Collecting categories

When I began collecting in the 1960s, the most common collecting
category after modern firsts was Americana. That could be general,
defined by period or theme [18th century, Civil War, Western, Southern
Gold Rush, Cowboy]. There does not seem to be as much of that, at
least at New York book fairs. Two pioneers, batting the ball back and
forth between them trying for dominanace, Milton reisman and Justin
Schiller, established the new field of Children's book collecting. It
had existed before, but in a more limited way and for more limited
areas of time and space. The collectors of science bopoks had started
in their modern form in the 1940s and 50s. Jake Zeitlin was their most
important source on the West coast. Fine and Private Press books were
collected but by only a small group. Irving Lew tried to establish
himself as a prototype of Oak Knoll, but died in the middle of a step,
before it had been done. There were great Americana dealers all over
the country. Many also specialized in their own local Americana.
Something hard to miss for both Goodspeed and Morrill in Boston. New
categories were invented but I will leave it there for now. I am still
back before 1970. I figure that period is directly known by very few
of you because you are too young. If you want some more, and some hard
facts, do let me know.

Best.