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I've written before some of my thoughts on why I don't like price guides, but I do have a few books in this genre that I do treasure. The first is Book Collecting 2000, by Allen & Patricia Ahearn. This book presents a wealth of information to collectors, sellers, & those who just love books. As a value guide, the authors clearly state their goals as far as how to use the price information. It applies to the first printing of sepcific works (and the identification means for each publication are clearly listed) in very fine to fine condition. The authors also mention that the prices will be affected by lower & higher quality books. There are literally 6,000 books listed. True, it's heavy into price values (listing prices in 1986, 1995 & 2000), which can provide some clues as to if you should hold onto that box of books in Aunt Ruth's attic, or for sellers wondering where to start the bidding, but this book also includes good solid information. My favorite sections are "Book Collecting" & "What To Collect." This explains the lust for bound paper in a way that even your shoulder-shrugging-spouse will understand. It briefly gives credence to the 'why' of the animal that is 'book collector,' even if the books they relish are not the ones with the 4 digit values -- heck, it can give a book-outsider an idea why a book-insider adores the books so low in value, they do not appear in guides. For example, the authors write: "Book readers become book collectors when they find that books have become important as objects that they wish to own, admire, and enjoy at their leisure. This is an important point, for most readers are content with reading a library copy or a paperback reprint and have no desire to go beyond this point. In order to understand the drive of a book collector, one must understand that most are attracted to book collecting for three reasons: the true enjoyment or fun of the search, the love of the book as an object, and the economics or investment potential. From our experience with collectors-and most dealers for that matter-all three motivations exist in varying degrees." There's more. But I think you get my point here -- the book addresses why book nuts collect books (it's not just to avoid overdue library fines!) In "Knowledgable Buying," basic terms, details of conditions & ratings system, along with reprints, dustjackets etc, are explained, which will help budding bibliophiles, fiction fanatics & others who wish to learn how to talk the talk, perhaps effectively lowering prices at a flea market... This also helps sellers price appropriately, not wasting their listing fees, turning inventory etc. But it also helps a well-intentioned-gift-giver from bringing you a box of books so horridly damaged, that the site of them makes you weep. Book Collecting 2000 also covers how to take care of your collection. This is where I as a 'book collector' realize I am too lowly funded to properly care for the gems I have. (It doesn't stop me, just makes me a bit more wistful for some extra cash for book repair lessons...) The book is organized in an easy to follow manner, allowing this book to be used quickly as a reference tool. But, again, I keep this book for more of the "meat" about collecting -- it covers information that passionate folks want to know, aside from price values. The authors, Allen and Patricia Ahearn, operate the Quill & Brush bookstore in Dickerson, Maryland, where they specialize in first editions and other fine books -- A business started over a decade after they began buying and selling first editions in the mid-1960s. One can imagine that the buying & selling all leads back to personal bookshelves bucking from all their biblio-passions. I highly recommend to bibliophiles that you add Book Collecting 2000 to your collection. Note: The authors have since done a new version, Collected Books: The Guide to Values 2002, but I have not seen this one yet.
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