How to Buy Rare Books : A Practical Guide to the Antiquarian Book Market

Phaidon - Christie's, Oxford, second impression, 1988. Cloth, small 4to, 25 cm,. 159 pp, 149 illustrations, 16 in colour. A well-written and intelligent general introduction to "serious" book collecting. "Book collectors may be born not made, but there are still rules and techniques to be learnt. What is morocco? Where can you buy a first edition of Keats? How do you buy at auction? How to Buy Rare Books aims to provide answers to basic but important questions like these. It gives new collectors all the information they need to get started - and some which even the experienced collector may find useful. The book trade is discussed in all its aspects: how to read catalogues, how books are priced and what the terms mean, what to look for and what to avoid, how to build a coherent collection, how old books were made and how they should be cared for. Fully illustrated with examples of famous and collectable books - as well as examples of what not to buy - the book is supplemented by a glossary of common terms, suggestions for following up your interests, and lists of the best bookshops in your area. Bargains can still be found, and whether you are paying £10 or £10,000 having a feel for the market and knowing what to look for in a book will pay dividends: here is a guide to help you to develop those skills." - from the blurb. Very Good in a dustwrapper with a slightly faded spine-panel.