• Home
  • Our Books
  • Sell Books
  • Denver Book Collecting Classes
  • Book Care
  • Newsletter
  • Blog

Printed Page Bookshop

Named one of the top three best bookstores in Denver

First things first

November 30, 2020 By Dan Danbom

There are all kinds of book collections and all kinds of book collectors.  If it gives you joy to collect only books that have been run over by buses, that’s great, or if you don’t care whether a book is good condition or falling apart so long as it is about your favorite subject, that’s great, too.  But as book collecting has evolved, most collectors seek an author’s first editions.  A first edition is more desirable than a later edition, and, going the other way, a manuscript is more valuable than a first edition.

This is where things get complicated.  First, the majority of books are first editions.  They’re not popular enough to be reprinted.  Second, while most valuable books are first editions, most first editions are not valuable. Third, identifying first editions can be frustrating and complicated.  That’s because there is no universal way that publishers identify their first editions.

It’s almost as if, centuries ago, all the publishers got together at a convention and asked, “What can we do to create the most confusion for the most people about first editions?” The delegates decided they would all go their own way when it came to identifying firsts, and, even better, to change the way they do that over the years, or sometimes not to even bother.  Some agreed to print “First Edition” on later editions. One contingent decided to create so-called book club editions, which are generally not collectible (except in instances where they are), and another group had the idea of creating publishing houses that just printed reprints, but identified them as first editions, and those, too, were not collectible (except in instances where they are).  Clear, huh? Other ideas were to create things called points, states and issues to further complicate things. The book publisher delegates passed these amendments, and then they all went to the open bar and got really drunk.  Book collectors now share their hangover.

Filed Under: Book-collecting

Location & Hours

1416 S Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80210

As of May 1, 2021, our hours are:
Monday-Saturday 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday Noon- 5:00 pm

Custom Directions

Contact

303-777-7653
theshop@printedpagebookshop.com

  • Facebook
Printed Page Bookshop
Reviewed from Google

4.9 out of 5 stars

Lily Chang
Lily Chang

5 out of 5 stars

posted 1 year ago

Printed Page Bookshop is a local, co-op store co-owned by John and Dan. This Denver, South Broadway bookstore has some ten dealers and a variety of used books, including some signed first editions. I’ve met John and some other vendors. These people love books ans love what they do. It’s a great place to go, browse, and shop.

Peyton Deal
Peyton Deal

5 out of 5 stars

posted 3 months ago

Stumbled upon this shop walking down Broadway. Dan is wonderful, kind, and helpful. So many great books to browse through with the company of the shop dog, Izzy. Left with a friend children's book for my friend's son. Such a great experience spending time in here!

Linda Hylle
Linda Hylle

5 out of 5 stars

posted 6 months ago

Printed Page is a well curated and beautifully maintained “pre-owned” book shop. Sections are clearly labeled and if you have questions the owners are happy to answer any questions. The day I stopped in one of the owners, Dan, happily chatted with me and helped me choose a book as a gift for my son from a specific genre. It is obvious these owners are passionate about books and and sharing their inventory with the public.

Read All 205 Reviews
Printed Page Bookshop 5.0 star rating 45 reviews Yelp logo

From the blog:

  • Home for the Holidays (and then returned)
  • Shelf Deception
  • What do John Steinbeck and Harry Potter have in common?

Copyright © 2023 · Printed Page Bookshop · 1416 S Broadway Denver, Colorado 80210 · Log in