The Best Books about Book Collecting

Through the entertaining story of how they developed their book collecting habit, the Goldstones debunk the notion of bibliophiles as tweed-wearing snobs.

Nicholas Basbanes is a leading authority on books about books. In A Gentle Madness..., he takes the reader on a journey through the history of book collecting and explores the lives of several fascinating collectors.

Rees-Mogg offers a thorough and organized overview of what book collecting is all about. This is the sort of volume you are likely to read more than once. You may even find yourself taking notes and highlighting key passages for future reference.

In their witty and informative lexicon of the terminology used by book collectors and dealers, Carter and Barker answer burning questions such as "what is the difference between a first edition and first printing" and offer insider tips on assessing the condition of books and buying at auction. ABC for Book Collectors is a must-read for anyone trying to decipher book descriptions in catalogs or online listings.

This easy-to-read guidebook offers practical advice on how to repair, handle and store books so as to ensure their longevity.

Savvy collectors keep this handy reference tool at the ready whenever they're book hunting. It contains a remarkable amount of useful information for such a slim volume.