How Do You Collect? Spill Your Secrets!

[AKC]

When you find yourself active in a community on the internet that was developed for the sole purpose of celebrating the works of your favorite author..........you might be a serious collector.

[Lot guy]

Anyone seeking books for an end goal, collection. As far a value wise my most valuable book is a BOMC 'Salem's Lot, it was my first King book & was a gift that couldn't be replaced by another copy. While I can always buy another S/L or such, I can't replace that BOMC. I think when collecting value is all up to the collector & not necissarily by market value.

[Frankie]

I don't think it necessarily has to do with money, but I agree with The Library Policeman--when you start buying books with a price tag that has non-collectors' jaws dropping, it a good indication you are a serious collector. And when you start buying lots of bookcases with doors to protect your books, it a good indication you are a serious collector. And when you start dropping hundreds of dollars to buy slipcases, Brodart covers, etc., just to protect your books, it a good indication you are a serious collector.

I think for me, it was when I first went to The Strand in NYC. I found my way to the Rare Book Room and went nuts. It's where I bought my first collectible DT books. It's where I bought my first ARCs/proofs (think I picked up 3 that day). And its where I got The Road to the Dark Tower signed by Bev Vincent. I walked out with 2 large shopping bags and a dazed look on my face, having spent a few dollars on clearance books and almost $600 in the Rare Book Room. It was a lovely day!

I think most people would agree:

1. Expending significant effort and significant money: Serious collector.
2. Expending little/no effort and little/no money: Not serious collector.

But what are people's thoughts on:

3. Expending little/no effort and significant money. (i.e. you just go on Betts one day, buy a copy of every different King book listed for asking price, and all of a sudden have a collection worth $80,000 dollars (or whatever), that you paid 120,000 dollars for.
4. Expending significant effort and little money.

It seems most people would agree 4 is a serious collector (and I do as well), but what about 3? I'd say they are. Or at least could be. Could be they're a 1,000 dollar an hour lawyer that loves the shit out of King, wants an amazing collection, but is better off spending his time lawyering than pissing around with eBay and forums for hours at a time. But then I also tilt back the other way a little, and think that if he's really seriously interested and serious about collecting, wouldn't he make some time even if it wasn't financially advantageous?

[skyofcrack]

I'll tell ya what makes a serious King collector, one who does not sell even when they are homeless and living in their car. Just one book got away. One.

Also, when you have no money yet you are still trying to find a way to buy more books.

[Frankie]

Anyone seeking books for an end goal, collection. As far a value wise my most valuable book is a BOMC 'Salem's Lot, it was my first King book & was a gift that couldn't be replaced by another copy. While I can always buy another S/L or such, I can't replace that BOMC. I think when collecting value is all up to the collector & not necissarily by market value.

Ever see the Simpsons where Homer hocks Lisa's violin for a poker game and fat Tony's goon says "Well, it isn't really worth anything, but the sentimental value is through the roof!"?

I'm the same way. The first King book my mother bought me (and she has since bought me at least two dozen) is a 1st/1st but isn't worth anything, but I'd never sell it for any price. Nah, that's a lie. 100 grand gets it. It's a beat to shit copy of Misery. Also, this is the only time in my life I wished I was older, I coulda had 1sts from Carrie on if I was 50+.

[dnemec]

I'll tell ya what makes a serious King collector, one who does not sell even when they are homeless and living in their car. Just one book got away. One.

Also, when you have no money yet you are still trying to find a way to buy more books.

YES!!!!!!!!

[Frankie]

I'll tell ya what makes a serious King collector, one who does not sell even when they are homeless and living in their car. Just one book got away. One.

Also, when you have no money yet you are still trying to find a way to buy more books.

I gotta ask, what book?

[skyofcrack]

I'll tell ya what makes a serious King collector, one who does not sell even when they are homeless and living in their car. Just one book got away. One.

Also, when you have no money yet you are still trying to find a way to buy more books.

I gotta ask, what book?

My S/L of Christine which I had since 1984.

[needfulthings]

You know you are a Serious Collector... When an Award Winning Author writes a novel about the time you kept Miranda Grey captive in your house & Stephen King writes a 10 page introduction about it. FREDERICK CLEGG

Spoiler:

[mcdonaldj]

Spending money on one book that makes other people (namely non collectors and spouses) look at you in disbelief. Usually followed by the words - "Really?? For a book??" This makes you a serious collector IMO.

Yep, agreed.

[George at C-Springs]

The first King book my mother bought me (and she has since bought me at least two dozen) is a 1st/1st but isn't worth anything, but I'd never sell it for any price.

Yep, mine was her paperback copy of The Dead Zone with the cover torn off. Still go it. Will also sell for 100 grand.

[Merlin1958]

You know you are a serious collector, when you have to pay the mailman to deliver you books in person and hide the payments from your wife.

Example of typical methods of accomplishing this situation....

Spoiler:

[herbertwest]

"2. Expending little/no effort and little/no money: Not serious collector."

I disagree. You dont necessarily have to spend a LOT to be a serious collector. I personnally dont have much money, but i hunt some items. I found some after years of hunting and was lucky to get them for a very small cost.

