John Carter's ABC for Book Collectors has long been established as the most enjoyable as well as the most informative reference book on the subject...
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reviews
Feb 11, 2009
Frankie
rated it: 
Containing a wealth of trivial-for-some-but-not-for-me information and terminology on book collecting, ABC... proved itself readable per sitting as well as a reference. I thought it (in 8th ed.) a bit expensive for its size (or format, ibid.), but it paid for itself when I saved $65 on a recent purchase of a translator-signed rarity. Descriptions of terms of condition, format (I always wondered what "8vo" meant), bindings, auction and cataloguers' lingo were succinct and easy to compre
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Dec 02, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
I learned I do not really want to be a book collector. I like reading books to much. Rare books often can't be read since that could damage them. I would rather read a reprint. But it was still really interesting reading about old, rare, expensive books and the people who collect them.
Oct 04, 2010
Read by ACRL Member of the Week Simona Tabacaru. Learn more about Simona on the ACRL Insider blog.
Feb 23, 2009
Lynne
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Key book for anyone interested in book collecting. A great glossary with a sense of humor.
Aug 23, 2011
Elizabeth
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I've no doubt that this is an indispensable reference book, but it is far less witty than the collector's accounts of it I've heard led me to believe. The most whimsical element is how it labels the material elements of the book itself (endpapers, verso, recto, etc.) in order to provide real evidence of definitions.
Dec 18, 2009
Sarah
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So, it's basically a dictionary for rare books and the antiquarian book trade. But don't expect scholarly non-biased descriptions. They are scholarly. But the author has a slight air of snobbery which is thoroughly entertaining. He knows his stuff and isn't afraid to talk snootily of the book trade and its less savory aspects. Seriously, read a dictionary shouldn't be this enjoyable. Also, these "biased" descriptions offer lots of subtle insight into the book trade for newbies.
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Sep 14, 2008
Natalie
rated it:
This was a required textbook for one of my library school classes. I still use it today. It explains parts of a book and is so helpful in understanding the book printing process of the past and present.
Jul 27, 2011
Misty
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Very useful for book collectors or catalogers. Everything you ever wanted to know about books, as far as structure, printing, publishing, etc....
Aug 12, 2008
Jen
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"Ham-fisted layman" beware! An essential primer put together in dictionary-style which is often surprisingly amusing to read.
Jun 30, 2008
Since I love collecting them so much, I guess I should learn what the hell I'm doing... :)
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