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Whether you’re a true bibliophile or just someone who loves to read, book collecting is an enjoyable, and sometimes a profitable way to enhance a favorite hobby or past time. There are lots of ways to start collecting books. Avid readers are usually already book collectors because of the very nature of their hobby or past time - they love reading. Most avid readers are partial to certain types of books, whether they’re mysteries, science fiction, mens’ adventure or romance. Among these genres, the Avid Reader soon realizes that there are more science fiction books on the shelf than any other. Narrowing it down even more, Avid has a few favored authors and of those five or six, Starr Planet is by far the favorite.
Avid Reader may decide to start a Science Fiction book collection of Starr Planet’s titles. Avid might take it one step further and see just how many of Starr’s titles are first editions. First editions of certain authors’ works are sometimes very valuable. Value is determined by how popular an author has become. If Starr’s publisher only printed 2000 copies of her very first book and now, after her 10th consecutive best seller, Starr is wildly popular, then any one copy of her first novel could be very valuable. The mark-up is sometimes upwards of 2-3000 %, or more.
There are many other categories you might consider when beginning a book collection besides favorite authors. You could choose to collect works of a certain illustrators, or distinctive book formats (ie) miniature books or those in slip covers, certain types of bindings, award winners like the Pulitzer or Booker Prize, (or as in Avid’s case, Nebula award winners for Science Fiction). There’s ARC’s or advance reading copies, author’s first books, or only those signed by the author. You might decide you’d like to collect books published in the 1930’s, or ones printed a few hundred years ago. As for subjects, there are thousands to choose from, from books about Egyptian hieroglyphs to ones that discuss privvies built during Mediaeval times.
Caring for your book collection is also another important consideration. Whenever possible, books should be stored vertically and on a bookshelf. Never cram them tightly together. Damage could occur when taking a book on or off the shelf. Make sure that the volumes are never exposed to direct sunlight otherwise print fades and pages yellow. If you don’t have a lot of room in your house,it’s okay to store books in boxes. But again make sure to align them vertically in the box if you can. Also make sure the boxes are small enough for easy handling and can be tightly sealed to protect the books from various damaging elements.
Don’t store books in attics or basements. Both extremes - heat or possible damp or moisture - can be very detrimental for books. The ideal temperature to store them in is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and at a relative humidity of about 50%. A room with year round air conditioning is ideal. Mold or mildew is another consideration.
Advanced mold growth can do irreparable harm and make Starr Planet’s prized first editions virtually worthless. If mold does become a problem and it’s caught early enough, the best thing to do is move the books to a drier location and expose them to air or sunlight. Try and dust your books at regular intervals too, about once a year.
Mice, silver fish, cockroaches and other paper-loving pests can damage your book collection beyond repair. To avoid such infestations store your most prized books in individually sealed bags or air-tight containers. If you’re still having trouble with certain types of insidious pests, discuss the problem with a reputable exterminator.
Here’s a few more things, you, the Avid Book Collector can do to protect your everyday books and your prized book collection:
1) don’t eat or drink while reading unless you didn’t want to keep that particular volume in your collection anyway.
2) never read in the tub!
3) Don’t bend the book’s spine or dog ear the pages - that’s what book marks are for.
4) Never loan out your favorite books. If you do manage to get them back they’ll likely be returned in less than pristine condition.
5) Don’t write in your books - use personalised bookplates.
6) Keep favorite books on the bookshelf and not on the coffee table where visitors or pets can abuse them -- as coasters or chew toys.
For more ways to care for your valuable books, talk to your local librarian. He or she may be able to advise you or give you addtional information about book collecting. There are also Internet links that can help, advise or get you in contact with other avid book collectors.
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