Book Collecting [Hardcover]

Allen Ahearn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 1995

An updated, well-regarded handbook lists the estimated market values of thousands of first editions, including the works of more than five thousand authors, and features a section on prize-winners and a guide to antiquarian book-sellers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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 these stirrings begin, it is important to have some guideposts, and this book is like the firm hand of a wise old mentor, gently leading the novice down that most delicious garden path. It is also exceptionally comprehensive, and thus of great value to nearly every collector, even those with many years of experience and expertise.

Here, the reader can learn the rudiments of beginning a collection: how to find books, where to buy them, what to collect, how to store the treasures and care for them--and what not to do. No bookplates, no proud owner's signature. Get an embossing tool--in fact, get three--and burn them all, as they are the ruination of good books.

There is a great long list of first books, with approximate values in various decades, and a list of "High Spots of American Literature" and what happened to those prices over the past 60 years. There is so much more in this hefty (552 pages) tome that I could go on and on. If you think this is an area you would like to explore, or would like to know more about if you are already involved, you could not do better than to read this book and then add it to your permanent shelf of vital books. The authors have been running a rare-book business (Quill and Brush in Bethesda, Maryland) for more than 30 years and have produced numerous other volumes dealing with the seemingly arcane world of collectible books, all of which are reader (and collector) friendly. --Otto Penzler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

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 houses. All this information is available elsewhere, so collections that already include the standard references (e.g., Van Allen Bradley's The Book Collector's Handbook of Values , 1982. o. p.) can forego this one. Smaller libraries may want this and/or Joseph R. LeFontaine's Turning Paper to Gold ( LJ 7/88), which contains many, but not all, of the same features.
- Joseph Rosenblum, Univ. of North Carolina at Greensboro
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult (June 13, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399140492
• ISBN-13: 978-0399140495
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,083,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction to book collecting available, March 10, 2000

By 

Ken Lopez (hadley, ma, usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Book Collecting 2000 (Collected Books) (Hardcover)

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 to it all the time, because the Ahearns answer the questions I am asked repeatedly with clear and informative discussions. Each edition of this book has been the best available reference in its field, and each edition keeps getting better.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - especially for a gigantic list of "first books", August 3, 2001

By 

Daryl Anderson (Trumansburg, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Book Collecting 2000 (Collected Books) (Hardcover)

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 it wasn't simple. Although I had heard of the author, I did not recognize the book as her "first." Only a quick jaunt home to check some online listings confirmed its value. I anxiously returned to the sale hoping the book was still there... couldn't find it at first ! Someone had picked it up and then returned out of alphabetical order!

As a relatively new collector I just don't have the experience to always ID a "first book".

"Book Collecting 2000" supplies an ENORMOUS LISTING of first books (350+ pages out of 520) - with roughly 5000 entries. You can study it or bring it to a sale with you. The listings show estimated values from the 1986, 1995 and 2000 editions of the book and provide some cues about what sorts of books are gaining value at especially surprising rates.

In addition, the listings often supply additional information and "points" about the "firsts." This is, for example, the first general-use reference in which I've seen the dustjacket cover of John LeCarre's (1962)US first, "Call for the Dead", accurately described ("white dustwrapper"). Before buying "Book Collecting 2000" I had already invested $2 at another sale in a nice blue and tan version that turned out to be a stealth book club edition... disappointing but really a rather inexpensive way to learn what a "blindstamp" actually looks like!

Yes - this book is mostly lists, as the other negative review claimed. But I found all of them to be useful, especially so when combined into one source. These lists include Pulitzer, Hugo and PEN winners and the like, but also a very handy listing of author pseudonyms, nicely sorted alphabetically by both actual and pen name. An appendix contains a brief listing of publishers' formats for indicating first editions - it seems adequate but I have to admit that I still prefer my pocket-sized McBride for that. The "front material" (roughly 100 pages) is a decent overview of the wide range of information that a new collector needs to absorb. I think the Ellis book does a better job of this piece. But that just means I recommend buying both.

I now take this book with me to every sale!

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BOOK COLLECTING 2000, February 2, 2000

By 

"mjtbook" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Book Collecting 2000 (Collected Books) (Hardcover)

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!