My Antique Book Collection (feat. the oldest book I own)

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Of course I immediately ordered that edition of Classical Myths from Herzberg after seeing this. I have the Omnibus of Crime. It’s amazing. I love your Whitehouse Cookbook. I like that History of Literature! Those Wilkie Collins books are fantastic. Great find! Obviously this is my kind of video.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Lol, clearly we are fellow lovers of old books. I love Classical Myths and I hope it isn't too expensive to buy! The Omnibus of Crime is such a pretty book, even if I haven't been able to read it yet. All these books are some of my favorites I own.

[@davidwilliams7271]

Delightful, especially poetical works

[@AnneEWilliamson]

They are such beautiful books!

[@franciscomartin1056]

Love this video… especially showing off the art and beauty of old books. Thanks, greetings from California.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! I'm a sucker at admiring old books!

[@katrinabrown]

I love old books! The feel and smell are the best! That edition of Moby Dick is gorgeous 😍😍😍

[@MrFredstt]

Great to see another antique book collector! The oldest book I have is from 1899 and was gifted to me by my grandfather. Sadly, it's not in great condition so I don't take it out and flip through it often

[@lisavitale8410]

Beautiful collection! I would love to collect vintage cookbooks at some point in the future. I really liked your White House cookbook.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! Yes, vintage cookbooks can be so interesting, to see how different cooking was even a few decades ago!

[@zongling8948]

So glad to watch this video, I'm also a book collector.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

It can be an expensive hobby, but I love it so much!

[@zongling8948]

@@AnneEWilliamson HHHH, true， actually I'm Chinese and I have been to 20 countries to search for antique books. Its a quite fabulous and familiar sense to see someone who also precious such antique books☺, especially I’m living in a non-English environment！

[@lArtemislll]

My oldest is 1718. I love it so much. Its by Pierre Dionis. It is about midwifery and shows the first documentation of an ectopic pregnancy.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Wow, that's so cool! What a great find!

[@stanbrown32]

Old bookstore stickers are so fun :) And that Omnibus of Crime is a great book!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

They are! It's such a pretty book!

[@michaelderenne9838]

Collecting old books is really cool. My oldest books are from the 1700's.

[@MsReadsAlot]

Some beautiful books!!! Thank you for sharing! I love the music in the history book!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! I love old books, clearly, lol.

[@BookBuds]

Oh wow! Those old menu planning pictures! So neat. You have a great collection. Love this!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Right? Menu planning from the Victorian Era is so cool! Thank you!

[@zmvibestv8010]

v. brun guerres maritimes de la france port de toulon 1861

[@pamelatarajcak5634]

This is an interesting collection. I have a small collection. My oldest was the first American edition of The Jungle Book by Kipling, published in 1897,which was inherited from my great uncle.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Wow, that's so cool! The Jungle Book is such a beautiful book, and it's cool that your copy was passed down from your great uncle!

[@IridescentEye]

Antiquarian book collecting can become somewhat addictive. Your presentation suggests an aesthetic appreciation, as well as content (doesn't bode well ha!). A book can really be a thing of beauty, especially press printed books on linen laid paper. From a technological perspective, holding the page up to the sunlight, seeing the striations of the wire paper making form is a delight. A book like that is the laborious culmination of not only the writer, but of the printer and in particular the paper maker (approx. 1500 chancery pages per day for a team of three). A couple of notable books in my collection are, 1. The Holy State (Thomas Fuller) 2nd Ed. 1648 (1st Ed. 1642). Basically two books in one, the first concerning the correct behaviour of various stations and professions in life, servant, master, husband wife, soldier, labourer etc. Each having an exemplar to follow. The second entitled 'Profane State' (although only part of the main title in much later editions) concerns unvirtuous stations in life such as witch, harlot, and some male equivalents that I can't remember right now, also with examples. 2. A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence: in Antiquities. Concerning the most noble and renowned English Nation (Richard Verstegan) 2nd Ed. 1628 (1st Ed. 1605). A book concerning English Anglo-Saxon origins and related folklore etc. Two notable sections are the first English telling of the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin and the trial and execution of Peter Stumpp. Peter Stumpp, a farmer from Bedburg Germany, was accused and executed for Werewolfery. By this retelling Werewolves were sorcerers that used ointments and wore sashes of a diabolical nature in order to convert themselves in to the likeness of wolves ..... more of a continental thing rather than English I believe. Surprisingly I managed to get number one for a little under £300 and number two for a little over £300 at auction, including fees, although retail they seem to go for double that. If one is canny, the world of antiquarian book collecting is definitely achievable. I was also a poverty stricken student (well booze and cigarettes took precedence). Edit ... I've just discovered Fore Edged Painting ... Great I'm going to be broke!

