 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home |
New |
Information |
Repairs |
Learning |
Children's Books |
Reader Books |
Fiction Books |
Books |
Series Book |
Us |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home |
New |
Information |
Repairs |
Learning |
Children's Books |
Reader Books |
Fiction Books |
Books |
Series Book |
Us |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Collecting Childrens books where to start, of coarse at the beginning with general information and comment. The hobby or passion of collecting childrens books has a very wide range of possible 1st tier catagories such as, Early Childrens Illustrated such as Wonder and Elf Books, Adolescent Series Readers such as the Hardy Boys Books, Early Reader School Primers, Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales among many others. Some possible 2nd tier collecting catagories are Author, Illustrator, Publisher, Topic, Vintage age or a combination of such criteria. An advanced collector very well may have a 3rd tier of interest. The collecting of children's books can be so wide ranging that a person will want to focus on certain areas of special interest. The most important aspect is to be sure your areas of collecting are your favorites and have a special meaning for you. Many times a certain childhood book long forgotten, but now remembered starts the quest and from there to collecting your childhood memories. My experience is that there is much personnel satisfaction in finding a keeper from your past, possibly a Little Golden Book or a Tell A Tale Book that was a Christmas Gift from Grandma. The collecting of childrens books does not need to be adversely expensive. Good collectible childrens books can at times still be found for less then a dollar at garage sales, trift stores, or estate sales. You will need to keep your eyes open, look under some rocks, and be ready when the opportunity presents itself. When purchasing buy the best condition available and that you can afford. As with collectibles and always paper items, condition means everything to value. A condition drop of excellent to good can mean a drop of 50%+ in value. Be observant of the total book before purchasing, look carefully at all pages, bindings, and covers, is the book complete, does it have a musty smell? Look at the illustrations are the colors bright without age fading? The defects mentioned affect value. If need be start with lesser quality but as you are able up grade the quality of the collection. Then use your lesser quality items as a starter for someone else or as a pure reader copy that you can happily enjoy. Some other factors that effect children's book value are Geographic Location, Popularity, Local collector demand, Seller competition. The most important piece of advise, "Do collect what you love", and not just for a possible monetary gain. As with all children there are accidents with their books, edge tears, soiling missing pages and loose bindings. Another problem can be animal and insect damage, Keep the cats at a distance and protect from book damaging insects. If you are going to be serious about collecting childrens books some basic book repair items on hand will be a good idea. with a little practice you will become proficient at basic repairs. {Please see our Book repairs Page at this Website.} Your choice children's books will need to have proper storage or display. There are nice display essels available or you may be able use a plate display stand. For larger collections closed glass door book cases will be nice. The best storage is lying the books flat, out of direct sun in a dry moister free environment with moderate temperature. There are protective book covers available of polyester, vinyl and polypropylene that will guard your book covers from accidental damage, and soiling. There are also book and magazine sleeves of plastic and polypropylene which I use myself. They can protect against insects and other inside damage. They are fast, easy to use and remove if needed. Never place books up against there opening edge, as that will stress and possibly break the spine or inside hinges. The question of first editions or printings is always a concern. There are some guide lines to indicate what is not a first edition, then through as process of elimination you come to what most likely is a first edition. This elimination method is not 100%. There are Internet Book Sites that specialize in the Idenification details of First Editions of the different publishers. Each publisher had differing methods of distinguishing first editions and as I write concerning books of specific publishers I will state my understanding of there methods. With older books you have distinction between a first edition and first printing. You can have a first edition 3rd printing or a second edition first printing. The newer books the terms edition and printing are more often inter-changable. It is all very confusing for people that do not work with it often. It can be confusing for people who deal in books daily. There are some books you never know quite for sure. In the end don't get to caught up in the editions in most cases with childrens books. Go ahead and collect a better condition copy of the book you have an attachment to before being concerned with it being the earliest edition. You can email me regarding your questions concerning childrens book collecting, and I will try to be of assistance. As is my life this page is a work in progress | Publisher Information | | Return Home | What's New | Purchasing Information | Book Repairs | Book Learning | Illustrated Children's Books | Early Reader Books | The Fiction Books | Non-Fiction Books | Juvenile Series Book | Contact Us | |
||
 |
 |
