Antiques -> Books and Manuscripts -> American

If you are interested in finding a collectible that has a true story to tell, antique books are the ideal choice. These offer the ability to collect something that has value, not only in the actual worth of the item, but in the knowledge that is contained within its pages. Antique books are very popular and it is not terribly difficult to find some truly remarkable ones at sale. Here’s a quick guide to help you find the perfect antique books.

1. Pick your author or subject

One of the easiest ways to start looking for antique books is to find an author that you admire, or one that is very popular. For example, many are in the market for original Jane Austen volumes, while others prefer to find vintage F. Scott Fitzgerald. If you don’t have a particular author in mind, you can start collecting antique books by subject. There are many different ways that you can build up a great collection, but it does help to have at least some idea of what you are interested in before you start.

2. Considering the condition

Once you know what kind of antique books you want to collect, it’s a good idea to learn about how to tell what kind of condition they are in. The most valuable books are the ones that are in pristine shape. One of the major problems facing collectors of antique books is mold, mildew and spine rot. This can greatly impact the overall value of a book, as well as making them undesirable for display or even to have in your home. Always do the “smell test” when buying old books to see if they are overly musty or mildewed. This is perhaps the easiest way to gauge the actual condition of a volume.

3. Look for first editions

While some authors bring in a good price regardless of the edition, the most valuable volumes are going to the best the ones that are first editions. You can find this information in the copyright section of a book. The ideal combination is to find a first edition antique book that was actually signed by the author. These are rare, but they are incredibly valuable if you can come across one.

4. Know where to shop

In order to get the best deals on antique books, you have to know where to shop. In some cases, you can come across a rare find in a second hand or used book store. Frequent these stores often and keep an eye out for a potentially valuable item. You can also find antique books at auctions or in special stores. However, one of the best places to find antique books is online, where you can have access to collections from around the entire world.

Collecting antique books is fun, but remember to keep them in good condition when you do get them. Sealing them off from air and dust is the best way to keep them pristine.

Originally posted 2008-09-25 05:10:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Many people who collect rare books have relationships with a number of booksellers who handle these types of books, and have lists of the books they’d like to own. The seller, when that book becomes available, will contact the customer and then they negotiate on a price. Some online rare book sellers give the option of making such a wish list with them, and then you could be notified if they should find they have your books available.

If you’re interested in collecting rare books, establishing a relationship with several sellers and giving them your wish lists is an excellent beginning. You can at least be assured that if one of these sellers come across a book that you’ve expressed an interest in, you’ll be contacted and you’ll have the opportunity to negotiate its purchase. Whether or not you’ll end up with the book depends on how many other people the seller has to notify, and how aggressively the other customers go after the same rare book.

But rare book sellers aren’t the only way you can find rare books. Flea markets can provide interesting finds, as can yard sales. Very often people take their old books and sell them for pennies at these kinds of sales. If the seller isn’t well-read or interested in rare books, he or she might not be aware that the old book they’ve never read and don’t even remember where they got could be quite valuable in the rare book market.

Auctions like eBay are an excellent place to find rare books, too. While it’s fun to browse through the tables at flea markets and yard sales and come across an old book that costs virtually nothing and could very well be worth something, when you approach booksellers or auctions, it’s best to know exactly what books you want.

If you’re looking for rare books by a specific author, that makes it quite easy to search the numerous auctions you’ll find online, and if you’re looking for a specific book or books, then your search is simplified even more. Though it can worthwhile to simply browse the books at eBay, you’ll want to narrow it down. Go to the category called “Antiques” and then choose “Books and Manuscripts.” You can narrow it down further by choosing the region of the world you’d like the books to originate from, or you can choose the main category and spend hours browsing the rare book auctions.

As far as judging the value of rare books, much depends on the author, the condition of the book and its binding, and the book itself. First editions are the most coveted types of rare books available today, as they represent the very first printing of the book, and are almost always more valuable than later printings. If you’re looking at an auction that says “reading copy,” then pass on it. This is a book that’s in poor enough condition that you can enjoy reading it, but it’s not collectible.

Originally posted 2008-11-16 05:00:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Maintaining the integrity of old books that are considered to be archives, historic or heirlooms can be a challenging task given the wide variety of elements and types of situations that are capable of causing damage to them. Fire, water, mold and smoke are all elements and situations that are capable of causing damage to books that are archived or historic if the proper level of prevention is not practiced in order to keep these books in worthwhile shape. Although much of what was once in print has been converted into an online format as a result of the digital age, there is still a great amount of value that comes from preserving the books that history has been built on.

Restoring antique books that have been in some way damaged is a unique and challenging task that is not impossible but may sometimes seem it. Depending on the severity of the damage, the type of binding and paper and other details, books are capable of being restored by way of freeze drying as well as vacuum drying methods. Both of these methods for restoring antique books is going to require professional services, meaning that you are going to want to work with a professional that understands how sensitive each of these methods is and how sensitive the books are to them.

When restoring a book that is damaged by water, it is recommended that the book be left in its original found condition. If the book was closed, do not open it. If it was open, do not close it. If there was coated paper on the book, then you can use wax paper between the pages. To store or move the books prior to treating them, pack them with their spines down in crates or boxes with freezer paper keeping individual books separated.

Mud and dirt should absolutely only be removed from the book if it has been allowed to dry fully. Do not use detergents or bleaches in order to clean the books. Dry the wet books using a fan. Do not use the sun. If you want to prevent mold and absorb extra moisture, you should use talcum powder or cornstarch. If the pages of the books are folded or wrinkles, then you need to wait until the book is at least partially dry before placing the book between two dry boards using a clamp or a vice for a period of at least 24 hours to allow for straightening of the pages.

If the delicacy and the detail involved in managing the restoration and drying of an old antique book seems too daunting for you, please find a service that can do the work for you. If you become overwhelmed by the process you may end up hurting the book sooner than helping it. Contact a professional immediately to find out what your options are and you may have better luck.

Photo Credits: Patrick Q

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