You'll undoubtedly get a variety of answers to this question. My advice is that if they are in good condition and if one was signed by the artist I would make them non-circulating and use them for display and for individual researchers.
"Rare" is as rare does. I gave a paper at AJL on the subject of what constitutes a rare book some years ago. Books can be considered rare for all sorts of reasons not just because of scarcity. As to another point which you do not mention, are the dust jackets in tact and in good condition? Daniel J. Rettberg, Ph.D. Rare Book and Manuscript Bibliographer Klau Library Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion 3101 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488 [email protected] From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of BettyLene Franzus Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 10:50 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ha-Safran] Rare Books? Our small synagogue library has 6 books of etchings by Saul Raskin, one copy is signed by the artist. All are first editions and in generally very good condition. One book is exceptionally well kept. Are these books considered "rare" and should they be permitted to circulate? Bettylene W. Franzus Betty Frances Ginsberg Memorial Library B'nai Sholom Congregation Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia <http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/18.gif> "This above all, to thine own self be true. And it shall follow, as the night follows day, thou canst not then be false to any man."
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