Warning: Old books disappearing!

Have you noticed how scarce old books are
becoming?

Of course, to consider the matter, you need
a definition of "old books" in the context
of my question. Let us, then, say books
printed in the 1920's and earlier, since
most such books have a sufficiently old
look.

Back in the early 1990's, many used book
dealers in L. A. would have carts of such
books offered for one dollar or less. I
am not talking about Hemingways, etc. -- the
things people actually come into a used
bookstore and ask for -- but instead I mean
books of the sort that are rarely sought
for their content, such as old popular
fiction, self-improvement books, text books,
etc.

Anyway, it seems to me that nowadays you
just don't see many old books offered at
very low prices, even those with the most
vapid and/or dated content. Instead,
dealers who will often charge upwards of
$10 for them, merely because of their
appearance.

Perhaps the reason you don't find
many old books at thrift shops, book
dealers' bargain carts, etc, is that
there is a growing number of people --
not serious book collectors -- who
simply believe that old-looking books
are attractive on a shelf, make good
conversation pieces, or in general
add a touch of class to a home.


Mr. Palmer
Book Room 314