Keeping the heart.
For the first time by going to the secondhand store or get the old book as a gift, a man suddenly discovers that opens before him hitherto closed to him, but a large, unusual and terribly attractive world. The first purchase bibliophile-neophyte usually predictable and chaotic - great books in beautiful bindings, Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, Art History, a book on the kings ... Passing this stage, most collectors choose its own special theme, which implies further.

Work.
Contrary to popular belief, not all the books, whose content has not lost its relevance, reprinted today. No information contained in old books, is unthinkable work of the representatives of many modern professions. Architects draw inspiration from old projects, designers work with images and descriptions of pre-revolutionary interiors, etc.

Investments.
Antiquarian books, as well as antiques in general - one of the few types of trade with non-renewable and finite supply of goods. Books were published in Russia is small (compared with European countries), but preserved and even less, so prices are increasing every year. According to the statistics of recent years, an average of three years, the cost of antiquarian books grows by 70 - 90%%, and in some cases up to 300%. The process of price increases is practically continuous, covering all the topics in book collecting, that distinguishes the book from the standpoint of investment appeal of, for example, paintings by contemporary artists, where much is determined by the momentary fashion. When thinking about investments in antique books worth bearing in mind several factors: a) what the book was originally rare and expensive, the more it will grow in value, and b) is to consider only the full and complete copies, as only they can wait for the maximum economic benefit, in ) Thematic library rises in price faster than individual books d) Liquidity books Imperfect, ie sale at the maximum price at that time or take a certain amount of time (usually two to three months) or can be made with the dealer discount (20-30%%).

Prestige.
Collecting antique books - time-honored pastime for by royalty and dignitaries. Widely known for excellent library Mary Anutanetty, Frederick the Great, Maria Theresa, Louis XV, the Austrian emperor KarlaVI, the Polish king, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Libraries collected many members of the Rothschild family. Excellent library belonged to Napoleon I. From the famous Russian people, bibliophiles can be called a graph Arakcheeva, Empress Catherine II, Count Sheremetev and many others. Bibliophiles were Pushkin, Odoyevski, Chaadayev. Since the XV century in Europe and the XVIII century, we collecting old books has become an attribute of enlightenment and high social status.

Interior.
Ancient books have a surprising property organically fit in with any interior, from classic to high-tech, giving it a richness and generosity. Bookcases with beautiful old or stylized antique bindings will look good almost anywhere in the apartment, but, of course, traditionally a place for them - the library room and office. When the magazine published photos, important official or a businessman in the interior of his job, it is a bookcase, a naturally occurring behind him, often produces a painful impression - worn volumes of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia "is usually still standing crookedly, spoil all impression of the effort expensive designer. Even the selection of pre-revolutionary Russian encyclopedias, quite affordable, at once gave to a finished interior and refined look.

Next in history.
Anyone, even a beginner, a collector in this country know the names of N. Smirnov-Sokolsky, Rozanov, M. S. Lesman. This - the owners of large and renowned collection of Russian books, their names are forever inscribed in the history of Russian Bibliophilia. Despite the fact that each of them has been very successful in their main occupation (Smirnov-Sokolsky - employee of the stage, Rozanov - literary historian, Lesman - musician), for many generations of descendants are primarily bibliophiles. The basic idea is clear - for the man uncreative profession itself, lovingly selected and cataloged library - one of the few ways to permanently leave a clear and distinct mark on history.

Is it better to present - a book?
This slogan of which seems in this age of a joke in Russia has a great historical background: from the late XVII century, the most common gift to both domestic and foreign scholars, writers, and nobles Russian Tsars, the emperor and empress were books. Almost half of the editions of XVIII century is the dedication emperor or empress, some high officials, and copies of these publications in specific bindings were given recipients. The book as a gift was worthy of even the kings, and almost always accepted with favor. As our time, then donated the book indicates that the recipient can read it, and, hence, there is no doubt about his intelligence. If this book is a rare book, it will always be shown to friends and guests as the most valuable thing in the house.