WELCOME
Welcome to our Blog, where we delve into the fascinating world of Vintage Books. Whether you’re a collector, a seller, or simply someone who appreciates the scarcity and beauty of these literary (and sometimes artistic) treasures, this blog is for you. We will explore the different aspects of buying, selling, collecting, and learning about the most collected and valuable Vintage Books published from the 1930s to 1960s.
What are Vintage Books?
Vintage Books are the main focus of this Blog. These include vintage paperbacks, pulps, comic books, digests, and magazines, mostly in the adventure, science fiction, horror, sleaze, and mystery genres. While Vintage Books also cover genres like poetry, sports, romance, and classic literature, this Blog primarily concentrates on the genres that are more sought after, rare, and valuable. These books were primarily published between the 1930s and late 1960s, during the golden period for Vintage Books.
*Although this Blog will occasionally discuss hardback books, especially of the mystery, science fiction and horror genres, the main focus will be on paperback or “softcover” Vintage Books.
Collecting Vintage Books
Collecting vintage books can be a rewarding and fulfilling hobby. There is a sense of nostalgia and history that comes with owning these literary, and often artistic, artifacts. When starting a collection, it’s important to define your focus. Some collectors specialize in a particular genre, author, cover artist or publisher, while others prefer to have a diverse collection. Some are very ambitious, like the famous paperback collector, Lance Casebeer, who tried to acquire a copy of every Vintage Paperback ever published – and succeeded!
Building a collection takes time and patience. It’s important to be diligent in your search for rare and valuable books. Attend book fairs, visit antique shops, used bookstores, thrift stores, and explore online marketplaces to find hidden gems. There are still a few brick-and- mortar used bookstores around that will usually have a few vintage paperbacks (but rarely vintage comics and pulps because of scarcity). Networking with other collectors can also be beneficial to build a collection as they may be willing to sell or trade you books and can provide valuable insights and recommendations.
It is always very important to understand one critical aspect of buying (and selling) Vintage Books is condition. Collectors seek out books in the best condition possible and covet books that are close like new (i.e., to “newsstand”) condition. And, as for value, even sought after books in bad condition will only be worth a fraction of their worth. I will provide some tips on how to determine the value of Vintage Books in our discussions in this Blog.
Vintage Books with science fiction themes are popular with collectors, especially books by top authors. Many of these books were later made into movies, further increasing interest.
The Cosmic Puppets, Philip K. Dick, Ace Double #D-249 (1957). Value $100
Learning About Vintage Books
Learning about Vintage Books is an ongoing process that can enrich your understanding and appreciation for these treasures. There are several ways you can expand your knowledge. One option is to read books and articles on the subject. There are a few books available that delve into the history of publishing, book collecting, and the significance of different editions. There are also a several price guides out there that will provide additional information besides just values.
The guide we recommend for Vintage Paperbacks is any edition of The Paperback Price Guide by Kevin Hancer. Although out of print, there are usually copies readily available on ebay.
While some values may be a bit dated, this guide offers a wealth of information, including color pictures of key books.
For Comic Books, you can’t go wrong with the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide by Bob Overstreet. This is the recognized comic book collectors’ bible that lists pretty near every comic book ever printed by title and values for various conditions (e.g., Good, Very Good, Fine). A new edition is published every year, and copies are readily available on Amazon or ebay.
Blog money saving tip – You don’t have to buy the very latest edition of the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide; any edition within the last five years will give you sufficient information and general idea of the market value.
For Pulps, there is really only one guide we recommend, Bookery’s Guide to Pulps by Tim Cottrill. This guide is out of print and rather difficult to locate but well worth it if you are interested in Pulps and their values. You don’t need to have the latest edition to get most of the information you need.
Vintage Pulp featuring Doc Savage, a hero that appeared in all formats of Vintage Books.
Doc Savage, Street & Smith #56 (Sept. 1937). Value $200
You can also spend time online searching auction websites and blogs or pages that feature Vintage Books. For example, this Blog will identify some of the key Vintage Books and provide estimated values. Joining online communities or forums dedicated to vintage books can also connect you with like-minded individuals and provide a platform for learning and discussion.
