I think you've made yr point and then ignored it: money. If you're an art dealer trying to sell a $5M painting you know most if not all the potential buyers. There are far more buyers for a $15,000 book, though it's a stopper for many others. Now I'm going to say something that will sound elitist; If you can't afford to shell out $5,000 for a good first in American or British poetry (not including high moderns), then you should find someone else to collect. Or find a way to skimp on other things, which calls for a very understanding partner.
Finally, I've been to all sorts of big fairs. Passersby don't have clue about the pandemonium going on behind closed doors.
One nice thing about book collecting is that you can substitute persistence and ingenuity for money. I know collectors with very impressive collections built on not much money because they picked subjects that most people didn't care about and then pursued them for decades. But money always helps, as does an understanding partner.
I think you've made yr point and then ignored it: money. If you're an art dealer trying to sell a $5M painting you know most if not all the potential buyers. There are far more buyers for a $15,000 book, though it's a stopper for many others. Now I'm going to say something that will sound elitist; If you can't afford to shell out $5,000 for a good first in American or British poetry (not including high moderns), then you should find someone else to collect. Or find a way to skimp on other things, which calls for a very understanding partner.
Finally, I've been to all sorts of big fairs. Passersby don't have clue about the pandemonium going on behind closed doors.
One nice thing about book collecting is that you can substitute persistence and ingenuity for money. I know collectors with very impressive collections built on not much money because they picked subjects that most people didn't care about and then pursued them for decades. But money always helps, as does an understanding partner.