Book Finds: How to Find, Buy, and Sell Used and Rare Books

Mon Dieu! I may be sitting on a gold mine and didn't even know it until I read this book. I don't consider myself a 'book collector' (that sounds so stuffy!), but rather a total bookaholic book slut. I didn't know how to recognize a 'first edition' from a black cat until I read this book (and let me tell you, some publishers are sneaky and don't print the words 'first edition' on the copyright page---there's a secret code that you'll find out if you read this book). I decided to peruse my books and discovered that I own 40 or more first edititons, many collectible. I promptly gave them the special attention and care they so rightly deserve. If you love and own books, then you NEED to read this little treasure of a tome. You'll learn how books are born (from ideas to printing) and how to know which books are keepers. I shudder to think how many first editions I may have unwittingly given away!

I started to become interested in book collecting about 2 years ago and this was one of the first books that I purchased. It is an excellent book for a beginning collector. The author describes the history of book production and how books are produced in modern times. There is also a very good chapter on the grading of books, and how to determine if a book is "collectible." Another chapter describes ways to determine if a book by a certain publisher is a first edition. However, if you plan to collect rare, old books then this text may not be the best for you. The focus of this book is on collecting modern first editions.Although it's full of facts, the book is written in a light, easy-to-read style. The author is an avid book collector and he provides plenty of anecdotes about his experiences. The author assumes that the reader is interested in book collecting both for pleasure and for profit. He explains in detail how to acquire collectible books as inexpensively as possible by using trade-ins. The book claims to contain a list of the "1000 Most Collectible Books and Authors." This list is a little subjective however. The author even admits that what may be collectible now, may have little value later. What may be collectible to one person may be just another used book to another. Don't assume that every book on the list will be valuable.If you collect books, or plan to start a collection, this book should be part of library.

Ian Ellis a writer of considerable talent - fusing an abundance of information on a many book subjects into a simple form, straight-forward down to earth language. You get a feeling he is right there on the front lines with you with his "pull that dust jacket off and look..."simple approach rather than a teacher/student stinted kind of instruction. And the wide variety of do's, don'ts and watch-out-fors he simply reduces to a logical, methodical approach with his little cautions thrown in where he knows you might fall into a trap are nearly intrigueing. He writes not one-on-one but one-with-one as he takes you with him pinning down tricky subjects like FIRST EDITIONS, buying and selling and so much more. Even what the other guy is probably thinking. What a trip this ELLIS is. You can't wait to see what else he has up his sleeve --to make you a more enlightened buyer, seller whatever your designs are. Top-shelf, down to earth and a gutsy performance worth a lot more than you paid for. Don't miss this one.

If you love to buy and collect new or used books, then chances are you have some very collectible books just lying around. Some may be worth a fortune. A book doesn't have to be old or a first edition Hemingway to be worth money. There are thousands of highly collectible modern first editions. It's easy to find them, too . . . often at prices far below market value. The secret: Learn which books are in demand (many are more common than you may think), and then try to find them in first editions. Some may be sitting on your shelf right now. Often, publishers state "First Edition" on a title page, but far from always. And even if you know you have a first edition, how do you know if it's collectible? Ellis gives detailed information on how to identify first editions and books worth collecting. You'll learn about how later editions can be collectible, too. There's tons of solid, money making advice on how to become a book collector, even if you're on a limited budget, including tips on "avoiding costly mistakes that many beginners make." Bonus: A section that lists "Over 1,000 Most Collectible Books and Authors." Best of all: It's fun. You'll learn how to scout for books at major book stores, used book sales, remainder bins, tag sales and more. If you already enjoy buying books, why not turn it into a hobby that pays?