Collecting is a very personal pursuit, and each individual collector has their own thoughts about the items they wish to collect.  Some collectors are interested only in early publications, and how the game started and its early evolution.  Some are intrigued by course design or the personal and professional lives of golf legends.  Statisticians and golf writers look for reference material and volumes of tournament results.  And there are those who are inspired by financial rewards, they see a golf library as an investment.  Although individual collectors will always decide what is important to them, there are a number of characteristics that most collectors and dealers agree make a golf book (or any book) collectible and more valuable.

Historical significance

Many golf books are collectible due to their content or are otherwise historical.  Some examples:

• The Goff: a heroi-comical poem in three cantos by Thomas Mathison is one of the most desirable golf books for the serious golf book collector (and also one of the most expensive!)  Published in Scotland in 1743, it is the earliest identified book devoted entirely to golf.
• The 1890 edition of Golf:  The Badminton Library by Horace Hutchinson, published in Boston, has the distinction of being the 1^st golf book published in America. 
• Golf in America, by James P. Lee, is significant as it was the first golf book produced in the U.S. that was written by an American (1895).

Condition

Generally, the better the condition, the more desirable the book to a collector.  The most important factor to consider is how close your copy is to the book as it was originally published, including binding, dust jacket, and all inserts and additions.  Some of these factors are more important than others, it is generally more significant to the value of the book that all the pages are intact even if the spine is a bit faded.  In most cases, a rebound book will be less desirable than one in its original binding, even if only in fair condition.  Books missing dust jackets, with damaged or missing covers, containing stains, with tears or writing on the pages are much less preferred.  Books containing mold or damp staining should be avoided at all costs, with the exception of a few very rare pieces (where professional restoration services would be required).

Older books are more difficult to find in the condition originally published.  Many books printed during WWII used inferior paper, especially for endpapers which tend to brown.  Many books have not fared well being stored in attics or basements for years, and others have just not been taken care of.  As a result, some of the early publications on golf are collectible even in only average condition.

Dust Jacket

If a book was issued with a dust jacket, it will not be as collectible without it, even if the dust jacket is torn and has parts missing.  Many people throw away a dust jacket once it begins to look worn, therefore there are fewer available as time goes on, and the premium added for a good condition dust jacket increases.  Also, if the area of the dust jacket that displays the price has been cut off (or “price clipped”), it is not as desirable.  

Artwork

Many older books have color paintings by famous artists, either as plates within the book, or on the dust jackets.  Books with artwork by known artists can be collectible mainly due to the quality of the art.

First editions

Edition refers to the content of a book.  A first edition would include all of the copies printed from the first setting of type; can include multiple printings if all are from the same setting of type. Every printed book has a first edition, many never have later editions. A later edition would have substantial changes in the printing plates or type such as the addition of a new preface or new chapter or major changes throughout the text. When book collectors use the term first edition, they are usually referring to the first printing and if there are different states or issues, the earliest of those.

As a general rule, the earliest edition of a book is the most collectible, although sometimes later editions can be more historically significant and may therefore become more collectible than the earlier editions.  A good example of this is Delineations of St. Andrews by James Grierson, originally published in 1807.  The 1838 (3^rd) edition is more collectible than the 1^st edition as it includes the reference to a letter from King William IV, presenting a gold medal to be played for by the members of the Honourable Company.  This edition with the letter identifies for the first time, the term “Royal and Ancient”. 

State of a Book/Dust Jacket

State refers to small changes in a book (corrections, additions, etc. to the text or in the color of the binding) within the first print run.  The number of volumes of the original state of a book is very small, and becomes more collectible due to its rarity.  A dust jacket may also have different states where the art of the dust jacket is changed, or blurbs from reviewers or authors are added.

Limited editions

Limited editions are considered another state of a book, specifically designed to be limited in number and, therefore, rare.  These editions are produced as a collector’s item, and may use different paper, bindings, or plates, and are often signed by the author or artist.  Limited editions are usually sold for a higher price than the common trade edition.

Facsimile Editions/Reprint Editions

As many rare books have been out of reach for the average collector, there have been a number of reprints of these classic titles.  Some are “facsimile editions” in which the book is reproduced as close to the original edition as possible.

Signed by author

Usually, books inscribed or signed by the author are more collectible, although for modern authors who sign a great deal of books, the premium may not be very significant.   

Previous owner

The association of a book with a previous owner can add to its value.  Indication of previous ownership may be determined by a bookplate, signature or inscription.  In most cases, the value will be enhanced only if the previous owner is well-known or if the book was in some way important to the person.  As an example, Joe Murdoch, co-founder of the Golf Collector’s Society, had an impressive golf library (as documented in a few of his own publications).  Books formerly in Joe’s library (identified by his bookplate) are more collectible and will sell for a higher price than similar condition books with no association to Joe Murdoch. 

Supply and demand

Any time there is a limited supply of a certain title and high demand for it, the price will be driven up.  Many limited supply books are older, but with the advent of boutique publishers, many newer books are also in limited supply.  Even some relatively new books now out of print are in high demand and command a huge premium over their original published price.  Well-known golf architect Tom Doak wrote a book titled The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses, which was unique in its honesty and bluntness about the flaws in many well-known, prestigious courses.  Although about 20,000 copies were printed by Sleeping Bear Press in 1996 and sold for $45 each, this book now regularly fetches over $800 on ebay auctions.

How to keep your books in collectible condition

We are all caretakers of the books we have in our collections.  Many of these books will eventually move on to new homes and new owners, as our collecting preferences change over time or as better condition books come along.  So, please, take care of your books!   Some guidelines:

• Store them upright on shelves, out of direct sunlight
• Do not overstuff the shelves, leave room for your books to breathe. 
• When taking a book off a shelf, don’t pull it from the top of the spine (this could damage the spine), instead, push adjacent books away from the book you are removing, then pull the book out from the middle.
• Keep your books in a cool dry place, away from excess humidity. 
• If you don’t have enough shelf space for all the books you have accumulated, stack them in small piles or store in boxes, and avoid non-breathable plastic tubs. 
• Never wrap books in newspapers.  Newspaper is highly acidic and will stain them. 
• For tears to dust jackets or pages, don’t attempt to repair with tape.  This will leave a sticky residue!  Leave repairs to someone who has been schooled in archival repairing techniques. 
• Protect dust jackets from further damage with clear, acid-free mylar covers (like what libraries use).