Abundance, eclecticism, astounding diversity are the key words of old books. This comprehensive term includes both actually old books (that is, printed following Gutemberg’s invention until 1880) and modern books of the XIX and XX centuries. It also covers other fields: bindings, periodicals, sundry historic documents and all matters related to graphic arts, typographies, engravings, designs, maps, posters, etc., including manuscripts and autographs.

The former deal with all different events and documents, either past or present, that is the reason of the peculiar denomination as opposed to "modern bookshops" selling exclusively newly published editions and books available from publishers.

These ideas are conveyed in old books: sciences and techniques, voyages, medicine, books for children, literature, fine arts, history, architecture, law, philosophy, economics, fashion, music, dancing, natural history, gastronomy, orientalism, religion, esoteric doctrines, regionalism, heraldry, hunting, fishing, gardening, horse-riding, etc.

What is it that booklovers may be fond of? We also have diverse topics here. Every person, in line with his/her taste, prefers one or several aspects of books. An ordinary printing, a simple small book may turn out to be a precious object for booklovers. There are several reasons for this: the subject-matter, the author, the diagramming, the publisher or place where the book was printed, the illustrations... Some booklovers exclusively devote to the search for works dedicated by the author, or autographs, engravings or deluxe bindings, or books for children where readers are placed face-to-face with their past ... Books hold knowledge, devotion, culture and aesthetic emotion.4

The original edition of a literary work or old goose games printed in 1600, a simple handwritten letter of Victor Hugo inviting to dinner, the Marseillaise manuscript, the first book containing Miró’s illustrations which was a compilation of songs for children, a treaty on medicine in the end of the XVII century mentioning the correct uses of chocolate , Suzette’s or Babar’s album of La Semaine , books illustrated with photographs , etc.

In France, Mazarin, who collected 45,000 upon the opening of the Mazarine Library, Fouquet, the Marquise of Pompadour, the Duke of Aumale, dressmaker Jacques Doucet, Paul Eluard, Sacha Guitry, Roger Peyrefitte, Francois Mitterand, Daniel Filipacchi, Umberto Eco... not to mention the greatest collections and libraries throughout the world.

Because of its five centuries of book printing and editions of books, France holds a privileged position on the worldwide market of old books, in particular due to its reputed literary heritage, its rich collections and the long-standing tradition for loving books.

The old book represents an authentic crossroads where the writer, an artist (engravings, sheets and illustrated books) a publisher (for example Hetzel for Jules Verne), a binder, a specialized bookseller and a booklover meet together. You could be the booklover

What shall we do? The main point is to be curious: visit bookshops or navigate on Internet. Booksellers will be your best introducers, counselors and suppliers.

Live the adventure and make your choice from a variety of items: books, autographs, drawings, a period of time, a region, a subject-matter, an author, fine documents, illustrations, fine bindings, books for children.... You will thus discover your favorite field and will arrange your purchases according to the selected option.

That will be the best solution. In fact, specialized booksellers and publishers are always looking for books and find for their clients, unusual works, either out of print or with a few printed copies, dealing with any subject. They examine and carefully study such books to verify the completeness and bibliographical status thereof. They are highly qualified to render the best advice..

You will find a wide range of books, autographs and engravings selected by reason of their historical, aesthetic, scientific or artistic value. These catalogues offer an accurate description of each book or document together with comments which give light to and enhance the knowledge of a work or its author. Booksellers guarantee that the information provided is accurate.

Always buy those books which you like best, even though they may be modest. As your collection grows bigger and better, your taste will also become more refined: in fact, it will be your best advisor after the bookseller. Those works which are modest today may be deemed to be "rare books" within a few years. Always choose complete works with all their pages since there is no hope that incomplete collections could be gathered. The ideal condition of a book is that which most resembles its original condition. You should then buy books which are in good or excellent conditions.

To gather a collection is not an issue of money but of taste and intuition. A good book may be bought at U.S.$ 100, complete, in good condition, paperbacked or plainly bound and pertaining to any period. Many "rare" books are under U.S.$2,000. Most of the so called "precious" works have been fixed a price which matches their quality.

You should preferably keep them according to their size so that the bigger ones should not become deformed. They must be together but not so close: you should never damage a book in trying to remove another. Two methods should be taken into account. If there is room left behind the shelve, place your hand from behind and push the volume towards you. Otherwise, push both volumes enclosing the book you want to read; you will then grasp it with your thumb and index. You should gently remove the two remaining volumes. The three books may be returned to their original places without any difficulties. Follow this golden rule: you should never drag a book from its headcap, that is from above its spine.

Books are sensitive to the action of the three elements. You should avoid extremely hot and damp places as well as the direct action of sunrays. Do not forget that your books, autographs, manuscripts and engravings are fragile items which you should handle with care and to which you must pay due respect .

It will be very useful. You must write down: a description of the book, its price, the place where you bought it, whom did you lend it to, and any other useful data, all arranged in alphabetical order or according to themes. As you enlarge your collection, you will find it is very useful.

No fixed rules. Sometimes, both options should be adopted to save a book. All booksellers affiliated to the Trade Union may advice you on where to look for a binder or restorer of paper or binding. In some cases, either to protect it or because there is no point in binding it, you may keep it in a case.

Of course, although some precautions must be taken. Turn the pages gently so as not to mark the paper or break the spine. Any mark, however small (pay attention to scratches) may cause the price to decrease. Your are the safe keeper of the good quality and beauty of your books and you must protect them .... by handling them with the care they deserve.

THE ABC OF OLD/MODERN BOOKS