Used Books

Books are without a doubt one of the top resources for any artist or art student. There are a few problems with books though. They can be expensive, out of print or, hard to find due to limited run printing or age. There is also a consideration for other aspects such as the environmental impact of the new book market, financial support of authors versus publishers, and many others which we will not cover here. 

A copy of Rendering in Pen and Ink with discolored dust jacket
My used copy of Rendering in Pen and
Ink. Notice the discoloration on
the dust jacket.
In this post, we will be looking at the problem of finding affordable books. You may have guessed by now where this is going. I know there is nothing quite like a brand new book. This is desirable sometimes. No doubt about it, I too treasure some of my pristine tomes displayed prominently on my studio shelf. The reality is, if you're on a budget, new books are a luxury item.

Here's a recent personal example: 

A large hardcover book on Alphonse Maria Mucha by his son, Jiří Mucha. I've seen this book listed as new or like new for over $150.00. It's not an overly hard book to find but, it's a bit expensive. At the time of writing this, it appears on Amazon as a single copy for $100.00 as new or $74.75 as the lowest-priced used copy. Now to the point. If you are looking to study and gain insight and knowledge why not get a used book?
Amazon also has this same book listed as $74.75 in used condition plus $3.99 for shipping. That's a total of $78.74 rather than the price for a new copy at $103.99. You save $25.25 by buying a used book in this scenario. 

That same copy of Rendering in Pen and
Ink has pristine interior pages.
What if you could save a bit more? I was able to find a used copy in good enough condition for the purpose of study for $59.99 (free shipping) on AbeBooks.com. That's $44.00 less than the one new copy listed on Amazon. That's a big deal if you're on a budget. I was able to find a copy last month for $54.99 including shipping.

Your local used bookstore is another great option. Owners are usually very helpful and appreciative of their customers. Once you establish a relationship with them, they may even be willing to keep an eye out for specific books of interest to you.

Another great option is to check out your local library. The copy I bought was actually from a library in Missouri that had a collection of books it was cycling out listed on AbeBooks. Great! I'm supporting a library and saving money. That's a win-win in my opinion. Many libraries have a large print or oversized collection that includes art and tabletop books. I've checked books out of my local library for study and even renewed my loan duration on them a few times. It's free and only costs the time it takes to get a library card and travel to get and return the books. While I have not seen many art books as e-books sure to check out digital lending options. I was able to find Arthur L. Guptill's, Rendering in Pen and Ink as a digital loan through NYPL. Free for me to borrow as a resident of NY State. 

Amazon.com used book price compared to the price at AbeBooks.com

I'd also like to note that local libraries sometimes have thrift sales to clear out low-use books to make room for new. Every year the small library in my village has a book sale in September. Prices are often low, by donation, or even offer book exchanges. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking for books:
  • Read the description and know what to expect before buying. Things sometimes sound worse than they are.
  • Things like dust jacket (DJ) marks, scuffs, and stains are often limited to just the dust jacket. I've bought books where the dust jacket is horrible but, the hardcover underneath is pristine.
  • Don't be deterred by watermarks, dogear, wrinkles, or notes in the margins or page edges. As long as the images and text are clear the book is usable. I actually appreciate reading someone else's margin notes in a book. They can be helpful and offer different perspectives on the subject.
  • Any books with dust or grime on the covers can be wiped down with a damp cleaning wipe and left to dry. A lot of library books have a clear plastic sleeve over the dust jacket that can easily be cleaned.
  • If there is dust or dirt in the pages, hold the book face down by the spine over a garbage can or outdoors and leaf through the pages a few times to allow dust to fall out. You can also take a dry cloth or old paintbrush and dust out any stubborn debris.
  • Pay attention to shipping costs. Shipping can sometimes be pricy and negate the benefit of buying used online.
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