We Have Select Easton Press, Franklin Library and other Collectible books for SALE!

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Col·lect·ible adj. 1 :suitable for collecting. noun  2 : an object suitable for a collection, as that of a hobbyist.  (1640-50)

 

We are interested in your collectible books. There is a difference between a collectible book and simply a valuable book. A collectible book refers to a book that is worth much more than it originally sold for because of its rarity and/or popularity. A fresh, new copy of Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases: 2-Volume Set is a valuable book at $350, but it is not a collectible book. Collectible books need to meet certain criteria, the most important being desirability by people who collect books.

 

To make it a little easier, we’ve prepared a simple checklist for you to determine if books in your library meet those criteria. Through the process of elimination, you should be able to winnow down the pile to those few books that are collectibles.

 

Answer these questions for each book:

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Does it have a dustjacket?

      

      

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Is it a paperback?

     
 

 

Is it a text book, self-help book, owner’s manual, encyclopedia, dictionary, etc.?

     
 

 

Is it an ex-library book w/markings?

     

      
 

Is it a multi-volume set, such as Works of Twain, Works of Dickens, etc?*

     

                    *Publications such as Easton Press or Franklin Library are excluded from this criteria. 

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Is it a book that is a single volume of a set, such as Volume 1 of 5?

     

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Except for the first question, each book you've checked the "Yes" box for should be disqualified. From here on, it takes a little more time investment to determine collectability. Up to this point, we’ve been focusing on the dealbreaker aspects of the books you’re considering selling. If you still have books remaining after the checklist, we need to focus on the dealmaker aspects of your books.

 

Ask yourself these questions about the books remaining:

 

Is the book a first edition, first printing?​*                             

 

                                *In the case of first editions, it can be difficult to identify a true 1st edition, 1st                                                  printing, of a book. The identifiers vary depending on the book and the practices of                                      the original publisher. Many books lack any outward sign of their edition status. 

                                  Although not as collectible as “first printings”, later printings of a first edition can 

                                  have value, depending on the book. 

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Is the book signed by the author?

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Was it written by an author you recognize as important or popular?*

                       

                          *Examples: Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, Vonnegut, Faulkner, etc.

 

 

Is it a title that you recognize as being important or popular?*

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                         *Examples: Gone With the Wind, The Great Gatsby,

                                  Slaughterhouse Five, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Is the book an illustrated, signed and limited edition?*

                         

                               *Although the above may seem obvious,

                                 look for books illustrated by the likes of                                                   Rackham, Dulac, Dore and others.

 

 

 

There are of course other factors to consider when evaluating the collectability/desirability of a book. One factor that can’t be stressed enough is condition! In real estate, it’s location, location, location. In book collecting, it’s condition, condition, condition. Only extremely important and rare books can hold their value in a deteriorated state. Condition applies to dust jackets as well as the book itself. Take care of your books.

 

In addition to what has already been mentioned, the age of a book can tick the “Yes” box for collectability. According to the American Library Association “Certain categories of books are generally more sought after,” says the ALA’s FAQ, “including all books printed before 1501, English books printed before 1641, books printed in the Americas before 1801, and books printed west of the Mississippi before 1850.” By this measure, we’re talking about books that are rare/collectible because at that time and place, any books were rare.

 

In conclusion, if you’ve completed the above checklist and you feel that you have books remaining that are collectible, please submit a list of the books with photos. It’s important to include the Author, Title, Publisher, Printing Year, Condition notes, whether or not the book is a first edition, note if the book is signed by the author or possesses some other important attribute, and always note the presence or absence of the dust-jacket. We look forward to working with you.