Investing in Collectibles: The Rare Book Market is on Fire! Let's Review Heritage Auction Results!

*** Recorded at 1 AM EST in a cozy basement office somewhere outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ***Welcome back to Reserved Investments! In this video, we provide an update to the rare book market (spoiler alert: it is on fire if you have some the top collectible books in this category.) Have a free Heritage Auctions account? If so, you can follow along with some of the record breaking sales we are covering in this very video. The links to the exact items we are discussing are listed below.
Email for Antique/Collectible Consulting Services: [e-mail]
Patreon: / reservedinvestments
Links to auction items discussed in this video (you may need a free Heritage Auctions account to view these items/links):
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein:
historical.ha.com/itm/books/l...
The Great Gatsby:
historical.ha.com/itm/books/l...
The Hobbit:
historical.ha.com/itm/books/l...
Charlotte's Web:
historical.ha.com/itm/books/l...
The Death of a Salesman:
historical.ha.com/itm/books/l...
Disclaimer: Speculating and investing in antiques and collectibles is inherently risky. Videos are not intended to provide direct investing advice.

[@sidneyrivera3578]

I find ALL these collectible markets fascinating. The concept of spending so much money on HAVING something to sit on a shelf, versus DOING something, 🤯

[@greenbeartv]

Love your enthusiasm buddy!

[@dustinandrews7409]

I have been actively selling books for the past 5 years. The main trend I see is if you stick to vintage horror and sci-fi and antique classic books you will do alright in this market.

[@Nswin17384]

Yes, great video, would love to learn more or just listen to you talk about the individual books you mentioned!

[@Swammey]

Loved all the background info on the listings. 500 copies made just about 200 years ago? Makes you wonder how many are left.

[@stephenhalderman696]

It is an interesting market. I started collecting some of my favorite science fiction author’s first editions. When researching what to pay, they have doubled in price from 5-6 years ago. Of course, condition of the book and intact dust jackets make a large price difference. Even the early pulps have risen in price.

[@Swammey]

And thanks for mentioning Death of a Salesman. Born in 91' I had not seen or read it before. I watched the 66' film with Lee Cobb and Gene Wilder today. It was great, so I am watching the 85' with Dustin Hoffman.

[@runamuck316]

If you want to read a novel about (never ending) heartbreak, I recommend "Of Human Bondage," the 1915 novel by W. Somerset Vaughan.

[@drprocess2989]

Shawn, great video. Thank you for the content. Would love to see more videos devoted to rare book collecting. Similarly, Great Gatsby holds personal significance with me as well. 👍🏻

[@tedsmiles8145]

I have been waiting for more rare books videos! Absolutely loved this.

[@kurjan1]

As a book collector, please do more videos on this topic. I agree they are something to be held over the long term, but, if you buy well, I have found they do make for a pretty decent investment. Apart from the financial aspect, there is something special about spending time in your library with beautiful books and art etc.

[@tcgbuyersclub]

Great video Shawn! I’ve always loved books and have hoarded copies for years but… never gotten into the serious collectible side of them. It’s a market I’m very interested in however so maybe one day. Thanks for this introduction and overview of the recent sales!

[@comickebs748]

Yes please! I’m slowly becoming interested in first edition collecting. My question: how do you preserve them appropriately if they are older?

[@ReservedInvestments]

Great question! You can buy archival cases for the books. You just need to store them in a cool, dark, and dry place, Safe deposit boxes work perfect for this. You do have to preserve the condition of the book because older books are extremely fragile.

[@sebastienmillon6149]

I love collecting and selling books. I'm not involved in the higher end, but enjoy thrifting especially children's books. There are some real gems to be found! Plus lots of great artists and illustrators have worked in that field, very fun to see all the various styles and changes over time.

[@Odinoian]

I don't read much but I adore the meaning of timeless, written/printed media from a bygone, analogue era. Especially if they reflect their time in some way or have cultural significance. Nothing of value, but I have a old, leather-bound, Norwegian "handbook for mechanics" with beautiful, embossed pattern on the cover. I kept a few just for their history

[@ww8552]

Hey Shawn! Have been dying to learn more about book collecting! Such as what's considered true 1st Ed; which is more valuable between paperback and hardcover; what are book club or library copies? Please post more!