[@-.Germanicus.-]

I do love old books. The plainness they have in their covers. Nothing flashy needed. The Whitehouse cookbook makes me wonder if someone was cooking with it and it got burned somehow lol

[@AnneEWilliamson]

I agree! So pretty, not flashy. And that would make sense if someone was cooking and burnt it, lol.

[@AdelaideBeemanWhite]

What a wonderful video! I’ve just subscribed! I also love old books. I have a pamphlet from 1637, but the oldest bound book I have is from 1701.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! Wow, 1637? That's wonderful!

[@IridescentEye]

May I ask what the pamphlet is about?

[@gardenplots283]

I think the oldest book I have was published in the 1880s and was a small collection of Nathaniel Hawthorne stories copyrighted decades earlier. None of my old books are of any real monetary value but except for a few have old bookplates and names of previous owners. One of the previous owners of the Hawthorne book added a very small but intricate bookplate and dated the book January 1889. I am a sucker for bookplates and inscriptions.

[@ABlurbFromTheSerb]

So cool! I love old books that are in good condition, but if they have a lot of foxing or stains, I don't buy them because I'm weird like that. That last one looks so good! And YES we want part two!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! I definitely prefer books in better condition, but if it's really old and cheap, often I'll buy books in not the best condition. And I'm amazed how old the last one was for how good condition it's in.

[@jimgordon6629]

Loved this! I am happy to see so many young people on You Tube so enthusiastic about antiquarian books. I would recommend that you seek out estate sales in your area. If you get lucky, you can find amazing things. I recently found books about the Civil War and Mexican War written just after the wars, and a book published in the 18th century of letters written by the wife of the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire about her adventures in Turkey. Your book of The Four Horsemen if the Apocalypse was made into a highly successful movie that was one of Rudolph Valentino’s biggest hits! Anyway, this was a breath of fresh air! Greetings from Texas!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! I have gone to a couple estate sales, but so far I haven't found books older then the last fifty years or so. And those are some awesome finds! I had no idea The Four Horsemen was made into a movie, though since seeing Valentino in The Sheik I have had mixed feeling about his appeal. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!

[@BookTimeWithRyan]

And I’ve subscribed to you! Nice job on this!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you so much!

[@BookTimeWithRyan]

I just posted a collecting video and I think BookTube suggested your video because of that. I really enjoyed it! I think the photo in your Moby-Dick was from an early movie that they added a love story to (and some other stuff). Really cool!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Really? That's cool! Though I'm honestly not a big fan of Hollywood adding romance to every classic novel adaptation. I mean, the original is good enough, lol.

[@BookTimeWithRyan]

@@AnneEWilliamson the movie from 1956 with Gregory Peck is great. It’s very close to the book and Peck is amazing.

[@attention5638]

Chances of Death looked like it would be really interesting to flip through. A lot of those early history books are fun to check out, just to see how our perceptions on some issues have changed. I think the oldest book I have is an encyclopedia from the 1780s. It is fun to look through!😎

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Wow, 1780s? That's so old! And one of my favorite books to buy is vintage history books, because they are fascinating to analyze against modern perceptions on a topic. It's so cool!

[@keeplixphotography3145]

Beautiful collection ! I am a French student, and it’s easier to find old book in France I think. My oldest one is from 1561, and I have many others from the XVIIst century

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! Wow, that's amazing! A book from the 1500s?? That's so cool!

[@keeplixphotography3145]

@@AnneEWilliamson yes, but it’s all in latin haha

[@AnneEWilliamson]

@@keeplixphotography3145 Ah, well...that makes it hard to read, lol.

[@keeplixphotography3145]

@@AnneEWilliamson yes haha

[@classictoons_12]

Big fan ✨

[@laurademilio8884]

1890 is your oldest book? I have books from the 1830s. You have a lovely collection and it's REALLY great you are so enthusiastic about books, but I hope you can find even older ones some day, they're really special and some of them are still out there. . . .

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you! I wish I had older ones, but all the books I've got are from Goodwills and cheap thrift stores. I've never had the money to buy truly old books. Maybe someday!

[@volfi123]

@@AnneEWilliamson Taking good care of the ones you have is all that matters anyways. Books belong us only for the duration of our lives, we need to pass em on in the same or better condition that we found em

[@bnferguson9827]

Hey girl I'm the same way I go to thrift stores to buy my books. It's the best😀👍 The oldest book I have is from 1830 I got it for 5 dollars at a Brenham antique store here Texas we got a ton of old stuff here. I've always loved books and have a need to rescue them but anyways loved the video😀👍

[@AnneEWilliamson]

That's awesome! There are so many amazing finds at thrift stores!

