Dear Lit & Flicks: Collector in Training

New Year’s resolution: Bring back Dear Lit and Flicks

Dear Lit & Flicks,

What book covers and spines are worth the upgrade for having in your personal library collection? Would you be willing to spend this much (see response for context) for the perfect tome? Or are they just an ostentatious display of “shelf wealth?” 

-Collector in training

For context: I received this inquiry based off of an article detailing how several publishers offer deluxe special editions of books that can go for hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

Dear Collector in Training,

I’ll start by saying that a book is not so much the pages and binding, as it is the story. However, I certainly have plenty of books in my collection, including a few special editions. While my personal collection doesn’t include anything with a luxury price tag of thousands of dollars, I understand wanting to own a special version of your favorite stories. A few of my own special editions include The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Secret Garden, and Cloud Cuckoo Land. I’m planning to purchase the 25th Anniversary edition of A Series of Unfortunate Events. If a book means something special to you, go ahead and treat yourself to a fancy version to indicate its status as a prized possession. However, if purchasing a luxury edition is just a way to flaunt status and money, I think you’re missing the point of a book collection.

Sincerely,

Lit and Flicks