Book Collector Status: Beast Mode | Our ‘Invaluable’ Literary Collection

What does your ideal literary collection consist of?

It’s a question we’ve never really asked ourselves here at Deadly Darlings. We obviously buy plenty of books (more than we read, actually), but never has one been a collectible item. However, out of all the books we’ve had the pleasure to read, which have had enough of an impact for us to want to collect them?

Thanks to Ryan from Invaluable, a website with must-have collectibles and antique books up for auction, C.J. and Sara were presented with this question and after browsing the endless possibilities of beautiful, to-die-for antique books, they finally came up with a response. Without further ado, here is our dream literary collection.

[ Sara ]

Lot 182: Uncle Tom’s Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe True First Edition 1852

It would be an understatement to say that I would cry of joy to own a first edition of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Written in the 1800s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin had an impact in both the practice of slavery and women’s suffrage. It was rare for a woman to write an influencing book since women were considered second-class citizens and were discouraged from education, therefore it aided the progress of women’s suffrage. Equally as important, it also had a major role in the abolition of slavery and ultimately the civil war. So much, in fact, that upon meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln said, “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.”

So yeah, it’s a pretty huge deal for me.

Lot 123: Poe, E. A. THE WORKS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE, 10 VOLS

For those who are unaware of who Edgar Allan Poe is: he was a weird, creepy guy… but gosh, could he write some eerily exhilarating stories. I remember reading one of his poems in sixth grade and being engrossed yet appalled. Poe fascinates me in every way possible. Imagine how happy I’d be with a 10 volumes of his works? I’ll give you a hint: super, super, super happy.

Lot 1308: Easton Press Leather Bound Book Lot Victor Hugo

The Hunch Back of Notre Dame and Les Miserables were absolutely brilliant. I remember reading Les Miserables in middle school and understanding absolutely nothing but loving it nonetheless. Fast forward a few years and little Sara read it again. Wow, do I still love it! No wonder they are in Easton Press’s The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written Collectors Edition. Look at them both, they are beautiful.

[ CJ ]

Lot 109: Through the Looking Glass, 1st edition

Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books of all time, and has inspired so much of my art and aesthetic. To own a first printing of its equally inspired sequel, inscribed by the master himself, would be magical.

Lot 4276: Carroll Lewis, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

And of course, the original. It’s not first edition, but this old copy is beautifully illustrated and old and whimsical and I want it.

Lot 636: WILDE, OSCAR An Ideal Husband

Oscar Wilde is my literary hero and spirit twin. I can’t get enough of his wit and decadence, and my dream is to someday own all copies of his books, originals–and perhaps even a signature!

Lot 22: Alighieri Dante, The Divine Comedy, 1578

The nerd in my is dying for this beautiful, antique version of La Commedia in the original Italian. Look at the pretty yellowed pages!

And… that is our list, folks! We both highly encourage you to browse through Invaluable and come up with your dream literary collection. Just looking at all the vintage, antique books is a satisfying experience. So imagine buying one. Definitely worth it!

YOUR TURN!

What’s your current or dream literary collection? Share below!

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The Deadly Darlings

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