Rare book

In the antiquarian trade, books of limited or unique survival from the early days of movable type printing are called incunabula. These sixteenth century works are joined in the rare or rarely found category by early editions of important humanistic, scientific, historical and literary compositions. Also considered rare are old first editions, fine bindings, famous author autographed or annoted works, works with bookplates of famous individuals or collections, and some curiosa. Modern books may be considered rare under certain conditions, e.g. the only surviving copy or copies of suppressed works. Antiquarians may also deal with old manuscripts, and rare book libraries may collect works printed on hand-lettered parchment or vellum, in codices, loose sheets or in bindings. Some rare books may be written on palm or other leaves. Rare books may be worth vast amounts of money. For this reason business practices concerned with them require consultations with experts, to protect against forgeries or other frauds or excesses, for example.