I also started collecting foreign books from another author. Within a month or so, I now have like 5 of them. I didnt necessarily spend a lot.
What about the guy that is trying to gather every single VHS of the movie SPEED. And buying them as cheaply as possible, if not free?
>> I think that this qualifies as a serious collector.

I think that the most important 'thing' for the definition would be : the consistancy of the hunt.
Someone that spends time to create a collection (no matter how expensive it is), and collecting over a period of time.
And if someone just started collecting, if he goes on a buying spree and then continue to gather stuff over time then yes, i would say that this person becomes a "serious collector".

The main thing is not to be a "serious collector", but to be happy with whather your collection is. Even if you cannot

[Br!an]

They never smile....even with a new P&J...

Now that is serious.

[Br!an]

Spoiler:

WHEN YOU HAVE TO BUY A BOOK ON TIME PAYMENTS!

[thegreattim]

I don't think it necessarily has to do with money, but I agree with The Library Policeman--when you start buying books with a price tag that has non-collectors' jaws dropping, it a good indication you are a serious collector. And when you start buying lots of bookcases with doors to protect your books, it a good indication you are a serious collector. And when you start dropping hundreds of dollars to buy slipcases, Brodart covers, etc., just to protect your books, it a good indication you are a serious collector.

I think for me, it was when I first went to The Strand in NYC. I found my way to the Rare Book Room and went nuts. It's where I bought my first collectible DT books. It's where I bought my first ARCs/proofs (think I picked up 3 that day). And its where I got The Road to the Dark Tower signed by Bev Vincent. I walked out with 2 large shopping bags and a dazed look on my face, having spent a few dollars on clearance books and almost $600 in the Rare Book Room. It was a lovely day!

I think most people would agree:

1. Expending significant effort and significant money: Serious collector.
2. Expending little/no effort and little/no money: Not serious collector.

But what are people's thoughts on:

3. Expending little/no effort and significant money. (i.e. you just go on Betts one day, buy a copy of every different King book listed for asking price, and all of a sudden have a collection worth $80,000 dollars (or whatever), that you paid 120,000 dollars for.
4. Expending significant effort and little money.

It seems most people would agree 4 is a serious collector (and I do as well), but what about 3? I'd say they are. Or at least could be. Could be they're a 1,000 dollar an hour lawyer that loves the shit out of King, wants an amazing collection, but is better off spending his time lawyering than pissing around with eBay and forums for hours at a time. But then I also tilt back the other way a little, and think that if he's really seriously interested and serious about collecting, wouldn't he make some time even if it wasn't financially advantageous?

I think 4 is more of a serious collector than 3, although 3 could be in time. For me, it's more of an "effort and passion" thing than a monetary thing. Like you said (and I misunderstood) just going out and buying a couple hundred dollars worth of hardcovers at once to "complete" your collection doesn't make one a serious collector. Neither does blowing $120k at Bett's at one time to complete your collection either.

[thegreattim]

I'll tell ya what makes a serious King collector, one who does not sell even when they are homeless and living in their car. Just one book got away. One.

Also, when you have no money yet you are still trying to find a way to buy more books.

These two things right here. What can I sell to buy more books, and what is the one thing I'd never sell??

[Br!an]

A collector is anyone who would spend the time discussing the meaning of being a serious collector. A collector is a person who looks for something specific to add to a set they intend to hold on to.

A serious collector is anyone who is often conscious of their collection or collecting goals as contrasted by a casual collector who is occasionally conscious of such.

[skyofcrack]

How about someone who will go through 50 copies in a stack of new books to find that perfect copy with no blemishes then put it in a plastic bag (which he brought to the store specifically for the book) then take it to the register and NOT let the clerk take it from you but gently show them the UPC code through the bag so it can be scanned. Then, pay and get the book safely home and into a Brodart cover ASAP! Serious Collector, OCD or both?

[thegunslinger41]

A serious book collector is all in the eyes of the book holder.

[becca69]

They never smile....even with a new P&J...

LOL.

I'll tell ya what makes a serious King collector, one who does not sell even when they are homeless and living in their car. Just one book got away. One.

Also, when you have no money yet you are still trying to find a way to buy more books.

This.

[Frankie]

How about someone who will go through 50 copies in a stack of new books to find that perfect copy with no blemishes then put it in a plastic bag (which he brought to the store specifically for the book) then take it to the register and NOT let the clerk take it from you but gently show them the UPC code through the bag so it can be scanned. Then, pay and get the book safely home and into a Brodart cover ASAP! Serious Collector, OCD or both?

Someone who's not a collector at all might do that if they had massive OCD, so it could go either way.

[Papaseraphim]

A real collector would definitely buy a book bound in human skin!

Harvard confirms antique book is bound in human skin

[dnemec]

A real collector would definitely buy a book bound in human skin!

Harvard confirms antique book is bound in human skin

I would sooooo have a book bound in human skin in my collection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Randall Flagg]

A real collector would definitely buy a book bound in human skin!

Harvard confirms antique book is bound in human skin

I would sooooo have a book bound in human skin in my collection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll bind a book in my own skin.

Spoiler:

If it's my foreskin, the book will only be trade size, not Octavo