Having a rare book collection as a teenager can deliver a rewarding experience. This is where you should think about encouraging teens to proceed with collecting rare books. This will help them to end up with getting the maximum experience that comes on their way out of collecting rare books. Continue to read and we will share the best approach that you can follow when you want to explain rare book collecting to a teenager.
What is the definition of a Rare Book Collection?
Before we get started, it’s important to understand the distinction between a book collection and a personal library. Both are wonderful and lovely things, but they are not the same. Many of us have personal libraries in our homes: all those old textbooks from college, the stack of children’s books on the bottom shelf, how-to guides for first-time homeowners, and so on. In summary, a personal library is made up of books we’ve collected in a variety of methods, and there’s usually no discernible trend. It is what it is: a library with a wide range of topics. A collection, on the other hand, is a concentrated effort to gather a certain sort of book, generally of a high standard.
Now that we’ve established the distinction between a personal library and a book collection, we must also understand that book collections come in several forms.
Organizing a Gathering Around a Common Theme
Many collectors pick a theme that interests them and build a collection around it. We’ve all heard of collectors that specialize on a certain sport, historical event, or region of the country. You should encourage a teenager to adhere to this as well.
When deciding on a topic-based collection, keep in mind that certain themes are too wide to allow for a comprehensive and complete collection of books. For example, you could be very interested in World War II. Collecting WWII literature without a more precise search criterion, on the other hand, may land you in a bind. Instead, maybe a concentration on a single WWII author, a specific battle, or literature from a specific region published during or about the war might be more appropriate.
Organizing a Group Around a Particular Author
Another approach to focus one’s collection, as previously noted, is to choose an inspiring author and pursue his or her works. For example, we’ve written about Rudyard Kipling’s challenge and reward. He is only one of many authors that provide a wonderful resource for book collectors. Start by considering who communicates to you through their work.
Keep in mind that collecting as a ‘completist,’ that is, attempting to collect everything by a single author (for example, all of Charles Dickens’ writings), is a hugely ambitious, expensive, and in some cases impossible undertaking. Rather of becoming overwhelmed by the enormity of the work, we propose narrowing your emphasis to a certain category of your author of choice and proceeding from there.
If you’re stuck on where to start your collection, check through lists of award-winning books or writers (Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel Prize winners, etc.).
Collecting Books on the Basis of Appearance
When it comes to collecting books, some collectors are more concerned with visual appeal. Some people choose to amass a library of leather-bound books. For example, Franklin Library editions offer gorgeous vintage leather-bound volumes. Because the books are divided into series, collectors have a structure to follow, which is enticing to individuals who want to build a comprehensive collection. The author has autographed many Franklin Library copies. They make for really attractive collectibles.
Working to gather fine press editions is another method for collecting books based on appearances. Fine press books frequently have genuinely unique tales behind them, making them more than just decorative things on the shelf, but also inspirational works of art. A fine press book is generally printed by a small press in close collaboration with the author, therefore there are usually just a few copies available. This makes for a fascinating and generally quite visually appealing addition to one’s collection.
When it comes to aesthetics, keep dust jackets in mind when you start your collection. Finding books with their original dust covers is both a difficult and exciting task. Early dust jackets (pre-20th century) are extremely rare and valuable additions to any library. Purchasing a book with its original dust cover in excellent or near-fine condition for modern first editions (much of the twentieth century) might make the difference between a very desirable collectable and one that isn’t worth much. Many early dust jackets were destroyed by original owners who wanted to show off the books’ genuine bindings, making dust jackets that are still in good condition uncommon and valuable finds.
Encouraging the teenagers to focus on it
A clear emphasis is essential to every book collection. A budget, goals, and a plausible plan of attack must all be outlined. With a narrower focus, you may focus on what matters most to you and create a really rich collection of works that matter to you. That way, you won’t waste money or shelf space on books that aren’t appropriate for your collection’s needs.
It’s time to start thinking about what sorts of books you’ll be seeking to add to your shelves once you’ve chosen on a style of collection. While keeping these in mind, you can encourage a teenager to go ahead with collecting old and rare books.
As you search through the numerous pools of rare books, it’s critical to grasp the rules of the transaction. Collectible books can be found at library book sales, rare book fairs, auctions, antique book stores, online, and in your grandmother’s attic, among other places. The possibilities for establishing (and growing) a rare book collection are almost limitless. Whatever path you take, knowing what various phrases signify when you’re given with a piece that could be of interest is helpful.
I am Jones Smith and I am here to share my experience and expertise in writing. I’ve been writing articles for different publications for more than 6 years. I have a varied range of interests and that’s why I love blogging about different topics. In my opinion, blogging is a lot like acting, and I consider writing blog posts as an acting job. I am an entrepreneur by heart and there is nothing big or small when it comes to starting a business.