Collecting rare books is a hobby, a passion and an art form. Here at World of Rare Books, we have compiled a brief guide to help you along your way in collecting vintage books. So, whether you are just starting out or if you have been a lifelong collector, we hope our tips are helpful.
- Collecting for personal taste, on a budget.
We understand that each book we sell has a story for its new-found owner. It could be a nostalgic tale from a childhood, or perhaps you are looking for your favourite author but at a price that won’t break the bank. We take great pride in valuing all our books and we aim to describe them accurately in order to get the best condition vintage books sent straight to you.
At World of Rare Books, we offer fantastic bundles at the best prices which means you can start a great collection for less with us! Want to collect the complete James Bond series with a specific cover image? No problem! We have all the 007 you will possibly need. Perhaps you want to begin collecting the queen of crimes greatest novels? Yes, Agatha Christie at the best price.
- Collecting books written by your favourite author.
An easy place to start, simply choose an inspiring author that really speaks to you, and you can then begin your search for their entire collection of work.
The aim at the end of this would be to own every piece of an author’s work, which can be incredibly ambitious, potentially expensive and sometimes simply impossible task. So, we advise not to get overwhelmed even though that is easy to do if your goal is to collect all the works of Charles Dickens!
Patience is key, your collection will be completed in no time.
- Collecting books about a certain topic.
We see many customers collect books around a specific topic, from focusing on a particular sport, an event in history or even a part of the country/world!
Such collections can get slightly too broad for a book collection so we advise that you whittle down a potential World War II era interest down to a particular battle, Churchill and politics at that time or fiction written during or about the war.
- Collecting books based on their looks.
We are always told not to judge a book by its cover, but we just can’t help it, with absolutely stunning Folio editions of the great classics, they are just a wonderful addition to any growing book collection.
Let’s not forget to mention leather-bound books, if you are looking to create a truly amazing collection for a study or even a personal space at home, a collection of leather-bound books will fill your shelves with the regal feel of a wealthy straight out of Downton!
- Let’s not forget… Collecting for fun!
Collecting books should be fun, to watch your collection grow into a great masterpiece of work, is very satisfying. If you don’t have a set theme, or a favourite author and just appreciate a great vintage book then this would be the path for you. So, don’t set an end goal for your book collection, add to it as a hobby and watch it grow.
We recommend that you start a small collection with an easy focus. Learn the terms of the book collector’s world, so you know what to look for, and more importantly what you are paying for. You can browse our condition guide here (https://www.worldofrarebooks.com/condition-guide) for our quality control criteria.
Make sure you tell us in the comments below, how you started your collection and what you look for in your rare finds. Anything missing from your collection? Shop here at World of Rare Books for great vintage reads!