Serious Book Collectors

[Dave G]

I’m a newly minted member of this forum - after a lengthy and enjoyable period of visiting. By way of introduction I am a long-time collector of WWI/WWII military books and militaria from the same period. For the last several months I’ve been impressed by the consistently intelligent and civilized discussion of books on this forum. I am curious as to how many of you frequent contributors or readers of this forum consider yourselves serious book collectors as opposed to readers or “book accumulators”. I realize that at times you can be all but to my mind a serious collector is one who takes a more strategic (or is that compulsive) approach to building a collection, usually with some specific criteria and focus. For example, a reprint of a rare work might suffice for a reader but would ultimately be unacceptable as anything other than a placeholder for a serious collector and a serious collector would be willing to pay a premium for the original edition. A serious collector might be more clinical in his or her approach to acquiring books taking care to note such things as states, points, editions, price-clipped jackets, condition and the like. I would be interested in hearing your comments. In a future thread I would like to discuss the current state of military book collecting in more detail.

All the best,

Dave

[HarryBettsMCDCM]

Welcome Newly Minted Dave!

I think your observations apply in General to Collectors; {Both Within & Off Forum}We all strive for the "Better" Quality items for our Collections,& Occasionally might include items that serve as Space fillers until a better version turns up,With Books I appreciate there is the variation of Later Editions,Dust Jackets,Price Clipping,Bindings, etc;as well as the usual considerations of Condiition & Scarcity.It will be interesting to read your further Postings,From A Serial Accumulator,{Aspiring to be a Book Collector}

[Paul Reed]

An interesting one...

In the days before battlefield guide books (except ones published in the 20s/30s) the only way to understand the ground and get the most out of a visit was to read memoirs and unit histories, and acquire trench maps to work out where things were - and then see what was there now. I was lucky that I started 'collecting' this sort of stuff at at time when you could still find it easily. Over the years I continued to concentrate on unit histories and memoirs, as these are of course primary sources for any historian. Personally I was never interested in condition and edition, just acquiring the book to read, but always being on the look-out for the elusive ones. While I still pick up one or two titles in the Shell Hole at Ypres, it is now of course both much easier to find books but harder to buy them... the cost having risen a little since I paid 20p for a copy of the 2/20th Londons battalion history in the 70s!

But even if you acquire a 'working library' - which is what I would say I have - books will work their way into you and they will become an indulgence, a joy and a love... and so they should, really!

[marc leroux]

But even if you acquire a 'working library' - which is what I would say I have - books will work their way into you and they will become an indulgence, a joy and a love... and so they should, really!

Paul, I could not have put it better.

I also have a 'working' library. If I decide that I 'need' a book, I will check around and try to pick up the best available that I can afford, or that seems reasonable.

I'm not sure that I consider myself a collector. I tend to read (or use as reference) everything I get. I'm definitatly not a speculator, I have no intention of reselling. My wife, on the other hand, is convinced that the best word to describe me with respect to books is 'obsessed'.

marc

[Guest Pete Wood]

I now find myself in the position where I no longer buy one or two books every week. My 'general histories' share equal shelf space with specialist books.

New, specialist books aren't written often but, thanks to previews on the web, I often order them well in advance of publication. I'm rarely disappointed and happy to pay the price which, anyone who has done research will vouch I'm sure, always represent excellent value for money.

So I spend less time at Waterstones, and more time browsing second-hand dealers' list.

My only regret is that 'my' hard-core books often tend to be small and leave me wishing for just one more chapter, but I'm not at the stage where I will only buy a first edition with mint jackets.... yet!

Welcome to the forum, by the way, Dave

[gem22]

Dave

Welcome to the forum. That's a good question and it reminds me of a discussion I had with a fellow 'reader' about three years ago.

I suppose, in your terms, I would have to classify myself as a reader bordering on accumalator; but wishing to be a collector. I am, unashamedly, fascinated by memoirs from the Great War; I do however read general histories and, occasionally, regimental histories, to bring some sort of balance and perspective to my reading.

To me it's the story that matters - not the binding. If you forced me to choose between reading the book in paperback or not reading it at all I would take the paperback. But does that make me any less 'serious' than your collector. I don't think so - it simply means I have a limited budget and want value for my money.

If I see a book for sale that I truly want to add to my collection I will pay the price if I have to. I paid what I consider to be serious money for copies of the histories of the Suffolks, and the Cambridgeshires, because cheap alternatives were not available. However, I was equally happy to buy a paperback copy of the history of the Norfolks, because the paperback was available and I have never seen an original copy. So does that make a reader or a collector? I don't know. What I do know is that I have lots of books waiting to be read and lots of second hand bookstores to visit in my search for more Great War memoirs.

