Collecting Autographed Books - A Fun Hobby

When is the time to collect autographed book? The time is now, of course. This is an especially exciting time because there are so many prominent figures out there that are recording their tidbits of information and putting their signature on these informative documents.
A signature is as one-of-a-kind as the person that writes it. Similar to other characteristics that we posses, this is something that is distinctively ours. The one-of-a-kind signature, no matter if it is a flowing script or a messy scrawl is one thing that can say a lot about the person who wrote their name.
It is a part of us that we can share with other people, it could be something special to someone, and far better than asking someone for something, that is personal. A signature is unique but not something so personal and imposing to ask for and can flatter people.
Following our ancestors, yes they collected autographs as well; people have been collecting autographs for more than five centuries. The value of autographs has changed over this period of time and although collectors want them for different reasons, there are many who have spent a lot of money on the autographs they have collected.
One of the most coveted and possibly the most sought are autographed books. Books have been popular forever. Even before there were printing presses to print books, there were books and this included before many people could read. The ones that could were most often the very wealthy that could afford to be educated.
During the 19th century, there was a rise in the rate of individuals who were collecting autographed books. People in general were learning how to read and the popularity of collecting autographs rose significantly during this time. Famous people adored this practice because their name gave a personal touch to their books and a monetary one also.
Autographed books are one of the quickest growing kinds of autograph collecting known. The economy does not seem to have a negative impact on this activity at all. If the economy is booming, the amount of people who want to collect is because of the extra money and time they have. When the economy is suffering the investments that are made in things that people will know will increase in value over time rather than risking their money, they will go with investing with a familiar collectible first.
The value of autographed books does not go up and down, as do other collectibles. The individuals who like to collect these books do not consider the items things to be stored away and looked at once in a while, and find books fun to collect. The value is more significantly stable than that of other collectibles.
The investment of autographed books is very stable however, it is not assured. Nevertheless, some people have autographed first editions that are valued at a couple thousand dollars and in a few years, that value has gone up to $25,000.
The ones that collectors are more interested in are ‘flat signed.’ This simply means the author signed on the title page. They did not sign on a sticker or on the bookplate and the signature is just that. No personalization – just the signature. The first printing, ‘flat signed’ book can become one of the most in demand collectibles of today.
In regards to first printings and the reason why they are more valuable, what it actually means is that the book has come from the first setting of type. This was from the time when books were actually printed on a printing press. When it comes to collecting autographed first printings, the first one is the only book that serious collectors want to add to their collections.
Those who collect autographed books need to be very careful when purchasing a book that has been signed already. The condition of the book must be in pristine shape for the book to be worth the most money. The collectible that is in what is called “mint” condition is the most valuable. In addition, there are books that are in good condition that are still considered a very good investment. One author, J.D. Salinger is an example of this. A book that is considered in good condition by this author is well worth investing in.
Pay attention when you are in your local bookstore. If a new artist is having a book signing, you might do well to get a copy because you never know if the book may end up being worth quite a bit. Standing in line for a few minutes to get a signature is certainly worth the investment if the book turns out to be collectible at a later date.
If the book you purchase for $40 or $50 is a ‘mint’ hardcover, autographed first printing, you could very well have a very valuable book in the future. Either way it goes, the book will be an investment you may well enjoy reading and you have the author’s signature or you ended up getting a book from someone who will be as famous as Hemingway. If you buy a book from an author that you have not heard of, keep a check on the literary awards from time to time. When the book title or the author of the book wins an award, this is a sign that the book will be going up in value. (www.web-articles.info)