Collecting books is — or should be — the great American past-time: It is a hobby for people of any financial level, age, race, and gender. This list is for anyone who has ever wondered what book collecting is all about or how to get started building a collection.
by Nancy Goldstone, Lawrence Goldstone
Through the entertaining story of how they developed their book collecting habit, the Goldstones debunk the notion of bibliophiles as tweed-wearing snobs.
by Nicholas A. Basbanes
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.
by William Rees-Mogg
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.
by Nicolas Barker, John Carter
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.
by Bern Marcowitz, Margot Rosenberg
This easy-to-read guidebook offers practical advice on how to repair, handle and store books so as to ensure their longevity.
by Bill McBride
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.
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. more...
About Ellen F. Brown
Ellen F. Brown is an award-winning freelance writer known for her stories about bookish subjects. A former rare book dealer and appraiser, she has taught classes on collecting at the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. Author of Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood, you can follow Ellen on Twitter for all things GWTW-related.
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