Many people are surprised to know that collecting antique books can be an enjoyable and profitable past time. While you many think that the books are out dated or obsolete, many people are prepared to pay thousands of dollars for an antique book because of historical, sentimental and scarcity reasons.

Many people have old and antique books at their house and have no idea how much they are worth. Below you will find some helpful tips in trying to appraise how much an antique book is valued in the market place.

While there is no rules set down in concrete about how to value an antique book, there are some factors that will influence the price people will pay for it. The number one factor is rarity. As common sense dictates, the more rare a book is the more it will be worth - provided of course if there is a demand for it amongst collectors. If know one is interested in buying then there is no market for it.

First edition books are usually the most sought after versions. Typically, they are the rarest types and therefore the more valuable than editions published after it.

In addition, antique book with autographs of historical figures logically have higher prices. Editions of books with typographical errors in them also cause them to be more valuable. These are sought by collectors because these books are rare for they are immediately pulled out from stores.

The second factor that can cause a book to increase or decrease its value is its condition. The closer a book condition is to is original condition the more it will be worth. Any marks, stains, page tears or binding wear can decrease a books value markedly. However, any written remarks and notes by famous people or the author can actually cause the value of the antique book to increase.

Often you will find trying to value your book to be a bewildering experience as there are so many factors that can affect a books price beyond the ones already listed. That is why if you are thinking of buying or selling an antique book you should consult an expert and do plenty of research yourself.

As condition is a very significant factor in pricing antique books, learning how to properly store them is a must. Because books are made up of papers, they are fragile and needs extra care. Avoid storing them in an environment with extreme conditions. Do not leave them out on a direct sunlight, or in a very humid place, as extreme heat or humidity can cause the papers to undergo chemical reactions, and in turn become damaged.

Other places that aren't book friendly include areas where collateral damage could take place, such as your basement or under waters pipes. Acidic vapors released by unsealed woods can also damage paper. Flat smooth shelves are fine for leaving your books. If you have the money you could also store them in quality archival storage boxes that will protect your books properly.