[@bnferguson9827]

@@AnneEWilliamson sure is😀👍

[@ba-gg6jo]

Your post prompted me to have a look at some of my older books. I think Cassell's History of England is my oldest collection printed in 1874. Rather musty now but still treasured, even with the non-pc language😂

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Wow, 1874? That's so cool! Most classics don't have pc language, but usually I don't mind because of how different the era was they were published in.

[@ba-gg6jo]

@@AnneEWilliamson Nice to hear you take a sensible approach to views and themes held in the past. I get a little annoyed with readers applying current mores to literature written in the past. Doesn't show a particularly flexible mind in my humble opinion.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

@@ba-gg6jo I agree completely! It's easy to judge people of the past from modern standards, but since they lived in a completely different world than we live in, it seems unfair to judge them with our beliefs.

[@ThePaulKM]

I am new to collecting antique books. The oldest I have in my collection right now (though I also currently watching some that are even older) is from 1794 (I believe). I am just wondering if it is acceptable to read through these older books, as I don't want to ruin them, but I also am not content with letting them sit on a shelf for the rest of their existence. I don't plan on selling them ever, but I do want to pass them onto my children eventually. If anyone has more experience in this area, please let me know what are acceptable measures taken for reading antique books (or if that is completely recommended against). There doesn't seem to be much information on this question specifically anywhere online.

[@IridescentEye]

Clean, dry hands are the best thing to read antiquarian books with. Gloves are somewhat frowned upon these days, as it is much easier to snag the pages with cloth than it is skin. One thing I would add, it's good practise not to let the binding go flat ... i.e. when opening the book have a small prop to the book's left so that the front cover is propped up a little. Most of all I would recommend relaxing and enjoying the book .... it has survived over 200 years with less thought than you're giving it. No reason why it wouldn't survive another two centuries. .

[@jonathanbarnes3061]

Never underestimate the power of a three dollar book.

[@ReadingRetail]

this vid made me think.. i wonder what is the oldest book i own. i have no clue!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

I didn't either until I did this video! It's fun to figure out things.

[@whyamionline8731]

Definitely the oldest book I have is a classic myths book from 1893. Though that is followed closely by a book of comedy from the early 1900s.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Yes! I want to read that classic myths book eventually!

[@ba-gg6jo]

Nice. The book of comedy sounds interesting.

[@dakotaquillen96]

My oldest book is Timothys quest a story by kate douglas wiggin 1890,a thrift store find

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Very cool! Thrift stores are the best!

[@dakotaquillen96]

Update my oldest now,is Canonical consultations on the sacrament of the order 1725 from of course 1725

[@AnneEWilliamson]

@@dakotaquillen96 Wow...even older, lol.

[@spackretired]

Thomas More was a lawyer, not a theologian... But you have really beautiful books!

[@doctorjohnsmithchloecharlo6711]

oldest book i own is from 1719 its called a help to read the holy scripture

[@P.EnglishLiterature]

Hi there, Anne. I so much love your channel, as in, I give it 5 of 5 starts. It's a pleasure to discover your channel, I just subscribed to you. I was checking out on other fellow BookTubers and it's exciting to find you. I love your techniques with book reviews and illustration. I'll start checking up for more contents on your channel. Great to find you, you may want to check mine too😊. I love the making of the video too. This is superb to what I've seen hitherto.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to check out your channel too!

[@P.EnglishLiterature]

@@AnneEWilliamson Thank you so much Anne! 😊

[@IASishuu]

Where can I buy these books ?

[@AnneEWilliamson]

I bought them mostly from local thrift stores, but if you're willing to spend more money, there are so many on online stores like Ebay.

[@IASishuu]

@@AnneEWilliamson I'm from India is this ebay app from in India..You make a video of vintage paper cheap books ...which we can buy online in india

[@AnneEWilliamson]

@@IASishuu Unfortunately, I'm not from India, but I believe Ebay ships worldwide. I'm not sure where to buy vintage books in India.

[@circleofleaves2676]

My oldest book is from 1855.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Very cool!

[@abereu8405]

I have one from 1865 lol

[@abereu8405]

And I used it to block an airway like an idiot

[@mr.gaming678]

Wear are you from I m from India Good video for book

[@AnneEWilliamson]

I am from the US. Thank you!