Garth

[truthergw]

I am an avid reader in a few select themes, one of which is WW1. Friends and family declare that it would require surgery to separate me from a book once acquired. I am not a collector, a second-hand copy will do if it is readable.

[spike10764]

I'm a reader, not a collector. I read any books I can get my hands on about The Great War, usually from my local library.

I haven't got room in my house for a collection, I wish I had, but I don't (my wife would want to throw them out after about six months, as she does with anything not bolted down- and some things that are). Either that or the kids would draw on them. Then I'd get upset and all manner of hassles would ensue.

I'm not sure I could ever pay high prices for books, as it's the reading of them that interests me, not the rarity( paperback is fine by me).

Collecting is I'm sure great, but it's not for us all. Good luck with yours.

[Annette Burgoyne]

I collect Regimental and Divisional Histories (well I did but lack of money as stopped me for now) for referance and to read, plus I'll buy other Great War books just for reading, but there are many books out there that have not grabbed my interest because they have nothing new to say so I leave them on the selves. So I am only part collector.

Annette

[armourersergeant]

Firstly welcome and may i say being a one for nicknames you are hereby named 'Minted Dave'.

Next I love books and can not stop walking into book shops! My wife has given up trying to stop me. But whilst i would say i am an avid buyer i do not call myself a collector in the sense of a 'professional' i am more an accumilator, much to my wifes horror and poverty!

Welcome again Minted Dave.

Arm.

[Paul Hederer]

An interesting topic indeed,

When I was younger I tended to buy more books on the War, but as I become older, and the books accumulate, I have become much less willing to buy. This is more a matter of space (books in boxs in the garage, you know).

I may make my rounds of the new bookstores 3 or 4 times and come home empty-handed. Something has really capture my imagination for me to buy these days.

I have worked on the official histories--this takes up a lot of space--I have the German, French, American, and a portion of the Austrian.

I would say I am not a collector, but if I come across something unusual (a first edition fiction, for example) I will buy.

Paul

[Staffsyeoman]

A tale of two collectors I have known...

Once taken to see a gentleman in the eastern wilderness (Wanstead, I think it was...) who had as complete a collection of published WW1 British regimental histories as you could see. Every last one was absolutely pristine. Were they read, used? No. They were simply an indication of the owner's ability to buy them. In context, they might have well as been those fake shelf inserts you see in furniture shops. He was (and this dates it) a hot metal printer at a red top; they could make a tidy sum.

The second; he collects WW2 British regimental histories. Sufficiently known in the trade to be offered titles 'off list' on first refusal. Pristine condition not a critical factor, but obviously he doesn't want ratty, page missing editions. He has some prize finds. But he uses them, for writing, research, drawing up battlefield tours..

The first, I could acknowledge as at least having preserved them (assuming they're still together), but the second is the one I admire; that's the getting of books for what they are meant for - education and propagation of information.

[Dave G]

I appreciate all of your responses. The common thread that runs through them all is that whatever your motive for acquiring books what matters is that you read, use and enjoy them. Believe it or not I know serious book collectors who don't read their books. They collect the book as an object, not for the information contained within. Sad, of course, but each to their own.

I think the concept of book collecting in its most classical sense is perhaps becoming a thing of the past. At any rate, in some respects there's never been a better time to aquire books. The internet offers almost infinite possibilities. Although I do confess to missing the old days of perusing catalogs and hauting musty book stores. Dallas, Texas has one last remaining privately owned antiquarian book store, a couple of tired used book stores, a couple of book stalls in antique malls, and a number of national chain used book stores which mainly sell new remainders. Speaking with my fellow book enthusiasts across the country, Dallas isn't the only major city where antiquarian book stores are going away... but that's another topic for another day.

Best Regards,

Dave

[MartinWills]

I cannot imagine a library that is not used for reading and for reference. I have volumes I would never want to try and read from beginning to end (and I don't just mean the dictionary...) but which are regularly used for reference. Some books are bargains and other indulgences. Some I can only regard (or justify) as an "investment" whilst reminding myself that they are far more enjoyable than a share certificate or a bank statement.

Sometimes I find a truly pleasant surprise. Currently it is a well worn copy of the Liverpool Scottish 1900 - 1919 which is a joy & delight to read. It seems to convey the atmosphere of the unit and is light hearted and informative - and even names the Privates alongside the NCOs and officers. Speaking of one temporary CO moved from another unit he was described as being pretty good considering he was a stranger and a sassenach!

Returning to the original point, however, my books are for reading and for reference and enjoyment and that'e what matters.