Book Collecting 101
Book Collectors Are a Rare Breed
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It starts with a good book: a relatable character, a hero or heroine flawed, wronged yet engaged. From there it's another book in a series, or perhaps a stand-alone novel where the author takes the reader to a new place of connection to the world around us. And then it evolves. For the book collector a bookcase is more than a place to store your treasures. It is comforting visual cue: sorted by author and then title, all signed, spines facing out, jackets protected and covered. It's a visual cue of both time and money well spent. A book collection is a personal investment not just an appreciating asset, in oneself, and the books on the shelf prove it.
Whether you are a new reader, or long-time collector this page is for you. Learn about book collecting and the nuances of book grading. Here you will find book collecting guides, tips, information, and terms for increasing the value of your collection and the depth of your passion for reading.
Our Book Collecting 101 series gives you a great foundation for what it means to build a collection that appreciates not only as an investment but adds to your enjoyment.
The VJ Books grading system is designed to satisfy the expectations of the discerning book collector. Learn the different terms for grading books and book jackets. Become familiar with unique grading terms such as Advanced Reading Copies, PBOs and Remainder Marked editions.
If you'd like to get regular Book Collecting updates or questions, please feel free to contact [email protected]. Visit the Ask John or FAQ pages for even more information about collecting books! We appreciate your comments and questions, and hope we are your resource for collecting needs.
Don't forget to take a look at our collecting accessories, and YouTube Videos too!
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Book editions, or book printings, follow the standard conventions used by various publishing houses. VJ Books use of "1st edition" in a book's description denotes...
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Advance reading copies (ARCs) are trade paper-sized soft cover books sent by publishers to bookstores prior to the release of a title to promote the book...
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Let John help you determine the value of your book collection
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What different formats do books come in? Virginia shows the different shapes, sizes, and types books can come in to help book collectors and readers.
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John explains co-authors and double-signed books, and how they impact the value of a book collection.
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Virginia explains what an ex-library edition book is and how it can work in your collection.
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VJ Books answers your questions about Book Grading
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John teaches us about the grading process that VJBooks uses and how to inspect a book in order to assess its value as a collectible.
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Graphic novels are best defined as book-length comics. They are often a
single storyline, flowing from first page to last, and sometimes they
are collections of short stories.
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John helps us identify the methods various publishers use to signify the first edition of a book. The different types of number lines and a few noteworthy editions of certain titles are mentioned.
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Unless otherwise noted in the description, all signed books will be free of inscription. If book does have an inscription the exact wording will be noted in the book description. Author inscriptions are desirable, unless personalized...
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The term "PBO" denotes a paperback original indicating that the first appearance of a title is a mass market-sized paperback...
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Welcome to our 21st article in our ever popular “Book Collecting 101” series!
This series of articles offers the book collector detailed information about many aspects of the book collecting hobby.
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It's important to know the different parts of a book, for grading purposes and understanding book descriptions. John is here to help teach you.
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John explains the process of remainder marking books and how it can affect your book collection.
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John provides a tour of the five major english-language publishing houses, their various imprints, and how they impact your collection.
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There are many variations of the signed book going back to the advent of publishing.
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VJ Books best book grade is "New/Unread." These books are bookstore fresh, mint copies without...
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First Thus means the first appearance in this format. These are typically reprints or alternate formats but not considered the “true first.”
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