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What constitutes a “rare” book?

My focus for this discussion is not so much on rare books in general, but rather on rare signed books. However, I thought that perhaps defining the former might bring perspective to the latter.

So how few copies of a book must there be in order to bring on the adjective “rare”?

I know that some rare books can be worth thousands of dollars regardless whether or not they’re signed by the author.

Basically, I’m looking at the possibility of buying a book that is limited to 2500 copies, or rather 2500 First Edition hardback SIGNED copies.

So...is that rare? I’m just curious, and I’d really like to get our knowledgeable members’ opinions on this topic. Thanks in advance.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on August 22, 2019 at 3:18pm

But, as in coins, you never know what has not been submitted. I no longer play the Registry Games ;)

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Permalink Reply by James on August 22, 2019 at 4:07pm

True.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on August 22, 2019 at 3:58pm

how about a book actually signed by Jerry Lee Lewis? :)

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on August 22, 2019 at 3:59pm

LOL! :)

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Permalink Reply by BallroomDays67 on August 22, 2019 at 4:26pm

An edition of 750 isn’t rare.

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Permalink Reply by J.Seah on August 22, 2019 at 4:56pm

Is this rare??? 24 Nights Ltd Ed Book Signed by Eric Clapton, George Harrison & Peter Blake. Eric Clapton signed twice.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on August 22, 2019 at 5:20pm

Goodness, J.Seah! Rare? Doesn't matter the label your signed book is amazing!

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Permalink Reply by James on August 22, 2019 at 6:38pm

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Permalink Reply by crazyrabbits23 on August 23, 2019 at 9:15pm

I agree generally with the sentiment that a "numbered" book can only be considered rare in the context of the fan demand for it. A LE numbered book with a 2,500 print run may as well be 100 copies if a million fans want that book.

That being said, I would also generally consider anything below 150 copies to be truly rare, maybe 25 copies at the extreme low end. The rarest numbered item I own is a copy of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's final work, The Essential Trudeau, which was privately printed (housed in a custom maroon clamshell case with his embossed signature, and leather-bound) and limited to 115 copies that were sold at a conference at a university. As far as I know, it wasn't officially announced beforehand that the book would be released, the books were quickly snapped up (at least one was given/sold to a family member), and as far as I've discovered, only four copies have been found in the last 20 years, mine being one of them. One sold last year for $1,300 CAD, while another was being sold by a rare bookstore until their website went down last year.