We Buy Rare Books, First Editions & Historic Collections
If you own rare books, first editions, or a collection built over many years, Town's End Books and Bindery would like to hear from you. Since 1992, we've purchased individual books and entire collections from owners across the country, and as members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) since 2002, we bring professional standards to every purchase.
We're always interested in first editions in nice condition, with particular focus on Americana and American history, local and regional histories including Connecticut town histories, classics of literature, natural history, signed books, and leather-bound volumes such as Easton Press and Franklin Library editions. If you're not sure whether your books fit these categories, reach out anyway. We're always glad to take a look.
Contact us by phone or email with a general description of what you have. From there, share details and photos, including the title page, copyright page, and the condition of the book and its dust jacket, if it was issued with one. We'll evaluate the information you provide, drawing on the same grading standards we use for our own inventory, and then discuss purchasing individual titles or reviewing a full collection, depending on what you have.
We've been buying and selling rare books since 1992, and our ABAA and ILAB membership since 2002 reflects our commitment to accurate descriptions and fair dealing. As a one-person operation, when you contact us, you're speaking directly with the person evaluating your books, not a call center or a rotating cast of staff. We also maintain a strict pledge of confidentiality: we never sell or share customer information, and every transaction is handled discreetly.
Are my old books valuable? Not necessarily. Age alone doesn't determine a book's value. Edition, whether it's a true first edition, condition, the presence of the original dust jacket, and collector demand all play a much bigger role. Our Grading Standards page explains how we evaluate condition, and we're happy to look at photos and details to give you a sense of what you have.
Do you buy entire libraries? Yes, but not always. We purchase both individual books and entire collections, as long as they're first editions in nice condition with their original dust jackets, where issued.
How do I know if I have a first edition? Please don't worry about that! That's my job. However, just so you know, each publisher has their own method of indicating their first edition printings. Trouble is, those methods have changed through the years. I have the information and resources to rather quickly determine whether a book is a first edition.
Do you travel to evaluate collections? For most inquiries, photos and a detailed description are the fastest way to get started. For larger or more complex collections, contact us directly and we can talk through the best way to move forward.
Ready to talk about selling your books or collection? Contact Town's End Books today.
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