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A comment on Rare book experts join forces to stop tome raiders. Parent comment

Re:Rare book experts join forces to stop tome raiders by wodenokoto on Sunday May 17, 2015 @11:47PM (#9562793)
I don't get the logic here. If they love the book and not the content, why do they care if the content is available.

Moreover, the availability of pictures of Mona Lisa is a big part of its popularity. Wouldn't you rather own the only copy of a famous atlas, then an obscure one?

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Re:Rare book experts join forces to stop tome raiders by bkst on Monday May 18, 2015 @04:27AM (#9563307)
>If they love the book and not the content, why do they care if the content is available.

They want to have something that others can't have.

>Wouldn't you rather own the only copy of a famous atlas, then an obscure one?

Some would, but there are plenty who prefer the obscurity. Most aristocrats are more interested in impressing their friends and immediate circle with off-beat style than in starting a popular museum or being seen as gaudy. Obscurity is hip--and sometimes it can even be affordable.

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