Here, for everyone who treasures books, is professional advice on how to recognize those that have become rare and valuable. Whether it's a century's old book of poetry you found in the attic, you great-grandmother's favorite cookbook, or a classic from your childhood, this guide will help you determine if it's one of today's sought after collectibles. Find out:

The most up-to-date prices from auction and dealer sales
What to look for in determining value
How to evaluate quality and condition
Tips on caring for and displaying your collection

Fragmento. � Reproducci�n autorizada. Todos los derechos reservados.

Books: The Confident Collector ID & Price Guide

By Nance Wright

HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Copyright � 2008 Nance Wright
All right reserved.
ISBN: 9780380769414

Chapter One

Market Report

"Baby Boomers are redefining the market for rare books," says a February 1993 article in the Wall Street Journal publication "Smart Money." As the Baby Boomer generation has entered the market in recent years, it has brought a new mindset to the world of book collecting. It has turned the "popular" book into the collectible book. What's in and interesting has become what you collect; and "hot" new writers have become collectible overnight.

This new era of book collecting began with mysteries, detective stories, and science fiction, and now includes horror fiction and thrillers as well. Handsomely illustrated children's books, pop-ups, movie- and TV-related material, Disneyana, juvenile series books (meaning Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, and company), and early ("vintage") paperbacks, have now joined nineteenth-century literary first editions, fine bindings, color plate books, and others, at the active center of the book-collecting world.

The latest burst was led, some years ago, by Stephen King. The first editions of his earlier books (Carrie, 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, Night Shift, The Stand) go at the moment for $150 to $1,000. His limited editions can run up to $2,500.

First editions of Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October sell for $400 to $750, and Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire for $250 to over $550. The first of Sue Grafton's "alphabet series" of mysteries, "A" Is for Alibi, can go for as much as $850, while "B" Is for Burglar is worth $200 to $400.

With children's books, the first editions of the beloved classics—Winnie the Pooh, Charlotte's Web, The Secret Garden, Raggedy Ann, Anne of Green Gables, and many more—continue to be bought and sold at high figures. Among nonfiction works, the first public edition of the government printing of "The Smyth Report" on atomic energy is now offered for around $750. Contemporary histories of the fighting units in World War II are valued at $75 to $200 or more, depending on the unit.

Auction Results

The "Smart Money" article stated that since 1987, Sotheby's, Christie's, and New York-based Swann Galleries have produced over $182 million in their US book auctions alone. In the past year at Sotheby's, a first edition of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz sold for $39,600, and a first edition of Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon, estimated to go for about $5,000, brought $29,000 at the end of a bidding war; a presentation copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula sold for $44,000; F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby brought $14,300, and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, $19,800.

The Swann Gallery's March 1992 sale of the Jack Gorlin collection drew tremendous attention. Mr. Gorlin was an amateur fencer and dueler, and during his travels amassed a rare and valuable collection of books in his area of interest.

At Swann's fiftieth anniversary auction in April 1992, the celebrated Raymond Epstein collection was on the block. The books collected by Mr. Epstein over a forty-year period brought a total of over $327,000. Highlights included original editions of The Wealth of Nations at $26,400; Leaves of Grass, $30,000; The Tale of Peter Rabbit, $55,000; Gone With the Wind, $4,180; and Frankenstein, $30,800.

Continues...

Excerpted from Books: The Confident Collector ID & Price Guideby Nance Wright Copyright � 2008 by Nance Wright. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Kollectible & Rare Books
OK, U.S.A.

Condiciones de venta y env�o

Condiciones de venta

We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you've changed your mind about a book that you've ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days. Purchases by Oklahoma residents will be subject t0 applica...

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Si es un consumidor, puede rescindir el contrato de acuerdo con lo siguiente. Por consumidor se entiende cualquier persona f�sica que act�e con fines ajenos a su actividad comercial, empresarial, oficio o profesi�n.

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El periodo de desistimiento vencer� a los 14 d�as desde que usted, o un tercero que no sea el transportista e indicado por usted, adquiera la posesi�n f�sica del �ltimo bien o del �ltimo lote o pieza.

Para ejercer el derecho de desistimiento, complete de forma electr�nica y env�e una declaraci�n clara en nuestro sitio web, desde "Mis compras" en "Mi cuenta". Le enviaremos sin demora un acuse de recibo de dicho desistimiento a trav�s de un soporte duradero (por ejemplo, por correo electr�nico).

Para cumplir con el plazo de desistimiento, basta con que env�e su comunicaci�n relativa al ejercicio del derecho de desistimiento antes de que venza el periodo de desistimiento.

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Si rescinde este contrato, le reembolsaremos todos los pagos que hayamos recibido de usted, incluidos los gastos de env�o (excepto los gastos adicionales que surjan si elige un tipo de env�o que no sea el tipo de env�o est�ndar m�s econ�mico que ofrecemos).

Podemos hacer una deducci�n del reembolso por la p�rdida de valor de cualquier bien suministrado, si la p�rdida es el resultado de una manipulaci�n innecesaria por su parte.

Efectuaremos el reembolso sin demoras indebidas y, a m�s tardar, 14 d�as despu�s de que se nos informe de su decisi�n de rescindir este contrato.

Efectuaremos el reembolso utilizando el mismo medio de pago que utiliz� para la transacci�n inicial, a menos que haya acordado expresamente lo contrario; en cualquier caso, no incurrir� en ning�n cargo como resultado de dicho reembolso.

Podremos retener el reembolso hasta que hayamos recibido los bienes o hasta que nos haya presentado una prueba de que los ha devuelto, lo que ocurra primero.

Deber� devolver los bienes o entregarlos a Kollectible & Rare Books, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S.A., sin demoras indebidas y, en cualquier caso, en un plazo m�ximo de 14 d�as a partir del d�a en que nos comunique su desistimiento del presente contrato. El plazo se cumple si devuelve la mercanc�a antes de que venza el periodo de 14 d�as. Tendr� que asumir los gastos directos de devoluci�n de los bienes. Usted solo es responsable de la disminuci�n del valor de los bienes como resultado de una manipulaci�n distinta a la necesaria para establecer la naturaleza, las caracter�sticas y el funcionamiento de los bienes.

Excepciones al derecho de desistimiento

El derecho de desistimiento no se aplica a lo siguiente:

La entrega de peri�dicos, diarios o revistas, con la excepci�n de los contratos de suscripci�n; y
El suministro de contenido digital que no se proporcione en un soporte tangible (por ejemplo, en un CD o DVD) si, al hacer el pedido, acept� que pod�amos empezar a entregarlo y que no podr�a desistir una vez iniciada la entrega.

Condiciones de env�o

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Tarifas de env�o en Estados Unidos de America

Tarifas de env�o en Estados Unidos de America
Cantidad del pedido	De 5 a 14 d�as h�biles	De 5 a 14 d�as h�biles
Primer art�culo	EUR 5.46	EUR 10.93

Los plazos de entrega los establecen los vendedores y var�an seg�n el transportista y la ubicaci�n. Los pedidos que pasan por la aduana pueden sufrir retrasos y los compradores son responsables de los aranceles o tarifas asociadas. Los vendedores pueden ponerse en contacto con usted en relaci�n con cargos adicionales para cubrir cualquier aumento en los costes de env�o de los art�culos.