Book Finds by Ian C. Ellis (2006, Paperback, Updated)

I decided to buy this book to learn more about How to Sell Books and to obtain more information about books in general.
“Book Finds” By Ian Ellis l996

This is an excellent book for the intense study of the history of books and bookmaking; the secrets of “professional book scouts”; what bookstore buyers look for and many other aspects of book buying, selling of where to and how to.

First, Ellis describes the three types of books:
1) Reading copy - the type of book you would take with you to the beach, etc.
2) Antiquarian - 1st edition of books of yesteryear, as well as any old books with old binding, materials, and printing details. Knowledge must be had in dealing with this type of book because forgeries can be found as well.
3) Modern Books - this spans l00s of writers of many many different genre.These books are avidly sought after and collected, however, just about any book can be called, “collectable”.

It is this last category that this book heavily concentrates. His five specific rules which he feels you must maintain to keep all the glue together in knowing and collecting books are as follows.

1) Ellis suggests strongly to pick a topic to specialize in and stick with it. Become an expert in it if possible. As your curiosity grows and you learn more, so will you will be able to pass on your knowledge and become an expert at it.
2) He also strongly suggests pay attention to the condition your book is in. It does not matter if it is rare if it is in horrid condition.
3) The “Rule of Three” is his rate of return. Try to buy books which will bring you three times the amount spent for it.
4) Establish a regular route of bookstores to “scout” all of their new editions as often as you can. KNOW YOUR STORES. Do they specialize in horror or mystery? What most likely will you find there? Know your store’s personality. Stores may be used bookstores, new bookstores, etc.
5) Don’t forget about trading with your store. Anytime you can trade a book, do so. Don’t buy it. Reading copies can be sold profitably because of their abundant quantity of them. Here the emphasis is quantity not quality.

Ellis also tells us about the beginnings of bookmaking, articles and items which were used in bookmaking since the beginning of time to the present. In further detail, he tells us of Scouting for Books vs.Dealing, The Art of Book Trading, and much much more information.

At the end of the book is a Glossary of terms for books as well as a list of “Book Finds” suggested by the Author. I found this book enlightening and interesting.
MrsLinda

I had taken this out of the library, and found it so helpful that I bought a copy for reference. Very educational.

This book transforms the apprentice to a moderate collector in a single read. This is a must for every starting collector and should be studied not just read once.

I had heard about this book from a friend. I found it to be a great buy and very interesting. Well worth the money.