Some people love to collect books, despite that they don’t know the real value of them, until one day, they earn a lot of money because one of their books becomes valuable, and they begin to pay attention to the value of books. Therefore, how to judge the value of a book becomes a hot topic among book collectors. Now I will list some opinions which will help you judge value of books.
Opinion 1 To judge book value by its cover.
First edition with number row and “First published” or “First printing”
To check for a first edition, look on the copyright page for a series of numbers that should run in reverse order from 10 to one Publishers also use terms like “First published” or “First printing.” Generally, if the single character 1 or A appears in the row, it is a first printing. It may appear at the beginning or the end of the row.
For example:
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
However, later printings may still have the words "First Edition" while the number row indicates a later printing. The lowest number in the row shows which printing this copy is. If the lowest number is a 3, then you have a third printing (of no particular value).
Additionally, significant authors may also be published in limited or special editions, perhaps with a special deluxe binding, signed by the author and limited to a small number printed. These are usually collected also, although marketplace demand governs which can command a premium price.
First edition without number row
Earlier this century (and sometimes today), publishers did not use the number row. They simply printed a date on the title page and did not specify any later printings on the copyright page. Usually, if the copyright date and the date printed on the title page match, you have a first printing.
Opinion 2 To judge the book value by its condition
The next critical issue with regard to value is a book's condition. Collectors want the best condition they can get; if a book has never been opened, so much the better. The best collectible condition is a pristine book, very crisp, with no previous owner's bookplate, name, markings, or dog-eared pages. However, some books look attractive but they lack collecting value.
Besides, If the book was issued with a dust jacket, the jacket must be present and in pristine condition, it should not be price-clipped, taped to the book, creased, rubbed, wrinkled or torn. No pieces missing or little chips gone.
Today, except some university presses who do not print the price on the dust jacket, the book’s price will be printed on the dust jacket flap by most the large retail publishers. If there is no price, the book may be a Book Club edition, which is no much value.
In addition, the dust jacket contributes as much as 75-85% of the value of the book in today’s market. So, it is necessary to keep the dust jacket, even if it is in bad condition.
Opinion 3 To judge the book value by its age
Many people think that the old books has more value than modern books, however some persons consider that the age of a book has little to do with its value. However, the fact is that today's collectible market seems to be more interested in modern books than in the classics. What’s your opinion?
Opinion 1 To judge book value by its cover.
First edition with number row and “First published” or “First printing”
To check for a first edition, look on the copyright page for a series of numbers that should run in reverse order from 10 to one Publishers also use terms like “First published” or “First printing.” Generally, if the single character 1 or A appears in the row, it is a first printing. It may appear at the beginning or the end of the row.
For example:
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
However, later printings may still have the words "First Edition" while the number row indicates a later printing. The lowest number in the row shows which printing this copy is. If the lowest number is a 3, then you have a third printing (of no particular value).
Additionally, significant authors may also be published in limited or special editions, perhaps with a special deluxe binding, signed by the author and limited to a small number printed. These are usually collected also, although marketplace demand governs which can command a premium price.
First edition without number row
Earlier this century (and sometimes today), publishers did not use the number row. They simply printed a date on the title page and did not specify any later printings on the copyright page. Usually, if the copyright date and the date printed on the title page match, you have a first printing.
Opinion 2 To judge the book value by its condition
The next critical issue with regard to value is a book's condition. Collectors want the best condition they can get; if a book has never been opened, so much the better. The best collectible condition is a pristine book, very crisp, with no previous owner's bookplate, name, markings, or dog-eared pages. However, some books look attractive but they lack collecting value.
Besides, If the book was issued with a dust jacket, the jacket must be present and in pristine condition, it should not be price-clipped, taped to the book, creased, rubbed, wrinkled or torn. No pieces missing or little chips gone.
Today, except some university presses who do not print the price on the dust jacket, the book’s price will be printed on the dust jacket flap by most the large retail publishers. If there is no price, the book may be a Book Club edition, which is no much value.
In addition, the dust jacket contributes as much as 75-85% of the value of the book in today’s market. So, it is necessary to keep the dust jacket, even if it is in bad condition.
Opinion 3 To judge the book value by its age
Many people think that the old books has more value than modern books, however some persons consider that the age of a book has little to do with its value. However, the fact is that today's collectible market seems to be more interested in modern books than in the classics. What’s your opinion?
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