Where to Start?
Start slow! It’s easy to make mistakes, even for the most seasoned of collectors. Take your time, collecting can get expensive depending on what you want to collect and how fast you want to achieve your collecting goals. If you are patient you most often will find a deal.
Know what you want
First edition first printings? Signed? Numbered? Leather bound? There are a lot of options when collecting Sanderson he really likes to take care of his collecting fans. He even christened us as “The Sanderson Collectors Guild'' when he heard how organized his collectors had become. Explore the website to see what's available, many of his works have multiple editions, some limited and rare. Definitely ask questions. We are here to help, shop around and remember your budget- there is always another book!
Do your research
Learn what sites exist for used and rare books. Look at sale’s history for Sanderson’s books and build relationships with other collectors and sellers. Follow Sanderson on twitter or read his blog. Add yourself to his mailing list to find out when new books or special editions are coming out or even if he will be doing a signing in your area. Sanderson sells most of his books on his website and if they are out of stock you can ask if they will be getting more. The leather bound editions are restocked often, they are just very popular. Being patient or asking questions can save you a lot of money.
How to value a book
Knowing the value of a book can be complicated and can depend on the buyer. What one collector would value a books worth and what another would can vary greatly but neither is incorrect, it's up to a collector to decide for themselves if something is “worth it”. Condition, rarity and personal collecting goals will help a collector determine the value of a specific book for themselves. If the book is rare then the condition might not be as big a factor but if it's a collectors favorite story they may choose to spend more and get a numbered, lettered or leather bound copy.
Condition
This is one of the most important aspects of deciding the value of a book. Prices can vary widely based on condition. Think of it like real estate. What do they say? Location, Location, Location! While collecting its Condition, Condition, Condition! You may have a beautiful mansion but it's behind a red lobster in Florida. It's the same with a book, maybe it's a 1/1 signed The Final Empire but if it has water damage or the dust jacket is missing, it makes all the difference when deciding on a book's value.
The closest the book is to the day it left the printers the more it will be worth.
Bad words to look out for when reading a listing include but are not limited to; rips, dings, tears, scuffs, creases, bumping, water damage, mold and reminder marks.
Format
Not every title is available in every format. Hardcovers tend to be more valuable than paperbacks, but there are exceptions like an Infinity Blade Awakening paperback which is harder to find than the hardcover. ARC’s and Bound Manuscripts are also not hardcover bound and these are some of the most sought after copies. Types of formats would include hardcover, paperback, eBook, audiobook, leather bound etc..
Numbered and lettered editions
A portion of the first printing may be set aside to be numbered or lettered. They are significantly rarer than just a 1/1 and are therefore significantly more expensive. These tend to be some of the most desirable editions of a book. It's best to decide if you want to go this route first, before spending money on books that are "only" 1st printings. These editions may take you longer to collect and there is no guarantee copies will ever come up for sale.
You also will need to decide if you care about the actual number, if you want a lower sub 100 number or sub 1000 number, or even identical numbers to create matching sets.
Lettered editions are even rarer than numbered. Lettering can be presented as A,B,C or AA,BB,CC or AAA,BBB,CCC depending on the number of lettered copies they decide to produce.
The number of numbered and lettered copies varies from book to book some as low as 50 and others as high as 8,000.
Number line
Most books have a number line on the copyright page. This shows whether this is the first, second, third, etc. press run of that book. The lowest number on the line is the "printing". First printings are usually the most sought-after copies of a book. US and UK printing lines can present differently. Also called a Printer's Key.
Here are two examples of "first printing" number lines: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
A Book Club Editions (BCE) will not have a number line.
Book Haul and Unboxing and First Editions vs First Printings | The Sanderson Collector
Signatures
A book signed by the author is more valuable than an unsigned one. Signatures range from direct signatures on the book (most valuable) to tip-ins, bookplates, and per-printed signatures (least valuable).
Personalization
An inscription by the author intended for a specific person. Example: "To Mark, Happy birthday! - Brandon". For most collectors a book with a personalization will decrease the value of that copy and some would never purchase a book with someone else's name written in it. Whereas other collectors don’t mind personalized books and just want a signed copy or are interested in the most hands on direct contact the author has with that book. They can appreciate the story of that book. Some personalization's may actually increase the value of a book. If it is personalized to another famous person or close family or friend of the author, or a particularly interesting personalization like a drawing, self portrait or poem by the author.
If the resale value of your collection is important to you this can be a significant aspect when considering purchases or if you are getting your own books signed.
As signings become more scaled back personalized books might be a more cost effective option for some of the rarer books for newer collectors.
Signed, lined, and dated
Often collectors will request their books be signed, lined and dated which means they would like their book signed and dated (usually on date of release) and lined. Lined is a more general way to inscribe a book. Brandon usually has a small quote from the book he feels embodies the spirit of his book.
Elantris
The Emperor's Soul "I Know Your Soul"
The Final Empire "I am hope"
Well of Ascension "the mist awaits"
The Hero of Ages
Alloy of Law "Rust and Ruin"
Shadows of Self "Hands all Red"
Bands of Mourning "It is but a different adventure!"
The Lost Metal "A man's whole life.. "
Warbreaker "My Breath to Yours"
The Way of Kings
Words of Radiance "Bridge Four"
Oathbringer
Rhythm of War
Arcanum Unbounded "Be Awesome"
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell "Fear the white fox!"
Skyward "Claim the Stars"
Starsight "See Them"
Cytonic "Fear Creates Courage"
Steelheart "Calamity!"
Firefight
Calamity "There Will be Heroes"
Shadows Beneath "You’re Out of Excuses"
Ask for help!
There's always another book and you don't have to figure it out alone. There is a very active Sanderson collecting community that will be more than happy to help and welcome you with your questions and collections.