| It all begins with sense of wonder. | | | | difference between a hardcover first printing and a |
| At some point it hits you, an almost magical | | | | paperback reprint. The joy they receive from a |
| attraction to books. It may be books by a particular | | | | book, and one must acknowledge that very real |
| author or books about a distinctly engaging concept | | | | pleasure, comes from the author's content alone. All |
| or it may be the sheer joy of holding a unique | | | | other considerations are inconsequential. |
| volume with a compelling physical appeal. However it | | | | The Book as an object of beauty and inspiration |
| happens, what ever causes it, there is an upwelling of | | | | For those of us who are not book consumers but |
| affection and a sudden sense of wonder. | | | | book collectors, the joy of the text is but one of |
| It is important to keep in mind that almost all book | | | | several delights in a book. Look, feel, the very tactile |
| collectors begin as readers. Readers become | | | | uniqueness of a volume elevate the book from |
| collectors when they find that the books themselves | | | | simple container to an object of physical beauty and |
| have become important objects in and of | | | | romance which augments the thoughts and ideas of |
| themselves. The book has transcended the state of | | | | its author. |
| being merely a vehicle for passing on the author's | | | | We take care of our books like we would other |
| stories and thoughts and becomes an object with | | | | valuable objects. We treat them gently, store them |
| intrinsic beauty and value. Object and content | | | | properly and do our best to protect them from |
| enhance each other, heightening the unique | | | | injury. The very act of owning our books, being able |
| experience the book brings to its owner. | | | | to take them down off the shelf, turn them over in |
| By most accounts, the origin of Science Fiction as a | | | | our hands and take pleasure in their presence, |
| distinct literary genre dates back to 1926, when Hugo | | | | enriches our lives and gives continued delight. |
| Gernsback started publishing what he called | | | | Most collectors of Science Fiction books begin to do |
| "scientifiction" in a new magazine known as Amazing | | | | so because they have found something in the genre |
| Stories. Gernsback said, | | | | that is inspiring. Science Fiction stretches your |
| "...sense of wonder comes not from brilliant writing, | | | | imagination, introduces you to a future of endless |
| nor even from brilliant conceptualizing; it comes from | | | | possibilities and creates a sense of wonder. Included |
| a sudden opening of a closed door in the reader's | | | | within the realm of Science Fiction are also Fantasy |
| mind." | | | | books that take you into the world of magic and |
| Collecting the objects that initiated that amazement | | | | myth and Magic Realism books where everyday life is |
| is the best way to keep it vivid, alive and | | | | transformed into the supernatural, while yet remaining |
| immediately accessible. | | | | grounded in reality. |
| Consumers vs. Collectors | | | | Science Fiction Collections can be valuable |
| Almost all Science Fiction and Fantasy book collectors | | | | There are other reasons to collect Science Fiction |
| begin as readers. This is an important point for by far | | | | and Fantasy books, the economic value among them. |
| the largest numbers of F&SF readers see books | | | | As the popularity of science continues to grow at an |
| as consumables. They are content with reading a | | | | astonishing rate the value and desirability of first |
| library copy or a paperback reprint and think of the | | | | edition and limited edition Science Fiction books |
| book as simply a medium for conveying the author's | | | | continues to intensify as well. First editions and limited |
| subject matter and deserve no more consideration | | | | runs ensure that availability decreases over time. |
| than that. | | | | There exists a large expanding market for books. A |
| Most readers use, and often abuse, the book as | | | | carefully assembled collection of first edition or limited |
| they please, dog-ear corners, make notes in the | | | | print volumes will become increasingly valuable. |
| margins, bend the covers back and break the spine. | | | | Why collect books? Collect them because they |
| For them, books are as disposable as a McDonald's | | | | engage your sense of wonder. Collect them because |
| hamburger wrapper. They are book consumers. | | | | they are beautiful. Collect them because they are |
| For such readers things like the edition of a book, or | | | | valuable. Most important of all, collect them because |
| its condition don't matter. They perceive little | | | | you love them. |