Rare Books

Collectibles

Penrose Edition offerings aren’t limited to traditional books. We also have a variety other types of literary works available for purchase. Selections include comics, parchments, sheet music, and other ephemera. If you’re looking for something unusual check out the other printed collectibles for sale from Pen-Rose Editions.

Rare Books and Collectibles

Printed and bound books are becoming more and more collectible. With the advent of digital media, there was speculation that interest in the traditional forms of books, i.e. text printed on paper and bound between front and back covers, would gradually wane eventually leading to them becoming obsolete. The good news is that the frenzy over electronic versions of books, otherwise known as e-books, has itself begun to wane as the novelty factor has worn off. Many readers like the feel and smell of a traditional book and there is a growing interest in collecting personal libraries of favorite older books and periodicals. So what books are considered “collectible” and where do you find them? Read on for answers to those questions.

Buyers of rare books and special literary collections have an appreciation of a wide variety of items from the small or quirky printed matter such as comic books and musical scores to major works such as classic novels and poetry/prose selections. What makes a book “rare” or collectible could be its age, edition, or author’s inscription. The adage “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” fits here too. What one collector may see as worthless or uninteresting may be prized and highly sought after by another. The key in the rare book trade is matching the potential buyer with the type of literary works he or she finds valuable. Those interests can range from older historical non-fiction works to small colorful fiction children’s books. Some rare book collectors focus on major and minor literary figures in the fields of dramatic poetry, comedies, tragedies, and operas. Others are more interested in collecting strictly inscribed or autographed later literary works. In short, an old book isn’t necessarily valuable because it’s old or a signed book isn’t necessarily valuable because an author scribbled his or her name in it. The value of a book depends on a variety of factors and on what a buyer deems important.

So where does someone find rare and collectible books to treasure for themselves or to sell for a profit? The places to look for literary treasures are almost as varied as the types of books collectors are interested in. Some of the most common search locations include thrift stores, antique malls, and flea markets. One may have to search through thousands of books at these places to find good first edition or autographed copies of popular books but there’s a thrill in paying very little for a book that could potentially be worth much, much more. Another place to hunt for valuable books, especially the older antiquarian books, are estate sales and even garage sales. Quite often families are tasked with clearing out the homes of elderly or deceased relatives who may have had their own private libraries or book collections. Estate sales may include books and other literary works that have been gleaned from attics, basements, and personal libraries. The trick is finding copies that have been well-preserved and protected from water damage or improper handling. Book collectors may also use technology to help find treasured tomes. Internet bookselling sites such as Amazon, Abebooks, and Alibri can be good sources for collectible books but the prices will usually be higher as booksellers on these sights are usually more knowledgeable about the characteristics of what makes a book more valuable and price their books accordingly. Some of these booksellers may even be willing to negotiate a lower price for their books. There’s no guarantee that they will but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

We at Penrose Editions offer a variety of rare and collectible books and other unique printed materials for sale at competitive prices. We also welcome books on consignment for those who want to sell their books but don’t want to take the time and expense to create their own website to sell them on. Interested in selling your books? Contact Us and we’ll discuss the costs and process of adding your books to our listings.

We do not use a shopping cart. We deal directly with buyers and sellers. Interested buyers – please Contact Us.

Books will only be shipped to a United States address with prepayment using a PayPal Invoice.

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