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I love books. I love all books. I am especially fond of rare books, and first editions. I think books and their dust jackets are a thing of beauty. I just picked up a 1st edition copy of Carrie, someone discarded. The dust jacket is fair, but come on--it is still a thing of beauty on so many levels? 90% of my collection is non-fiction. I started to accumulate books before the Internet--thinking, I'm tired of going to the library, and who doesn't need a library in order to get through life, especially if you are the type of person who is forced be a DIYer(in my case poor, and I knew I would have to fix problems myself), or have a wide range of interests?

That said, if I was coming up today--I wouldn't have all these books. I can get most of the information online. I now am going to have to part with these books eventually in order to lighten my load. I will keep two boxes of non-fiction, and most of of 1st editions, if possible, and all my Horology books.

The used book business is dead, which I find sad. I really enjoy looking through used book stores, but where I live, the used book stores had to close down. I don't know how used book stores stay in business with these rents. I do donate to good independent used book stores--not Goodwill(I can't figure out what that nonprofit really does, and just who is really benefitting? (Goodwill--keep your employees employed longer than one year, if the person can't find a job. You know the employees I'm talking about. I know you have the money to carry these people. We have bought your overpriced products for years? I know what your regional managers make, and it seems unfair?)

If I had an empty store front, and I really didn't need the money; I would give a low long term lease to the right individual, if they wanted to open a used book store. It would be an honor.

I used to be one of those guy's who fiercely defended a physical book, but have changed my mind for the most part. There are a few instances where a physical book is preferred over the electronic edition in my little world. One area is automotive. If you work on you own automobile, buy a factory service manual for that year of auto you are working on. (My father got me into this habit, and it was great advice.)

Way off topic--sorry--I probally need therapy?

Given how much manual skilled labor was involved in producing books back then it doesn't surprise me that there was a secondary used market.
The parchment was also extremely expensive. The labor for someone to hand-copy the manuscript cost 36 shillings, but the parchment cost 6 shillings 9 pence (6.75 shillings).
That was interesting. Looking at the amount of time involved, I can see why. To make parchment, an animal hide has to be limed, which is an eighteen hour process to start with, scraped and then dried at room temperature under tension.
It's fascinating how a penciled-in price actually adds (greatly!) to the value of the manuscript when sold now.

BTW anyone know of an inexpensive source for parchment?