Notes From an Amateur Book Collector by Warren Bull
I have a collection of mystery
books. I started with the idea of buying hardback first editions in very good
or better condition that were signed by their authors. I wanted to have books
that reflected the history of mystery fiction. Since I am not unimaginably
rich, I knew some signed books would be way out of my price range. Knowing some authors did not sign many
books, I concluded that some of what I wanted would be unavailable. I did not
use first edition of the original publication as a criterion because of the
rarity of many books published long ago. I also knew that I could not possibly
buy a copy of every significant book in the history of mystery fiction. My plan
was to get enough books to make up a sketchy outline of that history.
As a collector, writer and reader,
I find satisfying one role undercuts another. A collector wants the best
condition possible. An unopened, unread book is great for a collector and not
so great for reader. Once read, a book is less valuable, like a new car driven
off a dealer’s lot, i.e. it is automatically used. A tattered paperback may be
a great read and stimulate ideas for writing, but it is rarely valuable as a
commodity.
I like books that are already used
that have points of interest about them. For example a have an armed services
edition of Wilkie Collins’s Moonstone. The
book is a paperback designed to fit in a military uniform pocket. I have no
idea how many books were made of that edition, I have not seen any others but there
could be millions of them. The condition is very good minus; it was the idea I
liked.
I have a copy of Rex Stout’s Champagne for One that he endorsed,
“April 28, 1959 For the National Jewish Hospital All Good Wishes.” The book
itself is a library book with stamps and markings from the National Jewish
Hospital. The condition is what you would expect from a used library book.
Still, because of the inscription I find it worth owning.
I also have I, Witness an anthology from Mystery Writers of America. As with
the other two there were books available in better condition. The book I bought
was signed or inscribed to Aaron Marc Stein by many of the authors. He was
presented with the book when he was named a grandmaster in 1979.
While every signed book is unique,
I enjoy seeking out the books that have a story attached to the physical book
itself.
Do you own any books like the ones
I described?
I love signed books, too. Your collection is quite unique, which is no surprise. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteMy mom-in-law found this book at a yard sale -- a perfectly boring one, to be sure, on economics or something, except that it had once belonged to J. Edgar Hoover, who had received it as a gift apparently.
ReplyDeleteWarren, I don't have any signed books that I know of that are old, but I do have quite a collection of old books many passed down by my father. I have "The Essays of Elia by Charles Lamb published from 1820-1823 in pretty sad condition. My brother-in-law, an old book collector, sent me "The Life of Nancy" by Sarah Orne Jewett published in 1890. I have "The Life of James Arram Garfield by William Ralston Balch, published in 1881, and acquired by my father in on Sept. 10, 1936. and Standards of Perfection The American Poultry Society put out in 1912. Everything you want to know about chickens is in there. Not that I've ever read it.
ReplyDeleteAttending mystery conferences, I've been able to collect a number of mysteries signed by the author. I find it hard to part with these books, especially those inscribed to me personally, even when my shelves are overflowing and the books need to find a good home.
ReplyDeleteI have a number of signed books, most contemporary. I like the idea of collecting first editions, but they are way out of my price range. I do think, if I ever came upon an uncut page book, I'd need to buy it for the novelty value. Have you ever seen one, Warren? I never have, but I have been told they still exist.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your collection, and keep us up to date.
We took the kids to meet Marc Brown, Rosemary Wells, and Norman Bridwell, and saved their autographed books with quick sketches of the characters.
ReplyDeleteI have a Victorian parlor table book passed down through the family: Queenly Women Crowned and Uncrowned (1885), with biographical sketches and "elegant steel engravings", about notables like Martha Washington and Madame de Stael. Riveting reading.
Warren, after I left an earlier message I went through more of my old books and found two by
ReplyDeleteA. Conan Doyle - "Micah Clark," and "White Company." Neither one of them have a publishing date, but the first pages may have come out. Either way, they're very old with fragile yellowed paper.