Starting a research library

We wanted to introduce the idea of starting a home research library before you begin to buy books, since you want to be in-the-know about what you’re seeing at those library and warehouse sales, which is another topic altogether. Don’t feel like you have to go out and buy all these titles right now, but know that adding to your personal collection of book knowledge is very important, as it gives you a competitive edge over other booksellers.

Two books that every responsible bookseller should own before hitting the streets are discussed below. The first is Bill McBride’s, Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions. This is a handy portable reference that covers most of the topics you will need while scouting. It’s inexpensive and will pay for itself immediately.

When you are listing your books, you want to have the best information available to you. In your home reference library, you should have a copy of Edward N. Zempel’s, First Editions: A Guide to Identification. Zempel has created the best research tool available when identifying first editions. The guide has become the industry standard and we strongly recommend that it be added to your library before you begin listing first editions.

Old, Rare:

Bookman’s Price Index: A Guide to the Values of Rare and Other Out of Print Books (Bookman’s Price Index)

-Anne F. McGrath

Huxfords Old Book Value Guide (Huxford’s Old Book Value Guide, 13th ed)

-Sharon Bob Huxford

Fiction:

Collected Books 2002 (Collected Books)

-Allen and Patricia Ahearn

Breese’s Guide to Modern First Editions

-Martin Breese

Children’s Books:

Collector’s Guide to Children’s Books, Volumes 1-3, 1850 to 1975