Many years ago, I got into this business by first becoming a book collector, then a book scout, and finally a book dealer. Gradually, I developed interests in other areas: first western movie memorabilia (especially Hopalong Cassidy things), then into pottery, glass, and eventually everything else. But, of course, books remain a big interest.
At one time, in my personal collection, I had over 6,000 hardbacks and nearly 4,000 paperbacks. That included a near complete (at the time) collection of Larry McMurtry and most of those were signed. Through the years I have gotten out of collecting books but still enjoy them and still see some books like Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove" as old friends.
That is why I am enjoying the Beaumont Rare Book room that is located in the Antique Mall of Beaumont. It is the best place in Beaumont and all of southeast Texas for finding rare and collectible books.
Since I became a book dealer in the late 70's, book values have changed so much. Throughout the 80's and 90's book prices were just soaring. It was a great time to be a dealer. Some books I bought in the late 70's and early 80's had nearly doubled by the mid-90's. That seemed particularly true with Texana books. Any books about Texas or by Texas authors seemed to be great investments at the time.
It is interesting that their values were primarily only realized in Texas. I guess that makes some sense, but in today's world with international market access through the internet, it is hard to realize that it was very different not that many years ago.
As an example of that, I made a couple of trips to visit a friend in Tucson back in the early 80's. While in Tucson, as was my custom, I managed to visit a few used book stores. Each trip I brought back a couple of boxes of books; big boxes. I spent less than $100 on those books. They were mostly Texana 1st Editions. Upon my return to Texas, I sold most of them in short order and more than paid for my two trips. Those were not isolated incidents. I did the same thing with a trip to Atlanta a few years later and again with a trip to Tampa.
Texana books outside of Texas, at that time, were not highly valued.
Wow, has that changed. Texas authors such as Larry McMurtry are collected worldwide and the market is flooded with what was once almost impossible to find books. Most of this is thanks to eBay and other Internet venues.
Values changed, too. Books that were once scarce and nearly impossible for collectors to find brought high prices. Now many of those same books can be found with relative ease online and the resulting ease and availability have really impacted prices in a negative way. Some books which could easily be sold to collectors for $200 or more now may only bring $20. Making money as a rare book dealer or scout got a lot harder.
However, not all books were affected. There are still hard to find books that have not only kept their value, but have greatly increased it. Since I have been talking about Larry McMurtry's books, I will use two of his as examples.
In 1982, I bought a copy of Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove" for $150.00 (Fine in dust jacket). That same book will bring $700 or more now. His first book, "Horseman, Pass By" (made into the movie "Hud") was selling for around $500 in the mid-80's. Now a fine copy can bring $1,500 and maybe more. (I saw one recently listed for $2,500).
The books that are hard to find have retained and usually increased their value; books which were once hard to find but now are seen often, have decreased in value. That is simple supply and demand. The actual mechanics of supply and demand were greatly impacted by the Internet which forever changed book collecting, book dealing and book values.
That is part of the reason that I moved into other areas of antiques and collectibles, but not the only one. I found it more difficult to make my book business profitable without a great increase in effort, but I also am blessed with curiosity and in my adventures searching for rare books, I kept rubbing against other fascinating collectibles. It was sort of a natural progression.
Now having the Beaumont Rare Book Room has been fun and getting back "into" books has really been a pleasure. I have seen lots of old "friends" - books that I have bought and sold many times through the years. It is fun to hold them again.
I really enjoy almost all antiques and collectibles, but there will always be a special fondness for books.
Next time you are near the Antique Mall of Beaumont on College (Hwy 90), stop in and visit with my old friends.
Well, we have got it off the ground and it is going to be terrific.
Well, we are off to Roundtop/Warrenton on Monday. Mainly to pass out information about the 
Greg Ball and Karen are still stuffing their booths with fine antiques and a nice selection of antique & vintage fishing tackle as well as many other really interesting and fun items. You don't want to miss their fun shop. Greg and Karen have shops at both AMOB locations - West (College) and Old Town (Calder)
