Tips for Building a Single-Title Collection

One of the joys of collecting rare books is that you can focus your collection around just about any theme you’d like: a specific author, a certain time period, or a favorite hobby. One popular way to build a collection is to focus on a single title. This approach can be a great way for novice collectors to begin, since they can choose a favorite title and work around that. It’s also an excellent strategy for more experienced collectors who may want to add greater depth to their rare book collections.

     
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Preserving Your Rare Books: Setting up and Maintaining Your Home Library

As a collector of rare books, your goal is to keep your collection in optimum shape. You’re careful with dust jackets and protect fragile books with clamshell cases. Even the way you shelve your rare books can impact their condition. It’s important that your home library provides the support and protection that rare books need.

Umberto Eco could use a few of these tips in his personal library!      
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Get Inspired for Summer Reading

Forget looking in the medicine cabinet—we all know that the best way to learn about someone is to peruse his bookshelves! And what better way to find inspiration for your own reading? If you’re looking for a new source of summer reading inspiration—or at least a good laugh--take a peek at what a few literary greats had in their own libraries.

     
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Grangerizing: The Predecessor to Modern-Day Scrapbooking?

It all began in 1769. John Granger published his Biographical History of England—without pictures. He did, however, include extra leaves in the book so that people could add their own illustrations. His readers took that cue, often pillaging other books for portraits to accompany the thumbnail biographies in Granger’s book.

     
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About this blog

How can I identify a first edition? Where do I learn about caring for books? How should I start collecting? Hear from librarians about amazing collections, learn about historic bindings or printing techniques, get to know other collectors. Whether you are just starting or looking for expert advice, chances are, you'll find something of interest on blogis librorum.

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