The Personal Property Appraisers Post

Well it really makes no difference. Remember, as appraisers or collectors or dealers, we should not be overly concerned with what backing it has but rather what the CONTENT is! Now some will argue that they have a superior library because its filled with fine, hard back, first editions. Again, you shouldn’t care. You should only care about what is inside between the covers. It’s the content that matters most. Now bear in mind that typically most books when they are published will sometimes (or not) come out first in a hard back edition with following editions being in soft back. This is for one simple reason.... cost. It’s cheaper to have a soft cover than it is a hard cover. Often when books are reprinted the publisher/author will take this opportunity to revise the printing. Sometimes this is done in regards to newly found information or a price guide listing update (these should always be taken at face value, as most are out of date even when newly listed) or any other number of factors. Make sure that you have the correct edition for your needs. You don't want to have old information when there is a newly revised edition with needed information just out on the market. Examine these newly re-printed books and evaluate whether you need this new edition or not.

Warning!!! Often publishers will only change a dust jacket or a book's pictorial covers to freshen it up. Sometimes they will even state REVISED on the front or inside. The only thing that has changed is the cover, the information is often the same. Be careful not to fall for this costly trap. (To Read the Rest of the article click the Read More Link below).

Where ever you can is a simple statement. On a regular basis hit garage sales, auctions, flea markets, used book stores, and, of course, the internet. You shouldn’t care where they come from, just that you get them. A collector or appraiser should gather no cachet from being able to say that they spent x number of dollars by shopping at an expensive retail store. Now some will argue that they have superior libraries because they only buy retail. There are some people out there who only want to buy their books brand new from big box retailers. If you have the money for that, well good for you! However, wouldn’t you rather buy the same book at a cheaper price and then be able to buy more books somewhere else later. Shop around-you'll find it elsewhere, guaranteed. Remember that many titles have been out of print for decades. So you'll have to buy second hand. The internet is a great source for getting the most value for your book budget. There are dozens of sites out there selling used books and some especially geared towards reference materials.

So will there be times that you’ll have to pay a lot of money for a first edition or rare title that you must have? Of course. Sometimes there is just no alternative than to pay a high price when its something you need. You could have several examples of books that you keep-a pretty / signed copy on the shelf with a mylar wrapper on the dust jacket, and, sitting right beside will be the copy that you’ll use on a regular basis, dog eared, highlighted, annotated and finger stained. If you're the type of appraiser or collector that makes notes in his or her reference books, don't feel as though you have to stop this habit. Just buy an inexpensive reading copy and highlight and make notations in that one. Don't ruin a book that in the future could be resold at a profit by covering it in pen or magic marker marks. Even if you can't find another copy that’s why we have copiers.

Oftentimes regional theme books will have a limited printing. These books rest mainly in a niche market relating to those who actively deal in such regional subjects. Pay attention to supply and demand. Many times, demand will far outweigh supply and the suggested retail price can greatly increase when that supply is depleted. It may prove beneficial to you if you include multiple copies of these regional books in your library. With luck, in the future you might be able to sell one of these stock-piled copies for a handsome profit. So keep that in mind when you’re purchasing books on a retail level.