Modern Book Collecting discussion

Please take a moment to tell the community what type of books you like to collect, or just state your area(s) of interest.

Fantasy, young adult, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, classics. Right now I am looking for a good copy of the Aeniad, Grimm's Fairytales, Paradise Lost, and The divine Comedies.

Britt, you can post titles of your favorite books in this section if you wish. I put up an example.

Feel free to add if you wish.

Hi guys I think I found some great finds this past weekend but I don't know their worth. These are them if anyone has any info let me know.

Prose every Child Should know :Mary E. Burt 1907

The Adventures of Reddy Fox :Thornton W. Burgess First Edition (not sure about the year)

Miricle on 34th Street :Valentine Davies 1947

Ship of the Line C.S.Forester 1939

Garden Adventures in Winter :Clara Ingram Judson 1923

Picked these up for a total of 20 dollars in an antique shop. I think I got a fair deal but let me know what you think. I like Children's books as you can tell.

Britt,

As long as you love the books that's all that matters, monetary value is merely a perk.

It looks like Britt grabed quite a load for 20 bucks. Nice job.

Britt, do you have other books in the Hornblower series by Forester?

If that copy of Garden Adventures In Winter is Rand McNally & Company 1st edition, 1923. Hardcover in VG or better condition, I seen it sell for up to 100.00 USD.

My collection is quite eclectic, I like so many genre's that I find it hard to concentrate on specific authors. I usually buy what my wallet allows and I always buy something I have read and enjoyed,. That's really my only criteria, it must be a book I truly enjoyed.

The book in the Hornblower series was just something the owner pitched in as a gift. She doesn't move a lot of books in the town her store is in. I am the only one who has bought books in over a year there. She has her store in a bad neighborhood.
The copy of Garden Adventures is very bright in color I can't find another date other than 1923 in it so I guess it is first addition.

Thanks so much for the info you seem to know so much about this. I have to say people often give me books when someone in their family dies because they know I won't throw them away and they will be loved and taken care of. Its what got me into it, other than a love of books.

I am like you I love all books so when I see an old book covered in dust I have to pick it up and give it a new home. If I read it and love it I buy more from that author. I have a whole box full of Hardy Boys but I didn't enjoy them so I never finished the collection off.

Hi Brit,

The only reason I know about that garden book is because my wife hordes books on the subject, as far as the Hornblower books go, I had a few in that set when I was a kid. I wish I still had them.

Yeah I kick myself in the butt for letting my mom get rid of my hank the cowdog and goosebumps books. Now I have a son who I am trying to hunt down the books for. There are several that are no longer in print so I am having trouble.

Brit, dont let Joe fool you. He's always researching and hunting books. He likes to play it off, like he's not a book collecting nerd like the rest of us.

lol well it does tend to have people stereotype you. I am a book geek and proud of it. But I love all my ink. I am soon to get a tattoo celebrating my first essay publication, and I am getting a book on my leg, just can't decide of what. I will probably just end up getting a sleeve done of all my fav characters and symbols from books

Now that's dedication! :-)

Congratulations on the essay.

Thank you, I have seen a lot of people get quotes, books, symbols, I even seen a guy with a Snitch on his chest. A lot of Sherriylnn Kenyon's fans get ink of her bow and arrow symbol

Thank you. It will be in Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Reader's Choice. I am currently purchasing Goosebumps books for my son you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find some of them. One of them only has sellers in the UK! I am hoping to find some at flea markets, yard sells, and antique stores that are near my parents summer camp.

Well everyone my mom hit quite a deal. She bought some furniture at a yard sale and the woman shoved a box of children's books at her for free. It was a moving sale. Anyway she gave them to my two year old so I went through them. They are dated between the thirties and sixties. Looked a few of them up on Amazon and some in the same condition as the ones we have are going for a hundred dollars. Four of them are the really old fables and fairy tale collections!

Brittany wrote: "Well everyone my mom hit quite a deal. She bought some furniture at a yard sale and the woman shoved a box of children's books at her for free. It was a moving sale. Anyway she gave them to my two ..."

Hi Brittany,
Please share a few photo's or list the names of the books if you have the time.

I would be very interested in seeing the titles.

thanks

will do when my son's nap time comes today.

