Bibliophile

Today I was thinking of collections after someone asked me how much I paid for a certain series of books that is worth a substantial amount of money now that it’s no longer in print. I collect rare, limited edition and unique books about the occult. Some of the oldest stuff in my collection dates back to the late 1800’s.  But a lot of it is newer stuff that was limited edition including Azoetia (Chumbley) and Viridium Umbrus (Schulke). I have a hand numbered, late 1800’s printing of Remy’s Demonolatry in hardcover. I have an early 1900’s printing of The Kybalion.  The most current thing added to my library is the standard limited edition of The Occult Reliquary. I also have the entire Source Works of Magic series. I have two separate editions of Russell Hope Robbins’  The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology. The list goes on.

I am very picky about what I buy, too.  Sometimes when you’re dealing with books like this you’re paying hundreds of dollars for a single edition. Some of my more modern copies are signed by the authors. It’s amazing how much some of these books are actually worth. I have stuff in my collection that I’ve seen priced at $1K or more. Now granted I don’t collect the books because I know they’re going to be worth a great deal later on. I actually buy them to read, study, and work from.  Of course there are a few books I have several different editions of. Like I have several editions of the Grimorium Verum.  I have more than one collection of Agrippa’s books of occult philosophy. I have a 1980’s printing of Francis Barrett’s The Magus. I have several editions of The Grand Grimoire. I have various editions of The Key of Solomon (both lesser and greater). A lot of it I bought when it was dirt cheap, but then went out of print and subsequently skyrocketed in price. The ones I am most protective of, of course, are the limited edition hardcovers. I don’t loan books from my library because I’ve learned that when I loan them, I often don’t get them back and end up having to replace them. So the rare, expensive, and out-of-print stuff does not leave the premises. I’m sure a lot will be added to the collection as time goes on.  I know which of my nieces and nephews is probably going to inherit the collection when I’m dead and gone, too. 😉

Finally – in other news – the HOA approved our home improvement request! So VERY excited! 🙂   Also got my fruit trees which I’m planting tonight! It should be fun.  Lastly, I remembered something else about 1992 – I had my wisdom teeth removed (they were impacted and it was a horrible experience). As it turns out I have another dental issue that has to be taken care of this summer. Wow, I guess it could be a health related trend after all. Go Val! Astrologers are cool.

Now I’m off. End of month billing! It’s my favorite.