Page 89 - The Hunt Winter 2021

are books and manuscripts handwritten and illustrated before the advent of the printing press in the middle of the 1400s. In the early 1500s, Christopher Columbus’ son, Hernando, took on the crazy task of trying to collect copies and/or summaries of every book in existence in an attempt
to compile a universal library. It was a quixotic adventure doomed to failure. The manuscript that cataloged his library— almost 2,000 pages of it—turned up a few years ago. In 2018, Edward Wilson-Lee wrote a book about the quest, calling it The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books. Hernando was “looking for the Google algorithm of print,” notes Wilson-Lee, “how to take
vast amounts of information and make something usable out of it.”
The number of books began to proliferate around 1800 with the advent of machine printing, which greatly accelerated production speed. “Then, after World
War II, people started to collect first editions of books,” Murray says.
These days, a first edition by a once-obscure writer who’s now famous can be of modest value, especially if it’s been personalized by said author. Books with the original dust jacket are also more collectible. Still, many famous first editions are less expensive than
a highly rated bottle of wine, and technology has made them much easier to find. “The internet has made a huge impact on the rare book business,” Murray says. “Before, you didn’t know how many copies were available.”
Search for a book online, and you’ll get an idea of how many are out there. Simply Google the name. You’ll also find a range
of prices and conditions. But it’s also fun
to shop in person, particularly if you love browsing. Start by looking for dealers who are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (abaa.org), founded in 1949 to promote interest in rare and antiquarian books and collecting.
Locally, Baldwin’s Book Barn is an unsurpassed treasure trove of rare and used books. “Often people find books they didn’t
really know they were looking for,” says owner Thomas Baldwin.
That’s not surprising when you consider that Baldwin’s has 300,000 books cataloged into 300 different subject matters, all crammed into multiple floors and rooms
of an old barn. “Usually customers come in searching for a subject rather than a specific book,” Baldwin says.
For those journeying to New York City, Bauman Rare Books on Madison Avenue has a scholarly atmosphere. Prices range from less than $100 to the thousands. Bauman also
has a Philadelphia office that’s the hub of the enterprise, but it’s open only by appointment. Another option is gifting someone special with a personal copy of a book that’s been a favorite for decades or has impacted your life
in some way. Perhaps the recipient is a son, daughter or other young relative following in your career footsteps. If it’s dog-eared with notes scribbled in the margins, so much the better. A final plus: Rare books are seldom re-gifted—at least not until the next generation. TH
Historic Preservation | Custom Home Building | Additions | Renovations | Kitchens & Baths
BUILDING WITH PASSION.
Downingtown, Pennsylvania • 484.593.0334 • www.ectbuilDers.com
TheHuntMagazine.com 87