First Impressions - 2009

First Impressions - June 2009

New Arrivals:

Zola, Émile. Naïs Micoulin. Paris: G. Charpentier, 1884.

First edition of the author's scarce short story collection,
s­igned and inscribed by author to half title page.

Book Collecting News:

Are rare books recession-proof?

Hard economic times give us the chance to take inventory of our lives… our portfolios, our assets, our work experiences and skill sets. But what about our libraries? Some may be wondering if the values of books dip and dive the way the Dow has in recent months. Is your library worth less than what it was a year ago?

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that publishing houses have experienced heavy losses the last two quarters and that bookstore sales have also been negatively affected. However, the rare book market dodges many of these problems. Rare volumes have been fetching strong prices at auction, and history has shown that the majority of valuable books hold their value, even in recessions. While e-books and television may have eclipsed some of the market for reading copies, collectors are still demanding first editions and truly rare works to complete their collections.

While taking inventory for other financial purposes, now may be a good time to have your books appraised or to update your insurance documents. Most homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies cover the loss of household items like books, but you may need to consult with your agent to find out if you have adequate coverage for your valuable items. Keeping a detailed list of your books is a good idea, as well as receipts or invoices, but some companies may require documentation showing replacement values. Appraisals can be done for individual volumes or whole collections, and may be added as a rider to your current policy.

Protecting your current assets is a good strategy in this uncertain financial time. For more information on book values or appraisals, feel free to contact us at any time.

 ~ Sunday & Josh
B & B Rare Books, Ltd.
(646) 652-6766

info@bbrarebooks.com
www.bbrarebooks.com
Members: ABAA, ILAB & PBFA (UK)