Well I am a sucker for old fable and fairy tale collections so here are a few of my favorites that she found for him.
1)Very Young Verses by Barbra Geismer and Antoinette Suter illustrated by Mildred Bronson. 1945
2)Enchanting Stories by Gertrude Hildreth illustrated by Abbot,Pitz,and Segner (last names) 1952
3)I Know A Story book 1 by Miriam Blaton Huber illustrated by Florence and Margaret Hoopes 1962

Really beautiful illustrations but there was also,
4) Monkey Island by Sarah Derman 1957
5) Jack and Janet by Paul McKee 1966
6) The Wishing Well by Selma Coughlan 1964
7) I know a Secret by Gertrude Hildreth 1940 (near perfect condition)
8) Let's Find Out What's big and What's Small by Charles and Martha Shapp 1959
9) Jack and Jim by Esphyr Slobodkina 1961
10) On A Blue Hill 1982 by Open Court Publishing Company
11) The Big Show by Paul McKee 1966

Hi Brit,
Thanks for posting the book list. I'm going to check up on a few of the titles. Are these all 1st edition, 1st printings?

OK, I found a few, I hope this info is of use to you.
What condition are your books in?

Monkey Island
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookD...

Jack and Janet
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookD...

The Wishing Well
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookD...

I Know A Secret
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookD...

Not sure on a few but as far as dates the ones I listed were the only ones I could find in them. Most of them are in excellent shape some have a couple markings in them but for the most part excellent.

lol not bad considering they were all free. My mom got lucky I guess...anyway can you believe she left another three boxes there because she didn't know if I'd want them.

Let us know what you find in the other boxes. I love researching books.

Will do, its amazing how many books just like these get burnt where I'm from. Hear of it happening all the time.

Book burning? That sounds appalling!

yeah no kidding. People literally shove boxes of books at me all the time. They say here I was going to burn it but you can take what you like and burn the rest. Whatever I don't keep goes to people I know who would enjoy them.

I collect Neil Gaiman works - audios, books, comics. Also, Alice Hoffman, Lowis Lowry and Madeleine L'Engle too.

sh have you read Son by Lowis Lowery, only one I don't have.

okay people I have some new old children's books. Got them for fifty cents a bag at the local elementary school's fall festival. Since all the schools here were consolidated they have books from ages ago. They are not first editions but they look great. Perfect copies some of which are not being printed anymore.

1) Tilly Witch by Don Freeman 1969
2) The Goblins Giggle and Other STories by Molly Bang 1973
3) The Old Witch goes to the Ball by Ida DeLage 1969
4) Witch on a Motorcycle by Marian Frances 1972
5) No Fighting No Biting by Else Holmelund Minarik 1978
6) Mouse Soup by Arnold Lobel 1983

Sarah wrote: "I collect Neil Gaiman works - audios, books, comics. Also, Alice Hoffman, Lowis Lowry and Madeleine L'Engle too."

Hi Sarah, welcome to the group. If your ever looking for a title or just need some info feel free to ask. my cousin is always researching and I'm sure he could answer any questions you may have.

BTW, I love the Sandman series.

Brittany wrote: "okay people I have some new old children's books. Got them for fifty cents a bag at the local elementary school's fall festival. Since all the schools here were consolidated they have books from ag..."

Another nice haul. maybe Joe will look some of these up for you. You said no 1st edition?

I think Tilly WItch was but none of the others since they were the Harper COllins Trophy Editions. All of them are in great shape though

Hello - Im New to the group - Joined today.
As far as collecting goes, I will collect all books! I do prefer books on spiritual/religious genres, horror, crime/serial killers, the holocaust and fairy tales.

I still have not changed my 'old' ways and i prefer hardbound books over eBooks. Although we do have a nook/kindle in the house, I'd rather have paper pages and a cup of tea :)

Hi Angelina, welcome to the group.

If you ever need help finding a title, or pricing titles you already own, simply start a thread and I'm sure you will get a response.

I agree Angelina real books are so great. Which I am not a technology lover.

Hi all, I haven't checked in for some time.

Angelina, welcome to the group.

I collect all Stephen King, horror books, Jean Auel, Dan Brown, Jackie Collins ( my secret collection) Patricia Cornwell there are many others but I have most of all the books of these authors. I read a wide variety of books. What can I say I'm addicted!!

Carrie wrote: "I collect all Stephen King, horror books, Jean Auel, Dan Brown, Jackie Collins ( my secret collection) Patricia Cornwell there are many others but I have most of all the books of these authors. I r..."

Carrie, do you collect 1st/1st HB's?

I try to collect 1st editions I have 1st editions of all Jean Auel and about 1/2 of my SK books are 1st editions. I'm pretty picky about my favorite authors. Which I guess we all are :)

Kevin not sure posting right! I do try to get 1st edition HB and been replacing some of my soft covers to HB 1st if possible. Just started collecting Tom Claney books. I am pretty picky about what books I do get though no ear marked pages I so hate when ppl do that! I have pretty good size collection our library sells some great stuff ppl donate that are in great condition. I log everything I buy lol.

What do you primarily collect?

