a variety of reasons. Some want the information in the books
and are more interested in having a well stocked library on the subject they are
interested in. Others want only first editions and valuable books, and don't collect
in a particular subject.
Book collectors serve the valuable function of gathering, protecting, and preserving
books that would otherwise mold away and be lost. Many of the great research libraries
in the world are based upon a core of books gathered by collectors. Our own Library of
Congress began when Thomas Jefferson sold his personal library of several thousand
books to the government.
Some people collect books because they feel that books are a good investment. Certainly
some books are. You can find comparisons between the stock market and certain blue chip
books which show the books outperforming the market.
"What kind of books should I collect?" You should collect what interests you.
In the old days a collector would build up a library of books on a subject that
interested them. This approach didn't result in a narrow focus by any means because
there would be many other directions suggested by the books one acquired. The current
trend among collectors is to gather the "high spots." In other words, instead
of requiring a copy of each of Hemingway's books all the high spot collector would want
are his most famous and most valuable. A high spot collector sees each book as a
special object and is less concerned with how the individual book augments the library
as a whole.
There are generally two ways of going about most things-the quick way with a lot of
flash and the slow way that puts more emphasis on the whole.
"Do I need a lot of money to collect books?" No, depending on which approach
you take. If you want to have a good solid collection of cookbooks, you will find some
that are expensive and some that are cheap. In every field of collecting interest there
are certain books that are expensive. There are also going to be many books that are not
expensive.
You should buy the best copy of a particular book that you can afford. Don't pass on
copy of an uncommon book because you think you will find a better copy later. If there is
one regret almost all collectors have it is of the book that they saw once and didn't buy
because they thought they would find a better copy later.
Some of the best collections of books have been built by people who probably never
thought of themselves as collectors. Placing the emphasis on the collectability of a
book sometimes puts the cart before the horse.
Content provided by Rock Toews at
Back Creek Books.
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