Book collecting guide
So you want to start a book collection - but not sure where to start? We have created a basic guide to starting a collection and understanding the terminology of booksellers. Our guide to book collecting covers many of the basic elements of book collecting from where to find rare and collectible books to caring for your collection. Happy book collecting.
Booksellers have their own language and jargon that they use to describe every possible detail on a book. At first it can be a little intimidating but once you learn the terminology it will help explain every detail of a book including its condition.
Our booksellers are experts in their fields. You will find a vast array of collectible and valuable books on any subject. Look through the directory to find a bookseller specializing in an area that interests you.
AbeBooks is proud to work closely with a number of bookseller associations around the world who are dedicated to upholding high professional bookselling standards.
AbeBooks regularly publishes fascinating features about a huge variety of bookish subjects, including rare books, book collecting, authors, publishers, and interesting characters in literature and notable anniversaries.
In celebration of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America's (ABAA) 75th anniversary, we interview dealers who are breaking the mold and re-defining the art of book collecting.
More collecting guides
Explore a vast library of collecting guides covering topics from valuable cookbooks and rare bibles, to vintage magazines and ephemera.
Postcards were collected right from the start, and are still sought after today by collectors of pop culture, photography, advertising, wartime memorabilia, local history, and many other categories.
1 Min Read
AbeBooks sold a first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for $88,140, one of only 500 copies printed. Do you have a valuable Harry Potter book? Learn more with our guide to collecting rare Harry Potter books.
In 1941, with Britain facing invasion by Germany, Collins published series of social history books called Britain in Pictures to create a record of British life. George Orwell, Graham Greene and Edith Sitwell were among the writers to contribute books. Today, these books are highly collectible.
1 Min Read
From Egyptian wall paintings and Greek sculptures to the emergence of abstract painting and Pop Art.
11 Min Read
Sandra Hindman is a leading expert on Medieval and Renaissance manuscript illumination. Professor Emerita of Art History at Northwestern University and owner of Les Enluminures, Sandra is author, co-author, or editor of more than 10 books, as well as numerous articles on history, illuminated manuscripts and medieval rings. AbeBooks posed a number of basic questions about medieval manuscripts and Sandra was kind enough to answer them.
6 Min Read
A limited edition book is one where the number of copies in the print run has been strictly defined prior to its issue, and that number is substantially less than a standard print run, and then no further print runs are issued after the first printing has sold out.
1 Min Read