How to Become a Rare Books Dealer

Rare books can be sold for great amounts of money.

Rare books include titles that are out of print and hard to find, first editions written by well-known authors and books that are many decades old. Antiquarian books are collected by many, and since they are quite uncommon, can command top dollar when sold. Rare books dealers make their living finding and selling these titles to collectors. If you want to become a rare books dealer, you can do several things to grow your business into a success.

Instructions

1. Learn how to price, identify and properly store rare books. You can talk with established antiquarian book dealers or read books, such as "Book Finds, 3rd Edition: How to Find, Buy, and Sell Used and Rare Books" by Ian Ellis or "Book Row: An Anecdotal and Pictorial History of the Antiquarian Book Trade" by Marvin Mondlin and Roy Meador.

2. Secure at least one venue to sell your rare books. Options include an online marketplace, such as eBay, Amazon, Bonanza or Etsy, your own e-commerce site, an antiques mall, flea market or opening your own brick-and-mortar bookstore. Opening a store is the most expensive option, while becoming a flea or antiques market vendor is one of the least expensive ways to get into the rare books business.

3. Find a place to store the books you will sell. You likely won't need to rent a storage facility or warehouse. Several wooden or metal bookcases placed in an area that is free of dampness, direct sunlight and pets will suffice. It's also important that you not allow any smoking in the area where you store your books--the paper will easily absorb the odor.

4. Build up your inventory. As a dealer of antiquarian books, you can't simply open a wholesale account with a publishing house or book distributor. Instead, you will have to hunt down your merchandise. Scour estate sales, especially those of former professors, writers and book collectors, garage sales, flea markets, online and print classified-ads to find rare books. Until you get comfortable identifying and buying books, bring a pricing guide along with you, such as "Antique Trader Book Collector's Price Guide" by Richard Russell, so that you don't end up paying too much for any one title.

5. Join an association, such as the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America or the International Rare Books Collectors Association. Doing so will enable you to network with other rare book dealers, get information about industry trends and connect with potential buyers.

References

• William Reese Company: The Rare Book Market Today; William S. Reese
• Between the Covers: A Look at the American Antiquarian Book Trade; Tom Congalton
• The Guardian: A Working Life: The Rare-Book Dealer; Mark Tran; Oct. 9, 2010