Antique Books

Antique Dealer — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:48:40 +0000

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.

Photo Credits: Muffet

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

Related Posts

Enjoying Antique Shopping People who have been antique shopping for years know that if you are going to go out shopping in search of antiques, then you should absolutely stick to the antique shops that are still true to the business. What this means is that you should be sticking to the antique......
Antique Lamps Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Lamps There is a huge market right now for collectible antique lamps and these functional decorative collectibles can brighten any home. If you’re looking for a collectible that is not only beautiful but also functional, antique lamps are the perfect answer. There are literally hundreds......
Antique Bicycles Antiques Antique bicycles, even ones as recent as the 1950s and 1960s, are highly sought out and prized among collectors today. Certain brands and types of bicycles are snapped up and restored by bike aficionados who pay far more for the bicycles than they cost when they were new. Some......
Online Antiques Auctions According purely to definition, antiques are described as being any object that has a collectible value and that is more than 100 years in age. There are a number of different antiques auction websites that are designed to sell these types of antique items online. Some of these websites specialize......
Antique Chairs Antiques -> Furniture -> Chairs In the market for a collectible that will not only be useful but also beautify your home? Antique chairs are the perfect solution. These are a very popular type of collectible and no matter what type of furniture you’re interested in, chances are you’ll be......

Related Websites

Antique Postage Stamps Stamps -> Worldwide -> Postal History When it comes to collecting stamps, most collectors dream of being able to find the perfect antique postage stamps. By far, these are usually the ones that are the most valuable and in many cases, they are the most visually interesting. If you are......
Antique Jewelry Sports Memorabilia -> Fantasy, Mythical and Magical -> Jewelry Antique jewelry is a wonderful collectible that is not only valuable, but also very beautiful. Whether you are a fan of precious stones, interesting settings or you just have a love of everything vintage, buying antique jewelry is a lot of......
Value of a Coin Collecting Book Collecting coins is simply a hobby or a passion for some people, but for other people it is truly a science. For at least the past century, people have been taking this hobby much more seriously and now there are a myriad of different coin collecting book options to choose......
Choosing the Best Coin Collecting Books If you are into coin collecting, then it should be true that you are also into coin collecting books. If you are a coin collector, then having the right coin collecting books is going to be a basic requirement, because you need to have basic data on the coins that......
Review: The Barefoot Fisherman: A Fishing Book for Kids by Paul Amdahl This book is designed to cater to grades four through six, and specifically children who are already familiar with the basics associated with fishing but that want to learn more about this unique recreational sport. This book covers a wide variety of different topics on fishing for children, including approaching......