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From: mlj@mtfmc.UUCP (M.JULIAR)
Newsgroups: net.books
Subject: Re: dust jackets
Message-ID: <479@mtfmc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Nov-85 09:53:03 EST
Article-I.D.: mtfmc.479
Posted: Fri Nov 15 09:53:03 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Nov-85 09:08:23 EST
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Holmdel NJ
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Command: followup 
Newsgroups: net.books 
To: mtuxo!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!pesnta!phri!pluto!warren
Subject: Re: dust jackets 
Distribution:  
References: <180@pluto.UUCP>

I never throw out dust jackets.  They are extremely valuable if the
book is ever determined to have any sentimental, monetary, or
literary worth.  The dust jacket is an integral part of the book: The
art work, the blurbs (sometimes from other authors), the price, the
fact that it was issued by a book club, and sometimes other
publishing information, are often on it and no place else in the
book.  When reading a book, I usually put the dj aside carefully
and, when finished with the book, slip it back on and reshelf the
thing.  If I read a book and keep the dust jacket on it, I read the
book very carefully.

I collect some books and I well know the value of a dust jacket. 
For instance, a first edition of Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" in
fine condition is worth  around several hundred dollars.  The same
book with a fine dj is worth several thousand.  This is an extreme
case, but an illuminating example of what dj's can mean.

Dj's began to become common only around the turn of the century. 
People then generally considered dj's as extraneous, unnecessary
material issued by the publisher to protect the book, and,
eventually, to catch the buyer's eye and to increase sales. 
Collector's, dealers, libraries, and other institutions now realize
the artistic, historical, and monetary value of dj's.

So, try to save your dust jackets if you think your book will ever
have any kind (not necessarily monetary) of value to you.  Treat
them as you would the books themselves.  Keep the two together.  And
try to keep you younger kids away from them.  They love to tear the
dj's off the books.