The paper cover that protects a hard back book is best known as a dust jacket. The original intent of a dust jacket was to protect a book from damage done during shipping or from the damage inflicted from being pulled frequently off a shelf. Dust jackets were originally meant to be thrown away once the book was ready to read. Many people still discard these paper covers, finding them a nuisance while reading. Others, however, now protect their dust jackets because what was once meant to be thrown away has become an important part of the book, especially to collectors.
Dust jackets began to appear as early as the 1830’s, but there are very few still in existence that date from before the 1880’s. They became of interest to collectors in the 1920’s, and it is only from then on did people begin to consider these paper covers important enough to preserve. In fact, they have become so important that the value of most modern collectable books is greatly affected by the condition of their dust jackets.
How much does a dust jacket increase the value of a book? It depends on a few things. The condition of the dust jacket (along with the book), the edition and printing of the book, the scarcity of the book, and the demand for the book are all factors in determining the worth a dust jacket can bring to a sought after edition.
Take Stephen King’s The Shining as an example of the difference a dust jacket can make in the value of a book. A search for it on a reputable book selling website found the following results. A first printing of the first edition without a dust jacket had a price of $34.05. The same edition with a dust jacket that had some damage (price-clipped, chipping in spots, fading to spine) had a price in the $300’s. But a copy with a dust jacket in near fine condition had a price of $799. Of course, a book is only worth that much if someone is willing to pay that much for it, but it’s easy to see the difference a well protected dust jacket can make.
It is not easy to know when a book is first published if it will be in demand to collectors down the road. However, with the possibility of a book’s value increasing greatly with the presence of a dust jacket in good condition, it is worth protecting the dust jacket of a book that you intend to keep. Here are some ways to keep your dust jackets in good condition.
- Keep the dust jackets (and books) out of heat and humidity. Do not store them in basements or attics where temperature and humidity fluctuate.
- Do not cut the price from the inside flap of the dust jacket, even if you are giving the book as a gift. This is known as price clipping. Even if the rest of the dust jacket is in really good condition, price clipping can decrease the book’s value.
- Never write on the dust jacket, even in pencil.
- Do not use your book as a coaster. Many a good dust jacket has been ruined by a ring left from a glass.
- Keep your books away from sunlight. One of the most common damages to dust jackets is known as “sunning to the spine.” This occurs when the spine of the book has faded because of exposure to sunlight while sitting on a shelf.
- Be careful when removing and replacing books onto a shelf. Slight tearing can occur from carelessness.
- If a rip or tear does occur, never repair it with tape, glue, paperclips, or anything else. This will cause more damage.
- For the most protection, a clear Mylar cover can be purchased to place over the dust jacket to protect it from stains, rips and dirt. It will also stop further tearing to rips that already exist. These inexpensive dust jackets for your dust jackets are sold at many used book sellers and many online stores.
By following these guidelines for protecting the paper cover that protects your hard back books, you are preserving more than just the dust jacket. You are preserving the value of the book. You never know when the book you buy for $25 today may be worth $100’s in the future.
