![]() ![]() Perhaps she is looking for the “ first state” of a certain novel. However, if the seasoned collector has given you some clues as to what to look for, here the ABAA website can help as well. If you are afraid of purchasing something the collector might already have, consider a signed photo or some other piece of unique ephemera connected to the author in question, such as a letter or other signed document. Buying a random “first edition” of an Ernest Hemingway novel for a person who has been collecting Hemingway for decades is going to inevitably result in a poor gift exchange experience, as the person may have the book already or have chosen not to purchase it for some reason. We find it’s best to steer the giver away from books in this case, unless the collector has dropped hints about not being able to find a certain book or edition. What if you are trying to buy a gift for a seasoned collector? But, the ABAA’s website can serve as a viable substitute.Īnd on the subject of research, if your collector is new to the joys of antiquarian books, perhaps an appropriate gift might be a dictionary of rare book terminology or to the identification of modern first editions? Nothing beats going into a bookshop and asking a knowledgeable bookseller for recommendations. Magazines containing stories by your desired author can be found by searching the ABAA database by author name, and have the added interest of period covers, photography and advertising – which might lead the recipient into a whole new area of collecting. But they, like many authors at that time, published short stories and other pieces in many magazines, and these make unusual and delightful additions to many collections. Scott Fitzgerald or Ernest Hemingway, first editions of their books might be quite expensive. If your friend collects famous authors like F. ![]() However, their status as classics likely means that many different editions have been published over the years, and some of these will feature very beautiful bindings or include lavish illustrations, which would make them wonderful gifts. If you wish to give the gift of a classic book – something by Jane Austen for example – you may find that signed or first edition copies are beyond your intended budget. One way that the ABAA distinguishes itself when it comes to signed items is that all ABAA members are bound to a strict code of ethics and standard of business practice, so that buyers can be confident that signed items bought from ABAA members are genuine.
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