[@bat2275]

The first dog that I owned as an adult I named Gatsby 🐶

[@masterbuilder2856]

I missed out on an American first edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone recently in a Goodwill. I was confused about the number line not being a straight 1-10/10-1. I went home, thought about it, looked it up, and then realized what I missed. I raced back to the Goodwill, but it was gone.... 😭😭😭😭 I ended up finding a first edition of The Chamber of Secrets at least.... 🤷

[@knights_of_old]

Pre war Hobbit edition any day of the week. With or without the movies it stands tall.

[@UKDark_Mark]

A complex and intricate market that I’ve had an interest in for some time. Be warned; if a book originally came with a dust jacket then having it in as near to perfect condition as possible (without the help of TPG) will affect the value of whichever book as much as 200% or more. Then there are signed copies; not necessarily what you expect (inscriptions are the problem). Good luck if you choose to invest in this field. Great video! 👍

[@DanSchawbel]

Explain what you mean by signed copies aren’t what you’d expect and inscriptions please.

[@UKDark_Mark]

@@DanSchawbel Books with inscriptions in the form of dedications to specifically named people tend to go for far less money than books with more generic inscriptions. And signatures: check they’re genuine (without third party grading).

[@adamchace]

Picked up the Great Gatsby first edition , UK edition, in Ireland last year. Didn't realize this market was hot, was a gift.

[@tomneijnens4048]

Thank you very much

[@Johndeplume.]

I agree with your sentiments on Ebay... I don't value 'The Death of a Salesman' as highly as you do, but completely agree that Ebay would be a bad platform to sell on in order to achieve the highest price for it (esp. when considering fees they charge, and all the other uncertainties that the platform brings). I know you didn't mention Harry Potter, but I'd say the original first printing, first edition (with mistakes) book of Harry Potter has financially outperformed any other book I can think of in such a short term since it was first published (even factoring in inflation and other financial factors over time). Some of the books you've mentioned have required 1-2 centuries to achieve their current values. I think the above Harry Potter book will maintain popularity in the years to come, and I think the price may-well increase; but I don't think that those paying record prices for a copy now, will be too happy with the rate of return in 10/20/50 years time. I think the prices will plateau. Just my opinion. What do you think, Shawn? Will those paying the record prices now, get hit in the face with a stale doughnut? As always, thank you for the content. First Edition books (esp. signed) is a category I've focussed on in recent years, so I appreciated your upload on this subject. 👍

[@doctorshawn3461]

I followed this auction closely as I am seriously thinking about collecting old books. Currently I collect comic books. My open question: is there a "price guide" that lists sales of old books from ebay or auction sites so that we can compare sales and have some gauge for book value (much like gpanalysis or gocollect for comics)?

[@ReservedInvestments]

Nothing on par with the sites you mention. This market is more specialized and research pays off.

[@Kornheiser10]

As a GenXr, the 1st Edition of the oversized hardback edition with the Bass/Rankin animated illustrations of The Hobbit is a must have for any Tolkien collector. The dust cover is a must as it has significant illustration related to Smaug.

[@artmusicliterature9859]

First edition Moby Dick is my grail. I've seen listings from 20,000-80,000.

[@aaronsnyder5989]

Hmm your enjoyment of sad and depressing themes explains your constant dealings with Timmys, Kimmys and Poindexters.

[@weupinherrr6007]

Happy Independence Day Shawn! Have you read "for whom the bell tolls" or "the old man and the sea" by Hemingway? I think you would like both. I hope you have a great day!

[@ReservedInvestments]

Of course!

