Tips for Collectors

 

Today’s fast-paced online auctions offer a unique opportunity to acquire rare titles that are seldom found elsewhere.  Typically, the sellers are not experienced book dealers, but rather just people with merchandise.  As always, one must be careful when buying such sight-unseen items (even with scans).  Remember, the value of a rare First Edition, First Printing varies greatly depending upon the condition of the book, and even more so the dustjacket.    Just as we have the old real estate cliché, Location, Location, Location, you would be equally justified to remember a similar mantra for collectibles – Condition, Condition, Condition.  So here are a few tips that may prove helpful in getting what you expect when bidding top dollar.

 

 

Book Condition Checklist:

 

Book Binding:

Is there any internal writing or bookplate?

Is binding color strong or faded?  Is any lettering on binding rubbed or faded?

Determine extent of any spotting/fading on binding?  Is there any noticeable discoloration? 

Is there any indication of water/moisture stain/spotting or discoloring (check reverse too)??

Are any corners bumped, bent or rubbed through cloth??

Is any of cloth on binding worn through or frayed? 

Is there any tape or glue on book??

Is stitching on binding separated/unraveling? 

Is hinge strong & tight?? If not, is hinge just starting, loose or separated and is webbing showing through at hinge cracks?? 

Are front and rear boards tight or loose?

Is spine square or slanted/cocked?

Has book (cloth, boards, stitching) been repaired, reconditioned or restored.

 

 

Pages & Illustrations:

Are any pages, endpages, illustrations/frontispiece, plates/glossies or appliques missing/loose/detached??

Are any pages/illustrations torn, bent, dog-eared, creased, discolored or written on??

Are pages creamy white??  If not, is there any foxing, brittling or yellowing/browning to pages and/or wartime paper?? 

 

 

Dustjacket:

Determine the location & extent of any chips, tears, creases or price-clipping to the dustjacket

Are there any chips or tears which affect lettering, logo or artwork of dustjacket on front, rear or spine??

Determine the extent of any fading and/or darkening, particularly to the front and spine of the dustjacket.

When checking color fade, pay attention to the more photosensitive red and orange colors as they fade more rapidly.

Is there any indication of water/moisture stain/spotting or discoloring (check reverse too)??

Is there any tape on jacket (particularly on reverse/blind side)??

Has jacket been repaired, retouched or restored??

 

 

Many people are now adding reproduced dustjackets.  Some are color photocopies, others are retouched and printed on laser or inkjet printers.  Keep in mind that a recreated dustjacket significantly improves the aesthetic appeal of the book and allows an opportunity to enjoy the original artwork, however it does not even approach the value of an original dustjacket.   Please check carefully to be certain if the dustjacket is original by checking the dimensions of the dustjacket particularly along the inner flap edges for any text cutoff.  Also, closely observe the detail and texture of the artwork in shadowed areas and check edges to see if any chips, tears or creases have been reproduced in a black or white color.