Values Of Antique Books
Antique book prices are affected by many factors
. A popular hobby, antique book collecting involves the collector due to an interest in the book's topic and history, not to mention the possible profit made when sold.
What makes a Book Antique?
The age of a book is not the only thing that makes a book antique. There are many books from the 1900s that have very little value. First editions are generally antique. These are books that were written by a famous writer before they became famous. The four most important factors that make a book antique and affect antique book prices are:
#1 - Importance of Material
The topics of a first edition will help to determine its worth. Here are some books that are typically considered to be important and thus worth more:
* Literary or historical works
* First findings of inventions or scientific discoveries
* Illustrated books that give a new interpretation of text
* Illustrated books that are the work of a popular artist
* Banned, censored or suppressed publications
Other features which raise the importance of a book:
* Special binding - for example; leather bound or gold leafed
* Autograph
* Inscription
* Comments in the margins made by a famous individual
#2 - Rarity
A rare book is basically a book that becomes a rarity when the demand exceeds the supply. Therefore, if there are more people looking for a particular book then there are copies, this will make the book rare. People tend to think the following are rare, when in fact they are likely not:
* Bibles - Because Bibles are so common and can be found in most stores, most copies of the Bible are not rare. However, there are some editions of the Bible that are rare. These include the earliest printed Bibles that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
* Encyclopedias - again, not generally considered antiques due to the number of copies that are created. There are a few exceptions however, like the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica. Also are complete sets of encyclopedias published before 1800s.
* Old Textbooks - because these are usually second-hand or used books, they are not generally considered to be rare. Two exceptions are early American primers in great condition and textbooks printed before 1850. The Eclectic Readers of William Holmes McGuffey are also popular amongst antique book collectors. The edition and condition of each book will affect the antique book price.
Your time is valuable. Now that you know to steer clear of the above, you can spend your time looking for other types of books.
#3 - Demand
Demand and rarity are linked closely. If an edition is over a hundred years old but there are more copies available than people searching for them, it is not an antique.
#4 - Condition
The state of the book has a huge impact on the antique book price value. If the book is of important material, is rare and has a high demand then it may be on the possible antique list. However, it must still be in a decent condition to raise the value. Three degrees of condition are:
* Mint
* Good
* Poor
Mint condition is when the book has absolutely no imperfections or has not been damaged at all. Good condition is when it is has been slightly used but still no defects. The book may have been used but very carefully. Poor condition is when there are obvious defects like torn pages, bent covers and bindings, or yellowed pages.
Keeping the Condition of Antique Books
When you become an antique book collector, you must take steps to maintain their value. Environmental factors can and will damage your rare books. Here are three of the most common environmental hazards:
* Light
* Temperature
* Humidity
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to keep your antique books in a dry, cool and evenly maintained environment. Books should not be exposed to direct lighting. Humidity and temperature fluctuations can cause damage to sensitive books.
Places to Avoid Storing Books:
* Basements
* Garages
* Attics
These places are usually too hot, damp, or fluctuate in temperature and humidity.
More Tips for Storing Antique Books:
* Never wrap books in plastic. Plastic wrap can restrict the circulation of air, which will promote the growth of mold or mildew. Plastics can degrade over time, which will cause the books and plastic to fuse together.
* Do not wrap newspaper around books or place in a cardboard box. The acid in the newspaper and cardboard will seek into the books and cause damage.
* Do not repair pages or bindings with an adhesive tape. The adhesive will yellow with age plus leave a residue.
* Never store books, such as atlases or art portfolios vertically on the shelf as they can curve. Instead, store them flat on the shelf.
It is important to know antique book prices to ensure you are not being scammed into paying more than what the book is worth. It is also good to know the true value of a book so that you are not undercharging if you do intend to sell it.
by: Jeff Morgan
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