Some Rules for Book Collecting:
1. Collect what you like.
In general, the value of a book collecting is greater than just one or two valuable books. The value is in the collection as a whole. Some people choose to collect books by specific authors, but this can be a gamble in the long run; some authors are fashionable at the time they are writing, but they are quickly forgotten. As a result, collecting books that are related to each other can be much more profitable. For example, collecting Southern authors vs. one or two specific writers from the South.
2. Protect your books.
Books retain and gain value based upon the condition they are in. The closer the condition of the book is to how it looked coming off the press, the more it is worth. Pretty simple, yes. But keeping books in mint condition is difficult, especially if you plan on actually reading them. If you buy any books from us, just ask, and we would love to Mylar them for you (cover the slip-case in plastic).
3. Buy First Editions.
As a general rule, first edition, first printings are the most valuable editions of books. Especially if they are signed. This can get complicated pretty quickly if the book is released in another country prior to its release in the United States. The foreign edition is considered the “first edition” but depending on the book, the U.S. edition can still be valuable.
To tell if a book is a first edition, look at the copyright page. Sometimes “First Edition” or “First Printing” will appear, but you should still check the number line. The number line appears in post-WWII era books, and is just what it sounds like, a line of numbers. Each publisher prints the numbers differently, but if the 1 is present, the books is a First Edition, First Printing. As new editions of the book are printed, the number of the previous edition is removed. So for example, if you see: 135798642, it is a first edition, first printing. However, 35798642 is a second printing. Every publisher organizes their copyright page differently, so if you aren’t sure if that copy of To Kill a Mockingbird is a first edition, bring it buy the store. Not only would we love to see it, we can also help you figure out if it’s worth any money.
4. First books.
In general, an author’s first book, whether novel or nonfiction, will be their most valuable. There are exceptions to this rule, but 
having a copy of the first book by an obscure author who later goes on to win the Pulitzer Prize is a treasure. It’s even better if you liked the book and believed in the author before anyone had really heard of him/her. It’s the literary equivalent of the Cubs winning the World Series (the Cubs haven’t won the World Series since 1908).
5. First Edition’s Club.
If you are seriously interested in collecting books, consider joining our First Edition’s Club. (This is not just a shameless plug, it really is a good idea). The books we choose are always signed, first editions. We choose books that we think will gain value, many of which are author’s first books. We Mylar the books for you, and you can either have them shipped to you, or come pick them up at the store. And it only costs the cover value of the book.
If you want to see what some of your books may be worth, AbeBooks is a great place to start.
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