We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks. 

As autograph collectors, we share many hobbies.  One particular hobby that I have noticed many autograph collectors share is collecting books.  As a matter of fact, collectors who attend autograph and book fairs often witness for themselves how the two hobbies coincide.

The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair offers many opportunities for autograph collectors to enhance their personal interests.

I attended The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair for the first time in March of 2019.  My wife and I attended with friends.  I was amazed at the variety of interests that collectors enjoyed.  There were books that I had absolutely no interest in that were being sold for a small fortune.  There were also many books that I was in fact interested in that were much less expensive, but still not affordable.

I was admiring an antiquarian illustrated copy of Dante’s Inferno when I turned to my friend and commented about it.  “If I could receive the gift of any book here, I would choose this one.”  

The comment surprised my wife.  “Why wouldn’t you want to receive a more expensive book?” she asked.  “There are so many.”

That got me thinking.  I never collected autographs because of their value.  I believe that to be true of most autograph collectors.  To own an expensive autograph that I have no interest in would only deprive another autograph collector with a sincere interest from acquiring it.  That is not what our hobby is about.  I explained this to my wife and friends.  They seemed to understand.

As autograph collectors, we sometimes make decisions that are not determined by our pure love of autograph collecting.  As time goes by, we realize that it is best to simply collect what we enjoy.  There should be no price tag to prevent that from becoming a reality.

Views: 136

Comment by CJCollector on August 25, 2020 at 6:10pm

Nice, Mike.  Well written.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on August 25, 2020 at 6:25pm

Thanks, Christopher.  I am glad that you liked it.

Comment by BC on August 27, 2020 at 8:52pm

Great post, Mike!

I noticed on Pawn Stars they get quite a few signed books and those are always interesting.

Comment by Deepak Nahar on August 27, 2020 at 9:15pm

Excellent points sir. I wish I could get the autographs I want for less and I would gladly trade ones with more value for them. 

Comment by Josh Board on August 27, 2020 at 9:51pm

Good point. I have signed albums by bands I LOVE....that aren't worth a lot, because the bands aren't huge. Yet if someone offered me a thousand bucks (and it's worth $50), I would sell.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on August 28, 2020 at 5:34am

Thanks, BC.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on August 28, 2020 at 5:37am

Thanks, Deepak.  I have a friend who sells off parts of his collection so that he can save for a more expensive item that he wants.  He does it quite often.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on August 28, 2020 at 5:41am

Thanks, Josh.  You sound like a person who collects for the right reason.  You sound like you collect what you enjoy.  Take care.

Comment

You need to be a member of Autograph Live to add comments!

Join Autograph Live

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2024   Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service