Completing your collection

One of my goals in book collecting is to replace my paperback copies with hardcover books. I have a few paperbacks that have unique or interesting covers that I plan on keeping, but for the most part, I don't like them because they fall apart too easily. One read and the spine is bent and the cover is worn.

I've been working on getting a complete set of Anne of Green Gables books (in hardcover) for a while. This was my most recent addition to replace the paperback I had.

I just need two more now. Rainbow Valley (#7 in the series) and Rilla of Ingleside (#8), (above in paperback).  All of my other copies were published by Thrushwood Books, but in all our searching we haven't found Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside in Thrushwood editions, so I am on the hunt for something similar. My criteria for the books is that they must be hardcover, with a dust jacket, and published around the 1950's.

If you are wanting to get into the book collecting business, there are a few ways to go about looking for a particular book. Of course, ask about it at every used bookstore you visit (and ask again each time you go). But, as that doesn't always prove successful, use the internet! (I know you already knew that). Ebay can be good, but is often hit or miss (as is Amazon and other like sites) because the info given is not always sufficient. A pretty good site is Abe Books which allows you to create "want" lists with your criteria and then will email you every time it has found a book that matches your list.

Truly, it just takes time and usually continually checking and searching each site to see if anything has come up. But when you find that perfect book to complete your collection, it's worth it!