How to Become an Antique Book Appraiser

To become an antique book appraiser, you'll need a thorough knowledge not only of literature and literary history, but also of the fine technical points of bookmaking. An antique book appraiser's job is to evaluate the condition and rarity of book volumes, most commonly on behalf of private collectors, museums, archives and art galleries.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• College degree in a literature-related field (recommended)

1. Study literature at the college or graduate level, and read books. Being familiar with as many writers as possible, from as many different eras and countries as possible, will make you a better antique book appraiser.

2. Learn the basics of how to evaluate an antique book's condition. Purchase a guide book on the subject, study its contents and supplement your learning by finding a book merchant with some expertise in the area who's willing to teach you more, preferably using hands-on examples.

3. Gain a familiarity with the different book-binding and printing techniques used throughout the history of publishing. You should also learn about the types of paper used in book printing and the materials used in book binding. A knowledge of these topics will help you determine not only a book's provenance, but also its authenticity.

4. Consult antique book price guides, which are readily available online and in bookstores. Purchase a reference copy of a reputable price guide, ideally the one that lists the greatest number of antique books.

5. Use your price guide as a reference, taking into account not only the listed value of the book, but also the condition, rarity and demand for a particular edition. Gain practice doing this by apprenticing under an established antique book appraiser. You'll become better qualified as you are further exposed to the finer points of book appraisal.

6. Build contacts through networking to find work opportunities. In the United States, there are no government-regulated licensing bureaus for people who want to become antique book appraisers. It is a self-taught skill that can only be mastered through dedication and years of training and study. The expertise you attain is your only qualification, and your only means to a career as a book appraiser.

Tips & Warnings

• Some book appraisers build a career out of attaining a very high level of expertise in a relatively narrow field, like Charles Dickens first editions or 17th-century French books.
• The job market for an antique book appraiser will generally not provide a full-time income, except at the highest levels. Many antique book experts offer appraisal services out of the bookstores they own and operate, which provide their primary source of income.

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