Paperback book collecting does not have a set pattern. Yes, there are numbered books, first editions, mint conditions and series that dictate market rates, but one can be a paperback collector without having to adhere to a purity standard.
A collection may be as unique as its owner. A collector may be interested in a particular cover artist, whose work may span numerous publishing companies and genres. He or she may also follow a specific author and want both author editions and editions published under pseudonyms. Some collectors focus on minor label publishing companies, while others go for straight run collections of major publishing houses, past and present.
Most collectors that seek completion will sacrifice condition in order to boast having a complete run. This type of collector is always on the lookout to upgrade to better quality versions. These collectors’ downgraded copes are often the basis for many a starting collection for someone new to paperback collecting.
Some collectors of other mediums will enjoy having collectible paperbacks in their trove. A race car enthusiast may appreciate a copy of Carl Henry Rathjen’s Wild Wheels, with its introduction by Stirling Moss. A World War II buff may appreciate the number of books written by veterans in the aftermath of the war as a valuable source of first-hand accounts that may not have ever made it to the Internet.
Some books may be given as sentimental, fun gifts for those loved ones who don’t need another teapot or tie, but enjoy a good conversation piece. A hipster cousin may love a copy of Harlan Ellison’s Rockabilly. A friend that loves classic Hollywood may enjoy having a point of reference with Leonard Maltin’s guide to Hollywood’s great character actors.
No matter what type of paperback a person collects, there is one thing that remains certain: these books are the last of their kind. When a last copy of a book disintegrates from age or damage, there will never be another one printed. Paperbacks are art, history, and sociology all bound into one fragile package.
To own and preserve a paperback book is to preserve one little piece of human history.

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