The first rule in book collecting is "collect what you like." Building a book collection is all about what interests you, not your friends, your neighbors, your workmates, your spouse or any other collector. Collecting is a singular activity that is based on your favorite subjects, authors or aesthetic preference i.e. fine bindings, fore-edge paintings or illuminated manuscripts. If you collect what you like, fluctuations in value are less likely to affect your passion. And it should be said that book collecting is a passion and, like any other passionate pursuit, it is very difficult to explain to anyone who does not share your attraction to and enthusiasm for a particular subject or author. And you should not have to explain or justify your collecting activities. They are yours and yours alone.
Your desire to build a first-class personal library may be related to your profession (architecture, dentistry, costumer), your love of 20th C. literature (The Grapes of Wrath), children's literature , western Americana or any one of a hundred other possible areas of interest. There are no uncollectible subjects or authors as long as you have an interest in them.
My next post will address the difference between a Collector and an Accumulator. Stay tuned.
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