Review by for Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World
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Used and Rare…I picked it up at the Pierpont Morgan Library gift shop in NYC. Figured that if they sold it, it might be good. It is.The book is a lovely read, especially easy to put down and pick up again, to carry along with you, and to learn from (without any effort). It’s like reading a magazine article. When I was a freshman in high school, I read a magazine article about why the Red Badge of Courage was not only valuable in the world of literature but also as a financial investment. That article started me off as a collector, and now, years later, I have a fine collection of rare books that I adore, that I’ll never sell, but that are wonderful investments. The writing in this book is very light, magazine-like, but pleasant. It’s a fine introduction for those who are interested in this topic; a primer. Far from a scholarly work, this book gives you a gentle lesson about the world of highly intellectual, high-end collecting. It will inspire you to read, to learn why some books are important in history – while others are not. It will also give you a few new terms and a few hints as to the etiquette you need to acquire as you browse the stacks within shops and booths at the antiquarian book fairs.I ordered several editions of this book which I gave as gifts to friends who would like to learn more about rare book collecting. They have all enjoyed it.

Review by anna-joelle for Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World
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I came across this little “gem” at my favourite bookstore (under the shelf labelled “Literary Criticism”), picked it up, started reading the first page… and was immediately hooked! This book is very like a treasure map… if you love shopping for books (especially classic literature), you’ll know what I mean. I sat down and read the first 30 pages straight, then came back to the store the following 3 days (during office lunch break) to continue reading (didn’t buy the book then because I’ve already exceeded my book-expense budget for the month). I’ve since bought the book and have loaned it to some friends.This “travel book” is about the “adventures” of a husband-and-wife team (the Goldstones) who are SUCH book lovers that they scour bookstores far and near (especially used and rare book stores) to find the books they want… mostly hardcover editions of famous literature, which then “decorate” the bookshelves in their home. In the process, they meet really interesting people (especially eccentric bookstore owners with a wealth of knowledge to share) and gain insight into the fascinating history and story behind a particular book/author/publication/edition… things that may sound boring on the surface, but this book will prove to you otherwise because each chapter/”story” is so brilliantly written, filled with humour, wit, truth and great anecdotes that keep your interest throughout. Many of the “stories” will make you chuckle out loud. It’s a happy book.It’s interesting to read how the hunt for a hardcover edition of “War & Peace” as a birthday present has evolved into a long-term passion in book collecting for the Goldstones. Read about your favourite classics here, from Tolstoy, Dickens, Homer and Doystoyevsky to Austen, Melville, Hemingway, Steinbeck and many more. But beware – this book may spark an interest in serious book collecting (which is not a cheap hobby!).I also recommend another wonderful literary companion, “For the Love of Books” (edited by Ronald B. Shwartz) which compiles the personal response of over 100 famous writers today on the question: “What books have left the greatest impression on you and why?”.

Review by R. Shaff for Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World
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What an uncommonly wonderful book! For bibliophiles or those that enjoy reading about a passionate quest, USED AND RARE is a delight.This is a factual “novel” written by Larry and Nancy Goldstone relating their journey into the world of used and rare books. This is a story that began as a quest for a budget-based, inexpensive gift which ultimately turned to an exciting addiction. The inexpensive beginning was the search and purchase of a [amt] copy of Tolstoy’s WAR AND PEACE, a complete translation which included maps and fold-out color illustrations. When it arrived in the mailed, the book included a business card from the bookseller which subsequently prompted the Goldstones to make their way to the bookstore on a lazy Sunday afternoon. There, they met David and Esther Kininmonth, the owners of the store. David enthralled the Goldstones with a oratory into the basics of the world of rare books, their value, illusion and mystery. It was with this visit and conversation that the Goldstone’s were vaulted into a path that soon became a passionate obsession. Now intrigued and beset with an insatiable desire for new “quarry,” the Goldstones began making as many trips as possible to various East Coast cities visting antiquarian book dealers and attending book fairs and auctions. Armed with a growing knowledge of this rather obscure industry, they diligently sought out first editions, single leather-bound volumes and sets, and rare out-of-print books. Along the way, they became as fascinated with the learning process associated with procuring rare books as much as by the books themselves. After spending quite a bit of time buying, reading and picking the brains of the experts, the Goldstones began to see through many of the games played by the dealers including pricing inconsistencies, show tactics and auction fax paus’. Although extremely frugal and budget-conscious, USED AND RARE tells the story of how the Goldstones began with that [amt] copy of WAR AND PEACE to owning a [amt] edition of Charles Dickens’s MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT. In one passage, the Goldstones relate their visit to a book fair where they encounter a first edition of TARZAN, by Edgar Rice Burroughs for an astounding [amt]! They wonder how TARZAN can demand that kind of sum when, by their own standards, it is not necessarily considered great literature? As with most businesses, the Goldstones learn that the business of rare books is a BUSINESS. As such, demand drives prices and, as with antiques and collectibles, value is relative to the individual collector. The fervor behind this story and the common penchant for booklore displayed by the Goldstones’ is contagious. This story provides an education to the reader and a behind-the-scenes view of many unheard-of books (at least to this reader) considered classic and collectible. Their story offers biblophiles/biblomaniacs an insight into the world of rare books and a lesson in the business of books. It is easy to see that they earned their way into the world of rare books while being gracious enough to share it with the reader. USED AND RARE is a strange combination of education, love, travel and the chase for the perfect buy….at the right price of course!I am immediately following this read with the sequel, SLIGHTLY CHIPPED, and have already ordered the third book in the series, WARMLY INSCRIBED. Anyone hooked on books should read USED AND RARE.

Review by for Antique Trader Book Collector’s Price Guide (Antique Trader Book Collectors Price Guide)
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A close friend recommended Mr. Russell’s book when Grandma died and I had to take care of her estate which included thousands of books.I was clueless about books.Several “reputable” book stores in our area wanted to buy everything for pennies. I knew Grandma had spent thousands of dollars on her books that she loved dearly.So, I read Mr. Russell’s book,studied the pictures, and started to learn the simple basics of collecting in language that I could understand. I realized that there were authors that Grandma read who had had their books banned.There were books that she owned by Ernest Trueblood and Edith Van Dyne which were pseudonyms for William Faulkner and L. Frank Baum.(Actually,it would have been helpful if there had been more information about the Oz books.) So,instead of getting ripped off and losing everything that Grandma had cherished for many years,I kept all of her books.Now, I can go into those same bookstores and buy books for pennies that are worth hundreds of dollars.Thank you for sharing your knowledge,Mr. Russell

Review by Michael S. Dobson for Antique Trader Book Collector’s Price Guide (Antique Trader Book Collectors Price Guide)
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Lighten up a little, guys. The book is THREE years old, fer chrissakes! NO book, even Ahreans, is going to cover everything AND continually be up-to-date on the fluctuations of the market (and market values), but each reference book you purchase adds a little something to your knowledge based, and this one does as well. The chapter on pseud.s adds yet another dimension to the book seller’s (and/or collector’s) knowledge.

Review by LM Satine for Antique Trader Book Collector’s Price Guide (Antique Trader Book Collectors Price Guide)
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I thoroughly enjoyed the price guide. Not only a listing of prices, the book’s introductions to each category are insightful, well-written and provide other bookseller’s thoughts on collecting. The book is very well researched and the category on banned books is thorough, and the pen names of various authors was interesting, who knew some of these existed?? Certainly, Russell did, and I look forward to other editions as well researched and written as this one. My only suggestion for the guide is I wished a children’s literature section was available within it(perhaps, for future guides? Other than that, I recommend this book for collectors, wannabe collectors, writers and readers.