Once book collecting was in the hands of a tiny circle of devotees, but it s less exclusive these days. In the past, older men with considerable savings made up the clientele. That s because it takes wealth to buy rare books in mass. It still takes money, but the collectors have changed. They re more likely to be younger, between the ages of 30 and 40, embarking on a grand ambition.
Women are more prevalent than ever.
And collectors now buy slowly and carefully over a long time, rather than trying to amass a grand library quickly. More women are dealing with the kinds of books I deal in. In the past, women didn t have the kind of money it takes to collect books. And it does take an education. But there are all kinds of collectors now.