Book Collecting: A Comprehensive Guide

Ahearn, Allen

ISBN 10: 0399134565 / ISBN 13: 9780399134562

Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1989

About this Item

First Edition. Inscribed by the author on the title page, "To Bob who has promised to buy anything we ever publish in the future. Thanks, Allen Ahearn." Hardcover; quarter black and maroon paper over boards; gilt spine titles; 320 pp.; some b/w illustrations; slight wear to extremities, else clean and crisp. A near fine copy in like jacket. Protected in a Brodart cover. Seller Inventory # 004126

Bibliographic Details

Title: Book Collecting: A Comprehensive Guide

Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York

Publication Date: 1989

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis:

For anyone interested in book collecting as either a hobby or an investment, Book Collecting is a useful, informative reference book that's not only a must by a treat. Hardcover. Original jacket. Number line counts down to 1. Light rubbing and edge wear. Jacket has light edge wear. VG/VG.

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