I think you may have more of collector sensibility than you think. Your preference to own your books rather an borrow them from the library, your willingness to make a special trip (however occasional or convenient) to have a book signed and your “weakness” for the limited Subterranean Press editions of de Lint’s works are all telling indications. Being a collector does not mean that you refuse to buy ex-library or book club editions or that every book in your personal library need be a rare first edition. It simply means that some books are important enough to you that you prefer to own a copy that’s special to you.

It is true that many collectors value a first edition for its primacy and resale value. If one has a concern for the monetary value of a book then its condition, scarcity and printing state become an issue. There are also other reasons for wanting to acquire first editions that I’ve discussed here. However, it is certainly true that not everyone is concerned with the resale value of a book. Ultimately, the significance of a book is a very personal thing.

Once upon a time, there was an SF store in Santa Monica called A Change of Hobbit. There was also an SF store in Pasadena, but I can’t remember the name. Sometimes book signings didn’t attract a lot of attention, and, if I didn’t have to stand in line, I was willing to schedule and spend to buy a first edition and have it autographed. I think I even have two autographed firsts of Niven’s Integral Trees. (Must comment here that Niven was one cantankerous son of a bitch)

Now one can sit comfortably at home and visit autographed first edition categories on one’s computer. In general, I find the prices prohibitive, but I have developed a weakness for the fancy editions of Charles de Lint books published by Subterranean.

I have a 10′x20′ storage space lined with full bookshelves, and science fiction is the first category on both sides inside the door. Hardbacks and paperbacks are shelved seperately for convenience. First edition hardbacks sit along side (oh horrors!) ratty book club editions.

OK, that was a little sarcastic, and I apologize. We have some common interests and should be friends. I was shocked by booksale statistics I saw recently, either on grumpy old bookman or one of his links. Romance…romance, good god, represents almost 40% of booksales. Mystery titles make up almost 30%, and I must confess my mystery category is second only to my science fiction in size. Science Fiction was dead last with 6%. There was a lengthy article attached about why SF readership is falling. What was once science fiction is now reality. That seemed to be the most important reason cited with a ‘we’ve seen it all’ attitude. I think that is a reason to continue reading science fiction, because that is what the modern day prophets are writing.