Do You Mark Up Your Reference Books?
Insider2
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I am guilty of adding notes neatly to a book including drawing microscopic diagnostics such as die breaks on photos using a red pen. Depending on the book, I may highlight something in the text using a yellow marker. Everything is done very neatly. On one hand the value of the book is decreased but on the other, it may be more valuable to a specialist.
What I cannot stand is a ham-fisted destruction of a reference book such as this. Especially as in this case it WAS NOT NECESSARY at all!
Do you mark up your books? Are you neat or does it matter?
1
Comments
The only time I mark up my bust quarter books is when I find an error or something changes. My biggest problem is the binding is going on one of them from looking at it so much.
Yes, I add comments, notations, diagrams, reference marks, highlight, underline, circle, arrow, spelling to MY reference books. I really appreciate pages with wider margins. I also take advantage of spaces at ends of chapters and especially blank pages in the front and back of MY books.
And I recently purchased a used CPG vol. 1 from Dr. Jim Wiles in Texas and it contains lots of his notes, changes, corrections, which is a treat. Peace Roy
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I use a highlighter except on a very old or expensive one. Sometimes a pencil.
Not sure why but I would never consider writing in any book.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Yes.
I have a copy of Edkins' reference on coal company scrip that I write in. I put a check mark in pencil next to all of the pieces I own, to try an keep from purchasing duplicates. It would work better if I kept it up to date.
Only once during a power failure with a full cup of coffee
I do like to own multiple copies of specific auction catalogs which I can highlight and write notes in for future reference.
Only the Red book to circle an item I am bidding on.
I annotated my copy of Bruce Fox's walker tome with my own comments and observations...but otherwise nope, not even auction catalogs.
Of course. I think I have worn some out too.
No I dont but I have post it notes and the likes all over it
Rarely and discreetly.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Never, I use sticky notes.
I like to buy used books in good condition HOPING that previous owner(s) marked it so that I can glean from something that went off in their heads. And I put my own notes in too. The example you showed above is hilarious - how many 'OF's are you going to have one one side of a U.S. coin?
I write all over them. Unless they are rare books or otherwise valuable.
We grew up being taught to "respect" books, but with today's ease of creation and distribution, most books aren't "sacred" and do not merit such regard.
I tried to use a reference book as a checklist but in the end just reverted back to using a spreadsheet
I have marked up the well worn copy of Sullivan's 19th century presidential campaign medalet book with the grades of the pieces I have in pencil. It's much easier to keep track of what I have at the shows.
I never mark in my books, but do use bookmarks! Notes and points of interest can be useful and are welcome if done neatly, highlighters and red pens?? Sure, why not if it's your book... If it's a library book though, I wouldn't.
Dedicated mark-up copies are reserved for CRUD: corrections, revisions, updates and deletions.
Historically valuable books are never annotated....work only from expendable paper copies or digital files. But, most of my research is with original primary source materials, and markups on them are digital so I can search easily. Older books are only useful near the end of a project.
I mark my "at home" half dime book a bunch. The one I use at shows, I had the binding cut out, scrapped a bunch of pages that do not relate to attribution, and had a spiral binding put in. Now I have an easily-transported reference for coin needs away from home
For awhile I marked up (in light pencil) my copy of Blythe's Liberty Seated Half Dime book, as it had several mistakes.
However, now I keep track of all die varieties and die states in a spreadsheet which is my primary reference,
so I don't bother marking up the book anymore.
Nope !!!
My Overton book is filled with BHNC corrections. It's unfortunate Parsley ignores most of them in his newer editions.
Lance.
I used to, but haven't since 3M invented post-it notes. I also use them to tab certain often used pages. Much cleaner, especially since my handwriting is abysmal, and others years from now won't criticize me for writing undecipherable hieroglyphs in the book.
There are even clear ones I've used on maps to mark routes, with entry and exit point on pages in my Delorme maps. I've found this the best use, since I reuse those maps multiple times...
I will mark text books... those publications that are specifically for learning. Historical publications or autographed publications I do not mark. A teacher long ago told me to put notes in my textbook... "The book is for learning, and what helps you to understand or expand your knowledge, should be documented there." Never forgot that. Cheers, RickO
I do this to the Mega Red Books. Not really sure why my dad did it to the first one we got so I just carried on the habit. Takes a good minute to do it though but, is genuinely helpful.
A government accident left me a former man, a potato. That photo on my profile is a low resolution selfie. I like coins.
Check with your local bookbinder. They can reback it or turn it into a spiral copy.
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
I never write in my books. I would possibly write in a redbook, but that would be it.
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i just mark up my red book as well. the others no, not interested
I never write in my books.
I do, however, take notes on separate pieces of paper and keep them together with my books.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I never write in my books as they are more valuable
than I am. I have over 530 auction catalogs and 64
books on U.S. coins. I do take copious notes on paper
and make diagrams of unusual coins at various die stages,
as well as counterfeit pieces.
The trouble is, the written papers begin to pile up & consume
my office so I move them to another room where I lose track
of them & can't find them again. There are post-it notes everywhere.
My children & their children will come across them some day
& think,,,why didn't grandpa just ask the ALEXA 20600! , instead
of making all these scribblings.
R.I.P. Bear
^^^ This ^^^
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
I might as well confess now that I've been looking at the thread title for 2-3 days and wondering who would care if a store marked up its merchandise.
I use sticky notes and sticky tabs.
The last time I wrote in a book was during college and that was mostly highlighter.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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I always will jot down things in my reference books and auction catalogs. My stuff is so beat up from use(loose pages, broken binding) over the years. If anything, my notes are priceless to me. I won’t add notes or markings to valuable catalogs though.
I do not. I try to keep them as pristine as possible.
Yes I do......anything added helps! As long as it is correct!
Yet, old auction catalogs with annotations are prized by collectors of such things.
I collect books, so no. Auction catalogs are another story.
Absolutely not.
That's a good idea.
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If the book is still in print I sometimes write in it, If it's out of print normally not.
I consider writing in books as a kind of vandalism. Spend $2 for a campanion notebook and write notes to yourself in it.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein