One question I get a lot from non-collectors (and even a few family members) is “have you read all your books?” This is an interesting question because the answer is for the most part “no, I haven’t.” They often don’t know what to think about someone who spends most of his free time collecting Vintage Books yet doesn’t read them. Let me explain. This doesn’t mean I’m not interested in reading most of the books I collect – just not the copies I have in my collection. While people collect for many reasons, and I am certain there are many who read the books they collect (and also collect books just to read), the purpose of collecting in my case and many others is not to read every one of them but to appreciate the cultural and historical place the books hold and try to preserve them in a collection. Also, collectors want their collections to have value. Even if they never plan to sell their books, they know preserving condition is very important to retaining their value as historical artifacts. Thus, most collectors defer to preserving the books in their collections in the best condition possible, which means they don’t ever read them.
For example, I have books in my collection with great titles and enticing stories that I am very interested in reading, like Mondo Sadisto by Clyde Allison, but I have kept them sealed in plastic for decades. These books are likely never to be read (at least by me) because they are in Fine or Near Mint condition (see my post about condition). Thus, any defect such as a reading crease could take them from being one of a handful of copies in existence in that particular condition to a group of hundreds that exist in slightly lesser condition. You see, a rare Vintage Book becomes even rarer in condition. This is why comic books from the famous “Mile High” Edgar Church Collection routinely re-sell for over market because they are, in some cases, the best condition copies of the books in existence, with virtually no flaws.
Flash Comics #6 from the famous Edgar Church Collection. It is graded 9.6 which is Near Mint Plus, incredible condition for an 80-year-old comic book.
Flash Comics #6, D.C. (1940) Value $10,000 (courtesy Heritage Auctions)
Now, does this mean I never read the stories that are in the books in my collection? Sure, I do, but I try to find a later reprint, or a copy of the same book in lesser, non-collectible condition (affectionately known in the hobby as a “reader copy”). I don’t mind reading these because they have little value to a collector (remember – condition).
That said, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve purchased a “reader copy” and then decided not to read it because I don’t want to damage it more (I told you collectors are somewhat neurotic about condition). Of course, some Vintage Books in my collection have never been reprinted, so I will likely never be able to read the stories, but I can live with that. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic and let us know if you have a certain book in your collection that you have never read but would like to.
A very desired Pulp with a great cover. Rare to find in this condition so you don’t want to read this copy, even though the cover and “Vampire Master” story are rather enticing.
Weird Tales, Vol. 22 #4 (Oct. 1933). Value $1200+
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