By Lee Bernstein

These are the basic guides every collectables lover should read or own. If you're a dealer, or thinking of becoming one, these are must-haves. A complete set of these books makes for a super research library, especially since many of these books offer additional references for specialised collectors. When you read the guides, always read the pages introducing and explaining how the price guide works.

Be sure to check eBay for used books on collectables that are up for auction. Price guides usually don't repeat the exact items from year to year and recent editions are as great to have as new editions. You can build a library slowly, and then add to your collection on a rotating basis. Every year, replenish books three years old or older. That way, you'll always have a few fresh guides alongside the older ones. (See "Book Price" Collectables: Factors Influencing Value.)

Antique Trader's Antiques & Collectables Price Guide, Kyle Husfloen, Editor. Published by Antique Trader Books. Over 1,500 photos and 900 pages of information. The condensed yet descriptive text preceding the prices in each category is particularly well-researched. Excellent photos. Many factory marks.

Kovels' Antiques & Collectables Price List, Ralph and Terry Kovel. Published by Three Rivers Press. An "appraiser approved" price guide with over 500 photos. Also includes hundreds of factory marks and logos. Fully indexed and cross-referenced. The Kovels are hot sellers and well known as experts in collecting. They have written a number of popular, informative books.

Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide, Sharon Huxford and Bob Huxford, editors. Published by Collector Books. Many people find Schroeder's one of the easiest reference guides to use. Every category places much emphasis on subcategories and includes a great deal of history and information. Prices are easy to find and the listings are easy to scan. There are many excellent photos.

Warman's Antiques and Collectables Price Guide, Ellen Schroy, Editor. Published by Krause Publications. Provides continually updated, highly responsible pricing information and relies upon an outstanding and expert board of advisors. Particularly helpful are the references given under most categories, as well as special auction information and reproduction alerts.

Harry L. Rinker: The Official Price Guide to Collectables, Harry L. Rinker. Published by House of Collectables. Expert and critic Harry L. Rinker is one of the worlds most widely read columnists on collectables. Rinker's outspoken opinions and love of collectables of all kinds makes him a popular author. Rinker's experience in writing for Warman's and his dedication to responsible pricing shows through on every page. There are also a number of outstanding photos, hints, tips, and warnings.

Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual: Cashing in on Today's Lucrative Collectables Market, Sharon Huxford, Editor. Published by Collector Books. In addition to being a comprehensive price guide to hundreds of collectables, the Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual often offers information on collectables you might not find elsewhere. Check here for the tried-and-true as well as items that hold the promise of becoming trendy.

Also recommended...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying and Selling Collectables, Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D. Published by Alpha Books. A newbie must-have, but many collectors and dealers who are far from novice and certainly not "idiots" have found this to be an outstanding reference book. All the basics of collectables are here, and the text is as entertaining as it is informative. Well researched and responsibly written.

Maloney's Antiques & Collectables Resource Directory, David J. Maloney, Jr. Published by Antique Trader Books. Considered by many as being the Who's Who of the collectables world. Includes collectors, dealers, appraisers, experts, clubs, and museums in virtually all categories. A wealth of information.

The preceding material was written by Lee Bernstein. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.