Hi Carrie,
My collection revolves around the founders of "HOWL" (Horror/Occult Writers League), which is now known as Horror Writers Association.

Robert McCammon helped form the group along with Joe Lansdale and his wife. I also collect authors who have been president of the association. The list is long, but I have a handful of favorite such as Richard Laymon and Charles L. Grant. I also collect a few random horror authors who I find exceptional writers such as Greg F. Gifune and Peter Straub.

If I find a horror author I like, I usually add them to my collectable list, such as Brian Keene, F. Paul Wilson, and Clive Barker.

Kevin I also have some Peter Staub, I like him. I will have to look into the authors you mentioned have not read any of their books would take suggestions if you would like to give some. I have been trying to read outside of my normal authors. I have people I work with that give me books when they are done if I really like I keep if not so much I take to a book store Bookmans where you get credit to exchange for others. One of my favorite stores but it's also an evil store because I love my books lol!

Carrie, my favorite horror author is Richard Laymon. I enjoy his stripped down, straight forward approach to telling a story. His 1st/1st can be pricey to collect, but if you just want to try one of his books I would highly suggest "One Rainy Night", "In The Dark", "The Island", and "Body Rides". All can be found in pb editions but most likely only on the used market. Be warned - One Rainy Night is a violent book. It can get pretty gruesome at times.


Robert McCammon is also well worth reading. I highly recommend "Boys Life". It's a terrific read.

My primary collection is first edition Stephen King books. I have most of them, except the first couple (mainly because of $$$). I also collect first editions and/or special editions of books that I love. I also look for interesting vintage/antique books, but don't focus on that for collection - just see what catches my eye. I have also recently began snatching up and stockpiling used copies of books I enjoyed reading so that I can share with others.

Carrie wrote: "I collect all Stephen King, horror books, Jean Auel, Dan Brown, Jackie Collins ( my secret collection) Patricia Cornwell there are many others but I have most of all the books of these authors. I r..."

Carrie, it looks as if we have similar tastes. I have an extensive collection of SK 1st editions and also all the Auel books. I feel like a first edition DAVINCI CODE is like the holy grail. I see used copies all the time, but because there were so many printings and the market was so flooded, they are always later editions. I don't like spending a lot of $$$ (except for prime SK) so I rely on finding jewels at used books sales and flea markets. The hunt continues!

Kerry another great place to find books at great prices at least I've found at mine is the public library, I have replaced some of my books with 1st Editions that I've paid $.10 for yes 10 for a buck woohoo! Not sure all libraries do it but worth checking out people donate them for the library to make $ LOVE IT!!! Glad to see someone else likes to read what Ike :)

I have a 1st printing DaVinci Code I picked up at the Good Will. I've seen one or two more, but didn't buy them because I thought I might not be able to sell them. I don't get the sense most of his readers would care about a 1st, but maybe I'm wrong. Next time I see one, I'll have to pick it up and take a chance on it.

Mostly I collect Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror 1st edition/1st printings and PBOs. I also collect some children's books like Three Investigators and Cherry Ames. I also read mystery and a lot of other stuff, but stick to copies to read for the most part. I also collect comic books.

My favorite book in my collection is my Gregg Press copy of Dhalgren. I had Samuel R. Delany sign it for me at a convention and since it's such an ugly book, published without a DJ, I made my own dust jacket for it. Delany was impressed. He said I should be selling them. Another favorite is my Gollancz 1st edition of The Snail On The Slope by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, signed by both brothers, which I picked up at a World Con in the 90's. I don't think there are a lot of books out there they both signed. I rarely see signed material from them, which is why I grabbed it at the con. That, and this is my favorite of their books so far. I also have two copies of the Bantam paperback that was removed from publication when the Soviet government complained about the cover blurb.

Carrie wrote: "Kerry another great place to find books at great prices at least I've found at mine is the public library, I have replaced some of my books with 1st Editions that I've paid $.10 for yes 10 for a bu..."

The library book sales are more expensive where I am, but most libraries have them. Some are bigger than others. Check out www.Booksalefinder.com to see if there are others in your area. You can set it up with them to receive weekly e-mails to alert you of upcoming sales.

Kevin wrote: "Hi Carrie,
My collection revolves around the founders of "HOWL" (Horror/Occult Writers League), which is now known as Horror Writers Association.

Robert McCammon helped form the group along with J..."
for horror I enjoy my local independent publisher woodland press. It centers around WV a lot but there is a new mothman book out and they are huge with the hatfield and McCoy feud.

David wrote: "Carrie wrote: "Kerry another great place to find books at great prices at least I've found at mine is the public library, I have replaced some of my books with 1st Editions that I've paid $.10 for ..."

I believe The Davinci Code had quite a high printing. there should be many 1st/1st in circulation.