Penzler's Picks, July 2000: Huge numbers of readers I have known over the years have--sometimes reluctantly, always hesitantly, inevitably happily--decided that it was a good idea to take care of their books, save the ones they especially liked, and maybe even go so far as to get them autographed by their favorite authors. This is the beginning of bibliophilia, which can ultimately lead to bibliomania--the gentlest and happiest form of insanity. When...
This book presents a wealth of information to collectors, sellers, & those who just love books. As a value guide, the authors clearly state their goals as far as how to use the price information. It applies to the first printing of sepcific works (and the identification means for each publication are clearly listed) in very fine to fine condition. The authors also mention that the prices will be affected by lower & higher...
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Despite its title, this work is a brief but helpful introduction for the novice collector, with many useful tips on such matters as the importance of a book's condition. Its chief value lies in the various lists included: a catalog of authors' first books--heavily weighted to modern works--and their estimated value; a guide to identifying first editions; a glossary of booksellers' terms; and addresses of booksellers and auction...
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I just bought this book after having bought Ian Ellis's "Book Finds". I did so cautiously, since one negative review here specifically claimed the same buying "path". Not so for me. "Book Collecting 2000" is excellent for my needs and might be for you as well.I was nudged into active book collecting when I found an author's first edition of her first novel hidden in a book sale stack. For $3 I came to own a $300 book. But...
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This is not only a useful price guide, giving values for thousands of authors' first books and tracking those values through the two previous editions of this book, dating back 14 years, its introductory material on book collecting (over 100 pages) is the most thorough and succinct introduction to collecting that is available in one volume, anywhere. As a bookseller, I wish every collector read this, and I refer customers...
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I find the preliminary matter just about the best analysis of the world of contemporary book collecting as I can imagine. Excellent and thoughtful commentary by leading dealers in literary first editions. Works pretty good as a price guide too!
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