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Books

Judging a Book by Its Cover

Books have been valued throughout history - first for the knowledge and beauty of their contents - then for the beauty of their bindings and illustrations.

French Book of Hours - c. 1400

At first books were reproduced by hand, usually by monks in monasteries. Few people could read and fewer could afford these books.

The monks gave birth to the idea of beautifully hand illustrating just about every part of the page not containing the written word.

Books did not become widely available or affordable until the development of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg around 1493. This development revolutionized learning and the spread of ideas. Books were no longer restricted to monastic libraries, more people learned to read and knowledge once governed by a very few began to be disseminated throughout the world.

Books as Collectibles

Originally books coming off the printing press were still highly valued. In many cases they continued to be illustrated, sometimes with hand drawn or painted pictures. Bookbinding became an art and many books, especially those destined for the castles of the elite were elaborately bound in fine animal hides and decorated with gold leaf.

Alphabet for Gourmets Book Cover

The better examples of these books reside in private libraries, universities and museums. However, they are available. Fine auction houses and specialized book sellers can help you locate and purchase ancient books. However, they are not necessarily cheap - a single page from the Book of Hours pictured on the right cas sell for $1500 or more.

First Editions and Autographed Copies

A less expensive way to collect books is by seeking first editions or copies signed by the author. These still can be expensive depending on the author, the title and the condition of the book. However, there is a wide selection to choose from so the prices tend to be lower than for one of a kind medieval hand bound books.

Barnes and Noble has a large selection of Rare Books and First Editions. More importantly they have an easy to use search engine to help you locate what you are looking for.

You can also visit AbeBooks Rare and Antiquarian Book Room for another oustanding selection of books.

eBay has ongoing auctions and sales of Rare Books and First Edition Books.

A late-fifteenth- or early-sixteenth-century Italian binding

Late Fifteenth - Early Sixteenth Century Gold Tooled Binding
Princeton University

Be careful about spending a lot of money, especially on auction sites. Many of the offerings are of dubious value.

Modern Day Collectible Books

Another way to collect books is to buy modern day books especially bound, printed and illustrated for the collectible market.

One source of this type of book is the Folio Society. This company offers books that use the letterpress printing method. This method allows you to see and feel the indentation where each letter has been impressed into the page.

Text is designed by eye and set by hand. Paper is made of cotton mixed with pure wood fibers. The covers are sewn and bound by experienced craftsmen.

Finally the books are issued in small limited edition sets.

Presently the Folio Society offers over 150 titles in different categories such as children's books, modern and ancient history, classic literature and more.

For more information about these books please read my article about Folio Society Books.

Leather Bound Books

Another way to start a beautiful book collection is to buy sets of leather bound books.

Sets can either be matching, as the one pictured below or they can vary based on the author, subject matter or simply for design reasons.

Easton Press is one of the best publishers of fine quality leather bound books. Easton Press books are known for permanent satin ribbon page markers, thread sewn pages for strength and durability, elegant gilding, endsheets of rich moiré fabric, page edges, and beautiful illustrations by well-known artists.

Many titles are now out of print and highly collectible, but that doesn't mean you can't find treasured past and present editions at sites such as AbeBooks Rare Book Room.

For more about Easton Press, please read my article on Leather Bound Collectible Books.