Subject
Subject matter may have a lot to do with a book’s rarity, and some subjects are extremely desirable to collectors. For example, collectors covet children’s books in good condition, because children tend to treat books harshly. Copies of children’s books without torn pages, crayon marks and broken bindings would be considered rare, and first editions of Dr. Seuss books sell for thousands of dollars (Bakes). Monetary value aside, while they are rare and considered collector’s items, books such as 19th century Military manuals are often sold in used bookstores for around $50. Even with this minimal monetary value, these pieces are considered rare books.
Here are some other factors to consider:
- Location size plays a role in determining a book’s rarity. What this entails is depending on the location of where the book was found, this could serve to increase its rarity. For example, if the book is found within a small library or even a museum collection where the subject of the book pertains to the whole library’s or museum’s collection, this can be considered a factor that would increase the books rarity/value (NPS.gov, 2013).
- Does the book have ephemera? While not often discussed, this is a category of media that was never intended to last. Examples of ephemera include: signed and cashed checks, inaugural programs, and posters advertising a concert (Bakes). Blumberg had a number of ephemera in his collection, including a pocketbook with someone’s cashed checks, postcards, and tax and financial records.
Subject matter may have a lot to do with a book’s rarity, and some subjects are extremely desirable to collectors. For example, collectors covet children’s books in good condition, because children tend to treat books harshly. Copies of children’s books without torn pages, crayon marks and broken bindings would be considered rare, and first editions of Dr. Seuss books sell for thousands of dollars (Bakes). Monetary value aside, while they are rare and considered collector’s items, books such as 19th century Military manuals are often sold in used bookstores for around $50. Even with this minimal monetary value, these pieces are considered rare books.
Here are some other factors to consider:
- Location size plays a role in determining a book’s rarity. What this entails is depending on the location of where the book was found, this could serve to increase its rarity. For example, if the book is found within a small library or even a museum collection where the subject of the book pertains to the whole library’s or museum’s collection, this can be considered a factor that would increase the books rarity/value (NPS.gov, 2013).
- Does the book have ephemera? While not often discussed, this is a category of media that was never intended to last. Examples of ephemera include: signed and cashed checks, inaugural programs, and posters advertising a concert (Bakes). Blumberg had a number of ephemera in his collection, including a pocketbook with someone’s cashed checks, postcards, and tax and financial records.