Antiques – Antiques Shops Are the New Old Bookstores

If you are anything like me, one of the luxuries of summertime is having the time to browse for hours in some vintage bookstore.
I like mysteries, so I always have something to look for, and I have found many new authors on these forays. But then my head would be turned by some neat book that piqued my curiosity, or another that I had always wanted to read. Before I knew it, I would be noticing some other book that friends or relatives would probably like and might make neat gifts for them.
So the time would pass, and the rewards would add up – things to enjoy, things to learn and things to share. Unfortunately, those charming old bookstores are disappearing. Antique shops, however, are taking up the slack, as more antique dealers realize they can fill a need by stocking more old books.
While browsing the books in antique shops, beyond your own special interests, look for three things about old books – age, interestingness and beauty. When considering age, consider rarity and edition. Not all old books that are very old are very valuable, but first editions often are, especially of 20th Century American authors.
Interestingness can be subjective, but what’s of interest these days are books on history, especially American history, and particularly military history. Also of great interest today are books on art, architecture, design and decoration, mostly for how inspiring they are for those working in those fields today.
Those books can also be very beautiful, as can any book with superb illustrations. Also attractive, however, are beautifully bound books. Remember, bookbinding is an ancient craft, all done by hand, and many books, even through the early 20th Century, are fine examples of that craft. Whether or not a book has its original dust jacket, as well as the overall condition of a book greatly affect its value.
Learn more about your books at www. abebooks.com and www.alibris.com, and www.amazon.com. But make sure you read everything about the condition and edition of the books that are available.
Some of the high prices on those sites are purposely inflated. To give and example, my own book, which I sell for $20 signed in my shop, is available on abebooks from a dealer in Great Britain for $109, and in Australia for $47. So, you have to practice reading those sites before you can use them to evaluate your own collection. And, I can assure you, virtual browsing is no substitute for the real thing.
P.S. Christmas in July might be a clever marketing ploy, but there’s wisdom in it. What better time to think of Christmas gifts than when you have the time to do it leisurely and thoughtfully. And the local shops here on the Cape will have many more poignant and unique things to choose from than all that stuff that will be cramming the shelves in December. You can make book on it.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to: aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.