So You Want to Collect Books as an Investment

As condensed from the latest Abebooks newsletter, for my knowledge.

BASICS OF BOOK COLLECTING

• First editions - they're the mainstay of book collecting, so always check the title page.
• Signed copies - the author's signature boosts value. (How to get that lah, not like authors do world book tours also)
  
• Hardcover - softcovers rarely become collectible. (NOW YOU TELL ME).
  
• Good Condition - always affects value, everyone wants a mint condition book. (Hear, hear!)
  
• Knowledge & passion - collect what you like and know (at worst you'll own books you adore)

A signed hardcover first edition in unread perfect condition is as good as it gets.

Key Factors in Collecting Books...

• Small print runs - unless a publisher thinks they have the next Harry Potter, first edition print runs from unknown writers are small. Printing mistakes can also curtail first print runs.
  
• Rave reviews - a glowing recommendation from the New York Times can put a book on the map. (That's every other book you see in the bookstore = P)
  
• Awards - literary prizes boost prices overnight. Check out shortlists and pick the winner. (Ditto)
  
• Movies - Hollywood can inflate prices but usually the book has already become collectible. (Ever noticed that the original edition's hard to find once a movie's been announced and all you see are the movie tie-in versions?)
  
• Controversy - banned books, court cases, or Oprah's wrath create publicity and boost value.
• Author R.I.P. - prices always increase after an author passes away. If the death is unexpected (such as David Foster Wallace or Hunter S Thompson), values rise very rapidly.

And of course, Father Time - be patient, take good care of your investments, and they will increase in value over time.