Antiquarian Collectible Books: From a $2 First Edition to an $88 Lighting Reference

The antiquarian collectible book market spans a $2 pocket history and an $88 lighting reference. This guide compares four titles by price, condition, and topic so you can choose the right addition to your library.

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Quick Take

Antiquarian collectible books are a category where the monetary price says little about the collectible story. A worn paperback can be a first edition, and a costly reference can be a specialist's tool. The four titles here span a wide price range, from a 1950 first-edition paperback to a high-priced lighting reference, with an illustrated book-trade history in between. Choosing among them means deciding whether you are looking for a true first edition, a niche research volume, or a readable history of the book business. This guide walks through each title by price, condition, and topic so you can match the book to your shelf.

Price Comparison at a Glance

The listed prices range from $2.00 to $88.75. The visual bars below show the relative spread, with the Pocket History at the short end and the lighting reference at the full bar.

Product	Listed Price	Visual Bar
The Pocket History of American Painting by James Thomas Flexner 1950 1st Ed PB	USD 2.00
Lighting Devices and accessories of the 17th-19th Centuries, History, Ill - GOOD	USD 7.96
Book Row: An Anecdotal and Pictorial History of the Antiquarian Book Trade	USD 15.77
LIGHTING DEVICES AND ACCESSORIES OF THE 17TH-19TH By Stan Hamper \\Excellent	USD 88.75

Decision Matrix

If you are torn between the four titles, this quick matrix can point you in the right direction.

If your priority is...	Best match
A low-priced collectible	The Pocket History of American Painting
A specialty lighting reference without a high price	Lighting Devices and accessories of the 17th-19th Centuries, History, Ill - GOOD
A story of the antiquarian book trade	Book Row: An Anecdotal and Pictorial History of the Antiquarian Book Trade
A lighting reference at the higher price	LIGHTING DEVICES AND ACCESSORIES OF THE 17TH-19TH By Stan Hamper \\Excellent

Product Notes

The Pocket History of American Painting by James Thomas Flexner 1950 1st Ed PB

At $2.00, this 1950 first-edition paperback is the lowest-priced title here, and it brings genuine age and collectible personality. It is described as Like New, with an unbroken spine, clean unmarked pages, and all black-and-white illustrations and photographs. The limitations are important: there is no dust jacket, and the front and back boards have very minimal damage. For a collector who wants an early Pocket Books-style edition of American painting history without spending much, this is a compelling starting point.

Lighting Devices and accessories of the 17th-19th Centuries, History, Ill - GOOD

This Stan Hamper reference is priced at $7.96, and it offers a broad look at lighting devices through the 17th to 19th centuries. The book is published by Collector Books, with topics that span glass and glassware, electrical history, and general antiques. That makes it a useful specialty shelf addition for collectors of early lighting. The condition is described as good, so you should expect some visible wear, and supplemental items such as CDs or access codes may not be included. For someone who wants the lighting reference in a practical, lower-cost form, this copy is the right choice.

Book Row: An Anecdotal and Pictorial History of the Antiquarian Book Trade

Published in 2019 by Skyhorse, this $15.77 illustrated history by Marvin Mondlin and Roy Meador tells the story of the antiquarian book trade itself. It covers topics around editors, journalists, publishers, and the Middle Atlantic book scene, making it a fitting read for anyone who loves bookstores and the people behind them. The copy is described as fully readable with all pages intact, though it may show normal signs of use such as light writing, highlighting, or library markings. The illustrations make it a visual companion to the other collectibles in this group. It is a strong choice for readers who want context about how antiquarian books came to be bought and sold.

LIGHTING DEVICES AND ACCESSORIES OF THE 17TH-19TH By Stan Hamper \\Excellent

This Stan Hamper copy is the high-priced option at $88.75, and it is the other Stan Hamper lighting reference here. The text is described as unmarked and the book is in very good condition, with specific dimensions of 8.5 by 5.5 by 0.25 inches and a weight of 0.35 pounds. The title phrasing includes Excellent, while the condition is given as very good with possible signs of use or wear. When you want this lighting reference with a stated very good condition text and item measurements, this is the one-provided the higher price is acceptable. The main limitation is the cost, which is far above the other lighting copy.

Final Recommendation by Use Case

Choose the Pocket History when you want a first-edition collectible at a very low price. Choose the lighting reference in the GOOD edition when you want the topic in a practical, lower-cost form. Choose Book Row when you want the human and commercial story behind antiquarian books. Choose the higher-priced lighting copy only if the extra cost is acceptable in your collection. If you are assembling a small antiquarian shelf, the Pocket History gives you a genuine 1950 first edition, Book Row explains the trade, and the GOOD lighting reference fills a specialized niche without straining a budget.

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