People collect books for a number of reasons, such as:
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the book is a first edition;
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the book is scarce;
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the book is signed by the author, illustrator, or another notable person linked to the book;
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the book’s cover art;
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aesthetic appeal, such as, books bound in leather;
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illustrations in the book;
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interest in an author;
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interested in a specific time period, eg. Victorian era;
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collecting a favourite genre (eg. children’s books, fantasy, history, science, or mystery);
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as an investment, etc.
Source: The Field Museum | The Brain Scoop
Quality versus Quantity
Generally, it’s better to have a small collection of high-quality books than a large collection of lower quality.
Be Selective
Look at collecting a few topics of interest, rather than just randomly picking books.
Condition of Book
The condition of a book matters. Buy in the best condition possible within your budget.
Completeness
Having a complete book is important, eg. all physical accessories of the book, such as a dust jacket, a map, etc. These add to the value of a book.
First Editions
Where possible look for first edition first printings.
Research
Do your research.
Care, Handling & Storage of Books
Ensure that you have a safe place to store your books.
Keep them out of direct sunlight.
Store the books at room temperature where possible.
Keep books in an area where humidity is not too high, eg. 35% to 55%.
Avoid storing in a room where books are exposed to significant swings in temperature.
Explore our Rare Books Collection
Rare, scarce and antiquarian books for sale | The Fine Art Hut
