Inscribed Books

Inscribed books give an otherwise impersonal item a personal touch. Depending on the inscription, however, the value of a book can either significantly increase, or possibly be rendered worthless. The difference depends on who has done the inscription.

If a book is inscribed by the author, the book's value immediately increases, particularly if it is a first edition. Even if it is a note to a friend, say from William Faulkner to an unknown recipient, and therefore more than a simple signed copy, the value goes up. Should the book be from the author to another famous person, say from Faulkner to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the worth can be astronomical.

Likewise, if the inscription is from a famous person other than the author, it is still more valuable. The same principle of the recipient applies. The inscription turns the book from being a mere volume to a collectible item.

The one area in which inscribed books can lose value is when the inscription is from and to and unknown person. First editions are particularly hurt by these inscriptions, as only clean copies or signed copies will fetch top prices from collectors. A final form of inscription that can increase a book's value is when it is stamped or labeled as being part of a collection, either from a personal library or from a famous public collection. A card is typically glued to the inside cover that reads "Ex Libris," which means "From the library of" in Latin, followed by a name.