[@weupinherrr6007]

@@ReservedInvestments Nice! I liked both, but the old man and the sea is one of my all time favorites. I have a serious book back log, but hoping to knock out the great Gatsby this year. Crazy enough I never read it and didn't watch the movie, so no spoilers! 😃

[@treyw1171]

Great topic. Would like to hear some more information on Mark Twain first editions because I have a couple :)

[@Minilopo18]

Although i agree that the hobbit seems overpriced, I remember commenting a year or two ago when Superman (action comics 1) was selling multiple magnitudes above a 1st edition Hobbit that it seems weird the price discovery is so different. Catagories (comics & books) seem out of wack with one another

[@hartspot009]

Great presentation on this market ! Ive always admired rare first editions, but never played in that sandbox. Death of a Salesman first edition for 3k and change? You bet.

[@4fb182]

Great video! Would love more content on rare books, its fascinating. I am a big Cormac McCarthy fan and have an eye out for a 1st edition Blood Meridian. There's a later auction this month at Heritage where the starting bid is at $3k ($3,750) for this book. By comparison to the Death of a Salesman you analyzed, it seems like a crazy starting price for a book released in the mid 80s! Is this a case where perhaps both Salesman is undervalued and Meridian is overvalued?

[@lowrollerscratcher3563]

I am planning to buy as much the first edition Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone In thrift shops and garage sales. In 20 years from now. I can sell it 6 figures like the great gatsby book. I will be super rich person soon by holding the first edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book.

[@danielginsburg9558]

I like this idea. The problem is that I see so many first editions in thrift stores, to the point where I don't ever see any scarcity. The value is in sealed sets.

[@slimthumbtak]

I've read Gatsby three times. First, in high school and it kinda fell flat too me. Just too young. Again when I was about 30. Understood it more and really liked it. Once again around age 40 and really understood it and REALLY liked it. It is a great book.

[@ReservedInvestments]

Gatsby is a very flawed man with a lot of trauma. He’s just not as flawed as ‘Daisy’ or ‘Tom.’

[@onetime3137]

Haven’t watched video yet. Got excited when I seen title lol. I have a Warren Buffett book signed/personalized to someone, but it also says Buy low sell high. Would you keep it as a book or make a sick framed poster out of it with it being cut out and encapsulated? I’m thinking of selling when he dies ( if that’s still a thing ). Curious of anyone’s thoughts especially reserved investments. Appreciate you RI !!!!!

[@lowrollerscratcher3563]

If we buy first edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book will be worth 500k dollars in the future. If we can find the first edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in thrift shop. We will be rich in the future.. if we sell it in 20 years from now.

[@custum18]

Younger generations don't read. What do you think Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Gen Beta will do to this market? Especially as reading continues to go more digital.

[@ReservedInvestments]

By that logic, comic books will be dead then too.

[@blueodum]

What do you think the first English language printing of Plato's Republic would be worth? Is one known to exist?

[@michaelscomicscorner2584]

Is there a market for 1st edition copies of notable (i.e. popular, definitive) works of history? Personally, I have been on the look out for a nice condition of RR Palmer's book on the Reign of Terror, Twelve Who Ruled.

[@DeltaFH]

Now that the market is hot, time for me to invest in reverse

[@TheSillySils]

Great Gatsby: 1 Movie. LOTR and Hobbit: 6 Movies. Problem solved lol. We know the better written work ;)

[@KeyKiller74]

One will only think that Harry Potter 1st. edition signed books will have the same value impact as the Hobbit.

[@Kornheiser10]

Probably not because the numbers printed were less for the Hobbit, Tolkien did sign like Rowlings, and people kept their Potter Books in much better condition.

[@TheMysteryDriver]

So you're saying I should start a rare book grading company.

[@glycineairman]

Shaun, are you worried about your shelf holding the heritage catalogs? It’s looking dicey up there

[@ReservedInvestments]

Honestly, I am hoping it craters in the middle of a video if it is going to go...I don't know editing so I would just keep on recording! LOL.

[@6Atomic6Rooster6]

@@ReservedInvestments would beat getting slapped in the face with a stale doughnut! 😂

[@iamnobody2]

the hobbit is Epic Pooh, like moorcock said

[@TOSStarTrek]

Got two rare books. Mine are not worth a much.