#Reaching #Bonfire #Finding #Banned #Books #WorthPoint
“I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.” – Henry David Thoreau
As Thoreau conveys in his quote above, he is not someone easily swayed into following a dictate or order. Many have felt similarly in the ongoing debate over freedom of expression. For every unique thought or intellectual examination, there is someone who will take offense or object to the idea. This struggle has not escaped the realm of literature, in which many seek to silence or limit access to texts deemed inappropriate or reprehensible. However, these books’ censure often boosts their popularity anyway, leading to the question: What is the value of banned books?
In the case of our literary history, there has never been a time when this issue of banning books was so pertinent. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has been documenting attempts to ban books in libraries and schools since 1990. The ALA recorded 1,269 library book and resource censorship demands in 2022. This marks the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling censorship data, though many more titles are subjected to challenge and go unreported. In recognition of Banned Books Week this October 1–7, 2023, let’s reach into the proverbial book bonfire to explore some of our storied history.
Books for the Burn Pile
There are too many to list, but among the top fifty banned titles, many were turned into screenplays entertaining large audiences on the big screen and in homes. Some examples are the books behind the critically acclaimed film adaptations of The Kite Runner and The Color Purple; hit films like Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Hate U Give, and The Hunger Games; television series such as The Handmaid’s Tale, 13 Reasons Why, and I Am Jazz; and classic Hollywood movies To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Even the Bible—one of the most challenged texts in history—was recently removed from the shelves of all libraries within a Utah school district after a parent claimed it had numerous passages containing “vulgarity and violence.”
A Rare Book Store Owner’s Perspective
Miranda Culp is the co-owner of Amatoria Fine Art Books in Sacramento, California. She shares that the current onslaught of book banning is frightening yet bolstering for booksellers:
In that classic way that if you restrict something, it suddenly becomes more enticing, the younger generation is clearly showing more interest in finding out why a book has been banned. For example, Jack Kerouac and Kurt Vonnegut often make their way to the banned list. There are a multitude of copies out there, but the minute one of their titles hits the banned list, it becomes harder to find. The consensus around the campfire with my fellow bookstore colleagues is: if you want to make a book popular and increase its value—ban it.
Banned Book Values at Auction
Market shifts can be fleeting, and several factors contribute to auction price fluctuations for banned books. Chris Nabil, the owner of Regency Antique Books, says, “The national conversations and debates surrounding the content of banned books can raise awareness and curiosity, further driving their temporary collectability. I’m of the opinion that once these sorts of conversations die down, in time, the inflated values of these sorts of books will go down as well.”
Another force causing rapid increases in values followed by sudden declines is accessibility to the contraband items. Says Nabil, “The restricted avenues for marketing these kinds of books have driven prices upwards, as certain titles become scarce and sought-after collector’s items (for the time being). A multitude of platforms, including eBay, have outright prohibited the sale of specific books or entire subjects.”
Future price forecasting becomes more challenging because as the social conversation changes, so does a collector’s focus. Nabil adds, “In terms of whether some banned books are more valuable than others, it’s important to note that value is subjective and can vary based on factors such as rarity, condition, edition, and specific reasons for banning. Some banned books may indeed command higher prices due to their historical significance, cultural impact, or scarcity in the market.”
Your Private Banned Book Collection
Authors covering controversial subjects such as race, sexual identity or content, slavery, violence, vulgarity, and death should now accept that their creations may only see the shelves of private homes. Once a book is deemed offensive and ruled inappropriate for the eyes of students nationwide, the material becomes less reprinted and more challenging to track down, though not illegal. People looking to read or own content regarded as “controversial” must resort to secondary market sources for banned books unless they are lucky and find one in the wild—lurking inside a locally owned rare bookstore. As with any category, scarcity makes collectability greater. The time for securing some of your favorite titles for your private collection is now.
How do you determine which banned books should be part of your collection?
- Your first consideration should be your interpretation of the meaning behind the book. Did it move you personally and broaden your horizons? Then, in the broadest spectrum of considerations, that book is priceless. Find a signed copy to commemorate the book’s importance to you and your development.
- Do some research into which books have been banned and why. Create a list of those that resonate with your personal interests, social or political interests you care about, or are classic, banned literature you feel the need to preserve.
- Try to acquire hardback, first-edition, or signed copies if possible. If you are paying a premium for a book, ensure it is a genuine, non-altered edition in good condition. Books have a condition grading system—learn it before making any purchases.
- Part of preserving the written word for future generations is care. Take steps to include quality additions to your collection and maintain their integrity. Use archival-quality storage materials and store books in a climate-controlled environment to prevent deterioration. Examine book bindings carefully to ensure they are intact and will not separate from the pages of your book.
- Utilize online resources, such as rare bookstores, online marketplaces, and forums, or attend auctions or estate sales to find and purchase banned books. Join book clubs or online communities that focus on banned books. Engaging with others interested in limiting literary censorship can provide valuable insights and recommendations.
Christine Douglas is an Accredited Estate Liquidator with the American Society of Estate Liquidators and a Graduate of the Asheford Institute of Antiques. In conjunction with owning J and C Estate Sales based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she is a 2022 Communicator Awards winner for her work as Associate Editor of 110° Magazine in Brentwood, CA.
WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.
