People buy antique books for various reasons. Some purchase these books to sell them later at a profit and others buy to display them in their homes to add elegance. Some collect antique books based on a particular period of time, a specific author or a particular genre. Antique books take the reader right into the past. It is fascinating to read about historical events from the perspective of a writer of that era rather than from the pages of today's books. It is also interesting to read technical books of yesteryears and know about the technological procedures adopted in the bygone era.

It is necessary to take special care of antique books as these delicate books are prone to wear and tear and to damage from moisture and humidity. It is therefore important to respect the age of these books as warped, ripped or creased pages can drastically reduce the value of these books. Most of the antique books are quite heavy and must be placed on a smooth, flat surface to ensure even distribution and support of weight. Acidic vapors released from unsealed wood is damaging to books and it is therefore recommended not to place books that are over a hundred years old and books that are fast becoming antiques on shelves made of this material. Also ensure that you store antique books away from sunlight to prevent fading.

Antique books are priceless and you can even find books that are worth as much as two thousand dollars. There are many ways by which antique book prices are determined. For example, rare books are expensive and so are the popular books. If you want to purchase an antique version of the popular classic Gone with the Wind, then you will be paying more for it than for a less popular book. Old books that are initialed or signed by the author are very expensive. Value of the books is greatly enhanced with just an initial by the author which is one of the reasons for the popularity of book signings. Apart from the time period and author, the original owner of the book is another factor that determines the value of an antique book.

Antique books are available at various places. Avid collectors can purchase books they want from dealers, estate sales, garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores that deal with antiques. Those who cannot afford the original antique books purchase books that are on their way to becoming antiques. These books are available at lesser prices. Collectors take great care of these books for quite some time before selling it at a profit. They definitely get a handsome margin on the original antique book prices. Collectors can look for first edition books, books signed or initialed by the author or a well known personality of that time or for books that are as close to mint condition as possible.

When you buy antique books you are helping to preserve history. They will appreciate in value over time. However, I find the greatest enjoyment I get from these antiques books is the conversation generated by friends when they visit and see my books on the shelf.