One of the words we often use to describe the books, ephemera and even vinyl we sell at Bynx is “collectible.” Now that can mean different things for different people, so let us break down the definition in our terms.
Scarcity, Quality & Original Intent
The most obvious reason most things like books are collectible is because they are hard to find; indeed, scarcity is what primarily contributes to an item’s value, particularly if it is highly celebrated and influential. Of course, something that drives value up even further is if it is of high quality. That is particularly true of older items, which of course naturally degrade over the years. If you’re fortunate enough to find, for example, a first-edition book in remarkable condition (say, for example, a Hemingway novel), it has likely been well cared for and remains as close to its original state as possible.
This quest for originality also points to another collectibility attribute; getting as close as possible to the author or artists’ initial intent with their work. This is especially true of books, first printings of which involve the author more heavily than reprints. Whether it’s the artwork, the binding, the inclusions of printing errors, original introductions and the like — these features often make a book particularly collectible.
Signed, Inscribed or Review Copies
Other more obvious attributes that make an item collectible are the inclusion of an authentic signature (be it the author or artist, such as the case of posters like the one for this Circle Jerks concert). In other cases, the author has inscribed it (meaning they’ve written a sort sentence directly to the original owner of the book in question, like in this Ted Joans book). Most collectors prefer a signature void of an inscription, but that doesn’t mean the latter is undesirable. It still means the book or piece of ephemera has passed through the creator’s hands and that in an of itself adds value. In the world of vinyl, this is also true (for example, this extremely scarce copy of The Rolling Stones in Mono boxset). It’s also not as common to find signed records, so this often adds quite a bit of value depending on the artist in question.
Collectibility — It’s In The Eye of the Beholder
Ultimately, collecting is a very personal endeavor, and what makes something collectible to one person may be something totally different for another. Whatever the case may be, our focus at Bynx is on curating items that excite our curiosity and pay homage to some of the most celebrated and prolific artists to walk the earth. We hope you share in our passion, and find something that excites that same collectible feeling within you.