The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: Confessions of a Collector

I am a bookseller, and I have a confession: I buy twice as many books as I read. My personal library is a cemetery of good intentions. A beautiful, expensive cemetery. One week ago, I found a first edition Everyman's Library of David Copperfield in a second-hand shop. It was a bargain at $12. I don't particularly like David Copperfield. But the book felt like a piece of history; the pages were as thin and creamy as a host wafer, and the ribbon marker was still pristine. I bought it without hesitation. It now sits on my shelf, unread, next to a flawless copy of Proust that I'm too afraid to crack open. I'm not just a bookseller; I'm a collector. This is my confession of how I fell in love with books as objects, and why I think you should too.

There's a difference between a reader and a collector. A reader wants to finish the story. A collector wants to finish the shelf. We talk about books like they're extensions of ourselves. "What does your Everyman's Library section say about you?" "Do you prefer the clean lines of a modern Folio Society edition, or the worn charm of a vintage Penguin?" These are conversations that last hours in my store. For the beginning collector, I always recommend starting with the Everyman's Library hardcovers. They are the perfect balance of beauty and durability. They come in a distinctive cream and red design, and they are sewn, not glued, so they will outlive you. I've seen copies from the 1950s that are in better shape than books I bought new last year. Start with a single author you love. Get their complete Everyman collection. I promise, once you see them lined up on your shelf, you won't want to stop.

If you want something a bit more unique, look for volumes from the Folio Society. These are usually bought second-hand as they were initially sold by subscription. They're often illustrated by top artists and come in beautiful slipcases. I once found a Folio Society Wind in the Willows in a charity shop for $5. It was illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Five dollars! I felt like I was stealing a piece of history, but that's the thrill of the hunt. The joy of collecting isn't in spending the most money; it's in finding something special in an unexpected place.

I won't pretend this is a rational hobby. My wife tells me that my books will one day force us to move to a bigger house. She's probably right. But I can't help it. A well-made book is a work of art. It is a treasure. So, here's to the collectors, the hunters, and the lovers of beautiful books. May your shelves be sturdy and your finds be glory'us.