Antiquarian books are the prized jewels of the literary world. More than being merely old books with delicate spines and pages, antiquarian books represent the history of one of man's greatest achievement: the printed word. These volumes are valued, treasured and protected as closely as the greatest works of art, objects of antiquity and rare treasures. Certain antiquarian books, in fact, are considered priceless. What defines an antiquarian book is typically either its author, like a first folio of William Shakespeare, or its subject matter, like a 15th century travel guide from an unknown writer. The prices of these books will vary, of course. Like the art world, they are worth as much as the market will pay for them, and these sums can get very high. First printings are typically the most valuable of any book, though if subsequent editions involved specific illustrations, or perhaps had a notable flaw, that can make them very valuable as well. Antiquarian books have become something of a cottage industry in the 20th and 21st century, with antique booksellers using every available means--stores, auctions, Internet sites--to fetch the best prices for their books. Many individuals make a living simply by buying and selling antiquarian books. Other businesses specialize in valuing books, in case a person is unsure of a particular book's value. Antiquarian books are by definition old, though how old is debatable. A gilt decorated cover made in the last 50 years will not be considered an antiquarian book, nor will a recent first edition or signed edition, though they may have their own value. |
