Should I open and read them or not?

I just purchased the complete original set of the 100 Greatest Books by Franklin Library. I have been wanting these books for years and years and about a month ago an ad was placed locally on craigslist for this set. I went to this guys apartment and he shared with me that his dad collected them and put them on a book shelf and never touched them. They were meant to be an investment for him (the son). Well dad passed and this guy inherited the books and didn't want the responsibility off keeping them (go figure). Anyway my dilemma is this, I now have this set with original member paperwork and brochure (dad kept everything) and I am not sure I want to even open them since they are in fine condition and it is the full set. Kinda feels like a waste letting them sit on a shelf though. What is everyones thoughts on how much these books will really appreciate in the future? I purchase them for $18 a book, which is much less than when they were new, even without inflation. I am so torn knowing I can just read them on my ipad and keep them in fine condition (even though it won't be the same experience). What would you do?

To each their own but I know what I'd do - read them and display them in my library. I don't buy books for investment value and books usually depreciate rather than gain in value - witness the fact that you picked up all those books for much less than the original owner paid for them.

Congratulations, you got a real bargain especially at that price point for fine condition. I think they were meant to be read and enjoyed, but gently.

I hope Dad's other investments paid off better than his book investment. Not sure just when these were published, but in inflation-adjusted dollars, you probably paid about 20% of what Dad bought them for. They may not depreciate any further, but there are lots of them out there, most unread (though probably unwrapped). If you've been waiting for them for years, you're probably going to get a lot more value from holding them in your hands and reading them than you will in selling them 20 years from now.

There may be a few individual titles that would sell for more than you paid, but $20/volume is fairly common for the majority of Franklin's '100 Greatest' and 'Great Books' collections. I have the complete 'Great Books', but, had I know the internet was going to come along, perhaps I would have bought them on the resale market as I was ready to read them, and saved myself about 1/2 what I paid directly to Franklin.

Os.

Are there any titles I should consider not opening due to a higher than average value? I have seen The Great Gatsby is bringing $100+.....probably a short term value because of the movie though.

>7 aforland:
Signed by a dead author might get you a bonus, though. I received an Easton Press edition of The Foundation Trilogy signed by Isaac Asimov about the time of his death for about $50. Now, the book and the author are exceptional anyway, but has been known to sell for as much as $300 recently, with some used book dealers asking $400. The signed Easton Press edition of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five has at least doubled actual price received on ebay since he passed away.

Obviously, it depends on the work and the author, but some bump for a singed edition of a relatively well known work/author should be expected after they are no longer around to sign more books.

>10 EclecticIndulgence:
"Signed by a dead author might get you a bonus, though."
My example was Easton, and I don't know the titles in this Franklin collection, but my statement applies to Franklin as well as Easton.

Os.

Well, aforland, what did you decide to do? Have you started to read your collection? Also, it sounds like you have a full set sealed in plastic, is that the case? What a great find if so, especially at the price you paid.

I recently started collecting Limited Editions Club books and have been contemplating the same issue. All of the titles I have are in fine condition, and I don't want them to show any wear from my casual use. I have been extremely careful in handling them though, not even allowing the bottoms of their slipcases to slide on the shelf when I put them back. I wash my hands, apply Purell hand sanitizer, and let them thoroughly dry before every use. Every precaution is taken to ensure that I am having as little impact as possible while I read. These extra steps may seem like a hassle, but if you are concerned about resell value, it may be worth it. Franklin set books aren't limited editions, so if something goes terribly wrong, you can most likely find a replacement in similar condition.

I am also often tempted just to read my classics on a Kindle or tablet. I have the 100 greatest classics Barnes & Noble ebook collection, so chances are, if I get an LEC or Franklin edition, I have it in ebook form also. eReading is fun and convenient, but I don't get the book experience.

As someone who is new to this group, and a new aficionado of the Franklin Press, this subject fascinates me. I really cannot see myself purchasing a book and not reading it, or at least intending to read it.

One of my latest acquisitions of my admittedly modest FP collection is All the Kings Men. It is one of the rare books that I enjoy everything about; the leather cover, the design of a chess king with a boarder of pawns, the perfect illustrations, in addition to being one of the best books that I have read in a while. Obviously, I wouldn’t derive a fraction of that enjoyment if it remained wrapped and unread.

I too, am curious about your decision, aforland…

>13 GoFurther: Yes, I agree GoFurther, books are made for reading. However, some collectors (like myself) tend to get a little paranoid about condition. Resale value is important, especially if you get into a situation where you realize you've just spent 60% of your income on books and you need to sell a few to pay the bills (oops).

The good news is that there are many guides produced for library special collections workers and museum curators that can offer tips for damage prevention. I recommend The Care of Fine Books by Jane Greenfield. She offers very detailed advice and illustrated instructions on how to maintain the health of your library. Books are, in reality, quite fragile things and are very susceptible to the passage of time if not treated properly.

But, if you aren't worried about every book in your collection looking brand new for the rest of your life, that's okay too. Some people have different preferences when it comes to this. One person on another LT forum told me that "books like homes are meant to look lived in." Basic precautions (like washing your hands before reading, carefully handling the pages, not overextending the binding, keeping your books out of direct sunlight) can be taken and your books will still look good as new years down the road. It just seems like a waste to collect books as art objects that are displayed, dusted, and never read.

>12 andrewsd: Andrew

I don't hope you mind me saying this, but it seems you are going through awfully a lot of trouble reading those LEC books.

I collect LEC books as well and have numerous in as new condition, i.e., never opened and I handle them with care too, but not to that degree as you do. They are indeed wonderful books, printed letterpress (so were the FS books until late 1950s I think), exclusive illustrations, limited to 1500 copies and signed. These books were offered back in the day around $300 price and they can today easily be bought on ebay for $40 to $60 each. I mean they are wonderful books but not something I would suggest or wait upon in resale value. If you had Picasso than that's another story due to the signature.

I mean please don't get offended, but it's just that books are books and are meant to be read and handled. And it seems what your doing is really a hassle, unless of course, your in a position with unlimited capital and are collecting signed first edition of Churchill, Shelly or Hemingway and so forth worth as much as a house today, then I would wear gloves and keep the books in antistatic, anti-dust, UVA and UVB proof vault 3 storeys under ground in my batman lair.

It's just that I've never believed in books as investments. Sure they are wonderful and are taken care of, but your time is limited upon earth and you sleep 1/3 of it, that leaves the rest to work, raising a family, fixing the plumbing in the toilet and what's left of it is spent reading. What I am trying to say is just enjoy your books as they are and don't fret too much about washing your hands before touching them. Life's just too short to be focusing on what essentially is a $40 book.

Btw, I am not sure what purell is but it seems like some kind of alcohol hand spirit, if that's the case than I recommend that you stop immediately using this as it has glycerine that will destroy the exterior binding of the books when you handle your books. You should never use any chemical when handling your books, simple warm water and ph neutral soap should do letting the hands dry fully.

>15 ironjaw: Haha, I admit that my precautions are a little extreme, but book care and preservation are simply hobbies of mine. And you are right, LECs aren't 18th century fine editions. I just enjoying keeping them in the best condition possible. Books aren't in my investment portfolio per say, but anything I spend a great deal of money on is important to maintain, in my opinion.

I do not directly handle books after applying any form of hand sanitizer or soap, so no worries there. I wash my hands with a mixture of soap and purell, thoroughly rise and allow to dry for about fifteen minutes before I do any handling.