Comics

Books Rare

Antique Book Prices

Antique book prices are determined by a number of factors. Collecting antique books has become a popular hobby not only because of the potential profit when selling them, but because of the desire to read them and learn about the history behind them.

What makes a Book Antique?

Books do not become antiques simply because they've reached a particular age. Many books from the 1900s have minimal value. First editions are usually antique because they were written by famous authors before becoming famous. Four top priorities in making a book an antique and determining antique book prices are:

#1 - Importance of Material

The contents of a first edition book make it more valuable. The following types of books are considered to be "important" and can increase the value of a book:

* Historical or other literary volumes

* Initial reports of scientific discoveries or inventions

* Illustrated books that give a new interpretation of text

* Books of popular artists complete with their illustrations

* Banned, censored or suppressed publications

Others factors that make a book important include:

* 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 - Many people think that encyclopedias are antique. This is generally not the case because of the amount of copies that are created. There are only a few exceptions to this rule. The 1911 edition of Encyclopedia Britannica could be an exception. Also, sets of encyclopedias that were published before 1800 may have some market value. However, you will want the complete set.

* 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.

Now, you can dedicate your time looking for more valuable books rather than the not-so-rare books listed above.

#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 looks as perfect as it did the day it was released over 100 years ago. Good condition is when it is almost perfect. Pages are still intact, but are not as crisp due to being used. There should not be any defects. Poor condition is when the book has been used and there could be a tear in a page or on the binder. They are even considered to be poor when the pages have yellowed.

Maintaining the Condition of Antique Books

Once you start collecting rare books, you will want to ensure they keep their value. Books can become damaged by environmental factors that may not even enter your mind. Here are just a few:

* 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.

Do Not Store Books in the Following Locations:

* Basements

* Garages

* Attics

These locations are generally too wet/damp, too hot, or simply fluctuate in their humidity or temperature.

Other Suggestions for the Storage of Antique Books:

* Do not wrap plastic around books. This will decrease the circulation of air, causing mold or mildew to grow. Plastics will also degrade over the years which may result in the plastic fusing together with the book.

* Never wrap books in newspaper or store them in a cardboard box. There is acid in the cardboard, as well as in newspaper. This will damage the books.

* Never use adhesive tape to repair pages that are torn. This type of tape will yellow with age and leave a residue. There are protective coverings available for storing fragile books.

* Do not place larger books, like art portfolios or atlases upright on the shelf. This may cause the book to slump and curve. Storing them flat on the shelf will prevent this from occurring.

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.

About the Author

For information on antique book prices, visit AntiquingAuthority.com.

Occult Books (A few of my Rare Editions.)