Learn about your antiques and collectibles with Georgia Caraway

Books are one of the top fields for collectors today, but there are rules to follow if you are collecting for future value Mass-market trade and paperback books generally only have reading value Even new hardback books devalue as soon as you take them out of the bookstore, just like a car So remember these tips about buying books

Books with real potential value are:

1 1st editions, scarce books, and limited edition books

2 autographed books

3. an author’s first book (possibly)

4. books with famous illustrators

5. books with their original dust covers

6. in Mint, Fine, or Very Good condition

7. books that were made into movies

8. literary prize winners – Caldecott (Children), Edgar (mystery), Hugo (Sci Fi), National Book Award (best fiction) Newberry Metal (American Literature for Children), PEN/Faulkner Award (largest juried award for fiction), Pulitzer Award (awarded to an American author for fiction and for poetry)

Books with little value are:

1 Book Club Editions

Sights of Founders Day

2 Ex library

3 in poor condition – damaged (torn, scuffed)

4 later editions

5 published by Grosset & Dunlap – mostly reprint editions on poor quality paper6 best sellers with famous author if too many have been published (not rare)

Another secret is how to tell if a book is a first edition The book will:

1 be imprinted on the copyright page with the words “First Edition”

2. have a number Line –123456789

3. have a publication date on copyright page that matches the date on title page

4. have only one date on copyright page

Dr Georgia Caraway, former director of the Denton County Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Mercantile on April 25 In addition to Tips, Tools, & Techniques: Caring for Your Antiques and Collectibles, she has written four Denton history books and is working on a 5th history about the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo