Vintage Children's Books

How to buy

What makes a book valuable and collectible is firstly its Condition. You need the book to be in the best condition it possibly can, at best unread ( Mint / Extremely Fine). With early books the condition of the book will depend on how it has been treated over the years. Most collectors of vintage children's books are glad to have an example of a clean book, with all its pages and the spine intact. Some books came with a separate book cover and it is always desirable to have this as well. The next thing that affects its value, is if the printing is a First Edition which we shall explain later. Books often have many printings, and if you are collecting for value, First Editions are typically worth more. The more nearer the book is to the present day, the more important it is to have a First Edition. A “First” is generally accepted as being the first printing of the first edition. Finally, if the book is signed and if it comes with any additional material, be they letters, advertising material, bookmarks or gifts can add substantially to the desirability and value of the book.

The hardest thing any collector must do is to learn not to buy on impulse. You must keep your head and buy what appeals to you, at a price you can afford. I am not alone in believing that there are many, many gems of old children's book still out there awaiting discovery. They are lying forlorn and unloved at the bottom of boxes in old barns and out buildings, in country houses and urban attics. Some may be simply sitting there on the book shelf of a box room because the present owner does not place any value on the old book Aunty Bee gave father when he was a boy. If you are a true children's book collector you will have the urge to seek, hunt and find these lost treasures.

Here I will tell you something that you may not believe until you experience it for yourself. Never give up hope, because if you have set your heart on finding a particular book it will find you. I cannot count the number of times a particular book I found out about in my research has magically turned up, whether I was actively searching for it, or as “added” items in a box of books at auction or offered to me at a local charity shop.

There are four keywords that I highly recommend that will help you on your way. They are Perseverance, Experience, Caution and Hope. Like all collectors you need to make yourself an expert as far as you can in your chosen field. You must take every opportunity to to look at and learn from documentaries on the television, exhibitions at your museum and library. Go to book fairs and talk to the dealers and fellow collectors, they all started where you are now and are often more than willing to share there knowledge. Their experiences are priceless and it is the sort of help that cannot be bought. If they are reticent, then buy a cheap book off them, every dealer is willing to talk to a customer!

Attend the viewing days of specialist auctions even if the books are out of your price range. Talk to the auctioneer, ask him for tips, how he set the estimated prices in the catalogue. Seek out those bookshops that deal in what you like to collect. Read books and magazines devoted to children's books. Only in this way will you acquire the experience that will enable you to judge and evaluate the books you come across in your search.

Again and this worth repeating, Collecting children's Books is Fun. Buy what you “like”, at a price you can afford and you will not go far wrong, but with experience your collection will improve and so will your enjoyment.

 

 

 

Next...Collecting Firsts