I have been reading books about book collecting, book dealers and book collectors for a long time. Periodically, the issue arises could a book dealer be a book collector, as well or is this a conflict of interest? I would say – old school frowns upon it but more recently it seems to have become more acceptable or maybe just more in the open. Some dealers argue that it makes them better dealers. Perhaps, but I think it is mandatory that dealers understand what makes collectors tick, what makes them collect? If a “collector” didn’t collect books, would they simply collect something else. OH – as I typed this line I thought of the book “The Collector” by John Fowles. Not a recommended avenue!
Collecting is a form of mania. I know, I have that mania while not being a slave to it. If I were, I would be a bibliomaniac.
In most cases, a dedicated book collector will know more about his or her areas of interest better than all but some specialist dealers. And if that collector switched to being a specialist dealer that would be very advantageous, indeed. Knowledge is King. Knowledge is Queen. But can you do both? I would argue no – if the dealer is helping clients build a collection in the same space. I don’t think disclosure is enough. As many of my musing readers know, I have a significant, if not one of the best, Beresford Egan collections in existence. I am always looking for the unusual and unique things that give a collection its spice. If I come across a rarity, would I give my customer dibs – not on your life. But, if I have a duplicate or have replaced one copy of a book with a better one, I think it fine to put that book up for sale, for anyone who wants it. But I’m not counselling – just a buyer/seller relationship.
The above is theoretical. Over my 8 years of doing both, what have been my experiences in this area?
When I pick up a book and I decide that I want it, I consciously make the allocation between the personal library and the book business. But I often change my mind. Many times, I am preparing/researching a book before I put it up for sale and end up crossing out the assigned inventory number and put it in my TBR pile. And after it gets read into the library it goes.
And visa versa, Sometimes I start to read, or finish a book, and I see no reason to keep it. I move it into the business.
Occasionally, I will be asked if I have such and such a book for sale. I may have a copy, but it is in the personal library. I am tempted to say, I do have it but it is not for sale because it is in the personal library. I just say “No.” But, once I said “Yes”. I feature books in my musings from both the library and the business. I wrote up a musing about a very scarce Celtic item from the library, and a good customer asked me how much? What could I do, dealers cherish their clients, and so I sold it, regretfully.
It is totally acceptable, if a dealer moves a collection from the personal world to the book
business. And then you do have a strong knowledge base. I did this when the book business was started. About half the library moved over including collections of H. G. Wells, horror literature and cinema, and others. Two years ago I moved my Fanfrolico Press collection into the book business and promptly sold some very nice items. No regrets – I had lost interest.
However, there is a tremendous benefit to the book business from the general knowledge built up by being a book collector. How to identify a first edition, knowledge about the publishers, and so on. I learn every day from both of my touches into the book world – that is an asset that benefits both.
Books are books and bookcases are bookcases. But never the twain shall meet.
Here is a photo from the book room.
Here is a photo from the library.
