Learning to Collect Books

 

oldbooksThere are many different people in the world that decide to collect books, and surprisingly enough, they decide to collect books for a whole host of different reasons that are just about as diverse as the books themselves. Classic works from the greats like Homer, Shakespeare, Dante and Dickens can jump right out of the pages, stamping themselves on the minds of those reading and collecting them. The reason why so many people decide to collect books is because great books are capable of inspiring everyday readers as well as people that are dedicated to bookbinding, book production and other parts of creating the books that we love to read so much.

Many editions of our favorite classics have seen publishing ever since the invention of the printing press, which occurred more than 500 years ago. These books were held in such high regard that you can tell from the quality of the bindings and covers how important these books used to be, as well as the illustrations that are used to adorn as well as illuminate each of the pages of text. To own a fine quality leather bound classic novel that is artfully illustrated with engravings or woodcuts is a pleasure of the senses and the mind all at once.

These are just some of the reasons for why people like to collect books, and this includes all types of books including fine books and rare books. There are novice collectors that sometimes find themselves asking what types of works are actually worth spending their hard earned money on – And so this basic principle for collecting should be considered: Simply attempt to collect books that are fine and rare and that are by authors that you have once read or intend to read at some point, as long as there is world enough as well as time enough. Your collection, thusly, will reflect your interests and your tastes, and this is what you should be striving to achieve when you collect books.

Some people that collect books decide to organize the books that they collect following a specific well known illustrator. Other people that collect books decide to collect solely on the materials or the craftsmanship of the book itself and its binding, such as calf skin books, morocco books, vellum books. In all of these cases however, it is especially important that you collect books that personally interest you and excite you, because your book collection should be a product of your own interests and your own desires and not based on perceived value of books to other people.

When you decide to collect books, know that the sky is the limit in terms of what you can collect and how you can form your collection. Do not let anything limit your collection but your own capabilities, interests and imagination.

Photo Credits: Matt Seppings

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