The De Orbe Novo collection recently went to sale at auction. What I saw in the results was what I've known for a long time, pick who you trust wisely. For the first time, a rare book auction went to sale with the acquired-prices publicly listed. Up until now, information in the rare book field has been a highly-valued commodity not accessible to everyone. The ones who had it were free to use it as they would. Human nature isn't always a pretty sight.

Well, the analog age is coming to an end, even for the rare book field. Information is now available for those who seek it. What was once rumor or hearsay you now have the option of following up and verifying the information. As a collector myself, I want to know everything I can about whatever I'm collecting, be it basketball cards, stamps or rare books. As a 5th grader just beginning to collect, I made the point of obtaining the entire collection of Fleer Metal NBA basketball cards for the 1996-'97 season. Back then, Beckett Media did not have a website, but they offered a magazine you could buy at any collectible shop, and, released on a monthly basis, would give you up-to-date information and prices on virtually every card in existence. Having this source allowed me to ascertain my cards' values, and offer & reject trades with my friends to complete my collection and help them do the same. Getting this information, to me, was a no-brainer and actually a must. If I don't know what I'm collecting, how can I make educated and rational purchases? The answer is I cannot.