Books Tell You Why. All About Collecting Rare Books

How to Identify Random House First Editions

By Kristin Masters. Apr 8, 2013. 10:15 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Modern First Editions, Learn About Books

Random House is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. The publishing house was founded in 1927 by Americans Bennet Cerf and Donald Klopfer, who had acquired the Modern Library imprint from publisher Horace Liveright two years before. As for the name, Cerf said, "We just said we were going to publish a few books on the side at random," and Random House was born. The company entered reference publishing in 1947 with the American College Dictionary. Random House acquired Alfred A. Knopf, Inc in 1960 and Pantheon Books in 1961.

How to Identify First Editions from Alfred A. Knopf

By Kristin Masters. Mar 11, 2013. 11:44 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Modern First Editions, Learn About Books

If you collect rare books, identifying first editions is an important skill. Each publisher has developed its own own conventions for denoting first editions/first printings. Alfred A Knopf, Inc is an excellent example of a publishing house whose style of indicating first editions has stayed relatively consistent over the years, which isn't always the case.

Top Rare Books for the Month of March

By Kristin Masters. Mar 5, 2013. 1:22 PM.

Topics: Rare Books, Book Collecting, American Literature, Modern First Editions

March has arrived, and with it some seriously chilly weather; the "snowquester" looms on the mid-Atlantic, and Northern states are still digging their way out of the latest storms. Thus March has truly lived up to the adage "In like a lion, out like a lamb"! A few rare books that would be perfect for this month...

Should You Invest in Rare Books?

By Kristin Masters. Nov 6, 2012. 2:00 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Fine Press, Book Collecting, Modern First Editions

This article from the Wall Street Journal on book collecting is excellent. It details some ideas for getting additional benefits from your collection beyond just a possible financial return. Below are some points to help you answer questions such as 'should I invest in rare books?' and 'what's the best way to do so?' We hope you find these insights helpful.

A Quick Guide to Collecting Limited Editions

By Kristin Masters. Aug 21, 2012. 4:22 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Fine Press, Book Collecting, Modern First Editions

For rare book collectors, limited editions are often charming and interesting additions to collections. They generally differ from first editions not only because they are printed in purposely small numbers; limited editions are often published on higher quality paper, with more luxurious bindings.

When Mistakes Are Worth Money: Errata in Rare Books

By Kristin Masters. Aug 14, 2012. 4:25 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Book Collecting, Modern First Editions

In most industries, mistakes cost money--sometimes lots of money. In the world of rare books, however, mistakes can impact a book's value in a quite a different way. Called errata, mistakes made in books may include spelling errors, word omissions, or the use of a different word in place of the intended one.

Tom Clancy: Author, Investor, and...Insurance Agent?

By Kristin Masters. Apr 12, 2012. 6:15 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Literature, Modern First Editions

Today marks the 65th birthday of Tom Clancy! The author of countless action novels has inspired movies, video games, and even other writers. Best known for his tales of scientific thrillers, military science, and espionage, Clancy has gained significant recognition both in the US and abroad.

Happy Birthday, Gabo!

By Kristin Masters. Mar 5, 2012. 12:28 AM.

Topics: Literature, Nobel Prize Winners, Modern First Editions

Today is the 85^th birthday of legendary author Gabriel García Márquez. The Nobel laureate began his writing career as a journalist but established himself as one of the most important authors of the twentieth century. Heres a look at a few facts you probably didnt know about Gabriel García Márquez.

Our New Edgar Rice Burroughs Collection

By Kristin Masters. Aug 3, 2011. 4:47 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Book Collecting, Literature, Modern First Editions

Weve recently been lucky enough to acquire a beautiful collection of Edgar Rice Burroughs books. Best known for his Tarzan novels, Burroughs was one of the most prolific authors of the early 20^th century. His sci-fi and fantasy novels inspired a generation of writers, artists, producers, and even scientists.

Pentagon destroys thousands of copies of Army officer's memoir

By Joachim Koch. Sep 25, 2010. 5:43 PM.

Topics: Rare Books, Book Collecting, Modern First Editions, Book News

The Department of Defense recently purchased and destroyed thousands of copies of an Army Reserve officer's memoir in an effort to safeguard state secrets, a spokeswoman said Saturday.