Lastly, probably one of the best ways to learn about Vintage Books is to attend a rare book show like the Windy City Pulp and Paperback Convention held every spring in Chicago. Such shows can be very informative as you can peruse thousands of Vintage Books for sale and see them “in person,” learn what’s selling, and gain invaluable knowledge from dealers and other attendees. You might also meet some new friends that share your interest.
Vintage Paperbacks evoke a particular allure from their blatant attempts to lure customers with their (often) suggestive cover art and enticing cover blurbs.
Carnaby Consort, Leisure Book #1175 (1966). Value $120
Buying Vintage Books
When it comes to buying Vintage Books, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s important to do your research. Familiarize yourself with different editions, publishers, and authors that are highly sought after by collectors. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions and avoid overpaying for a book or collection of books.
Probably the best way to quickly find Vintage Books online is to search ebay. Ebay has thousands of Vintage Books for sale every day and many rare and valuable books are offered. Even the most valuable Vintage Books will eventually make their way onto ebay which makes it one of the top sites that “sets the market” for Vintage Books. If there is a drawback from ebay it’s that most sellers aren’t professional book dealers or collectors. Thus, there are often mistakes in identifying books being offered and assessing condition.
However, this can also lead to finding Vintage Books at great value. For example, while many know ebay as an auction site, there are also sellers that offer their books at “buy-it-now” prices. For these books you don’t have to bid but rather can just purchase the book at the set price offered. Many a bargain can be found this way as these sellers are not allowing the market to determine the price. For example, some sellers will just price each of their vintage books at one price, like $9.99, even though the books are much more valuable. One trick is to filter searches for buy-it-now books that have been newly listed. This is a great way to find books priced under market value.
Another trick is to take the time to develop key search words when searching ebay for Vintage Books. Key searches in the books category such as “vintage pulp paperbacks 1950s” can lead directly to the Vintage Paperbacks, saving time and effort. There are so many Vintage Books offered on ebay that finding shortcuts to the best books is very important. Here is an ebay keyword search the author uses that is very effective for Vintage Paperbacks: ebay top search.
Nice collection of vintage paperback books found on eBay
You can come up with your own search keywords. However, try to include words such as “pulp” “vintage” “paperback” “magazine” or “comic book” (depending on what you are looking for). Sometimes a combination of these words can turn up some interesting items. If looking for a collection of books, use words like “lot” “collection” or “assortment.” Of course, if you are only looking for a specific title you can just search for that, but then AbeBooks might be better for specific titles. This is because books listed on AbeBooks are single titles from mostly used bookstores and dealers which are usually identified and graded very accurately.
Surprisingly, Amazon has recently become another resource to find Vintage Books. Many used bookstores now sell on Amazon and it is possible to find bargains since many collectors exclusively search eBay or AbeBooks and don’t think about searching on Amazon for used books. However, there is a drawback; Amazon sells mostly new books, so it takes a bit of experimentation to wade through the sea of new books to find the Vintage Books, but they are there.
Recently found on Amazon for around $10 this Vintage Book is very collectible with an often overlooked original Elmore Leonard story.
Zane Grey’s Western Digest, Dell Publishing, Vol. 6 #12 (1953) Value $100
Conclusion
Engaging in the hobby of Vintage Books offers wealth of knowledge and enjoyment, whether you’re purchasing, selling, collecting, or simply expanding your understanding. By conducting thorough research, practicing patience, and fully immersing yourself, you can embark on a fulfilling journey that enhances your appreciation for these paperbound books as both collectibles, historical artifacts, and even potential investments.
Hopefully, this Blog will help you on your journey into the world of Vintage Books by providing information, articles, opinions and advice covering all aspects of collecting these wonderful books.
*I have posted a few links to vendor resources for those visiting my site to use in acquiring Vintage Books and supplies. I have used these sites in my collecting for years, and they have worked well for me. I want to disclose that for a few vendors I recommend (eBay, AbeBooks and Amazon) I may receive a small renumeration if you use one of the links and make a purchase (there's no extra cost to you). For example, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. --Mike
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