My story is probably similar to that of most book lovers and collectors.

I am one of those people who was born to collect. When I was a child, it was rocks and stamps. In high school, my best friend and I collected different types of stationery, so we could write really neat notes to each other. As an adult, I have been collecting depression glass, salt and pepper shakers, old linens, paper dolls, and iron-on embroidery transfers.

I was also born to read. Mom started buying me Nancy Drew and other series books when I was in second grade, and I bought lots of them with every penny I could save. I was never without a book in my close proximity. Then, when I was in high school my family moved from Wisconsin to Florida, and Mom wanted to get rid of as much stuff as we could due to limited space in the moving van. I gave my precious books to a neighbor who was just starting to be interested in that type of reading. I didn’t mind, I was 16 and way too mature for kid’s books, and she really appreciated them.

But over the years I missed them, they had been a big part of my life up till then.

So I can’t figure out why it took me till I was in my 40’s to decide to collect Nancy Drew books. But, better late than never!!!

I started with a few Nancy Drew tweeds, which I came across at a flea market. They were in perfect condition, and I read them immediately. Yes, I still loved them as much as I ever had. They brought back such nice memories, so I decided to get back as many of my Nancy’s and other favorite books as I could.

Then I discovered Ebay, and bought several Nancy’s. Jenn’s website and the Sleuth group came next. My collection was growing, so I found a little set of video tape shelves that sat on the floor and revolved, which was just the perfect size to house my little Nancy Drew collection. I had tweeds, glossies, a cameo, matte picture covers with various artwork, and even an Applewood. They looked so nice in the little shelves. But wouldn’t it be nicer still if they all matched?

So my next dilemma was which format to collect? I had owned tweeds and YSPC’s in my past, and had borrowed a lot of blue and orange covers from my friend. Hard to decide which was best! And, I had become quite emotionally attached to the copies I already had, so I couldn’t part with them even if they didn’t match the ones I decided to collect. So, one of each cover art became my goal.

Gosh darn if I didn’t discover the paperbacks next! Had to have one of each cover art of them, too……

My little collection grew along with my knowledge about the different formats. I am still trying to get one of each cover art, and every title in each format, with a few self imposed limitations.

I now have close to 750 volumes of Nancy Drew books, all different in some way. I have all formats, (I hope!) and as many titles as I can find in each format. I am trying to ignore the foreign editions, although my Dad found a British paperback for me, and a few more of them along with a French copy found their way to me. I especially prize the 2 solid blue board covers that I have, and the blue and orange covers. I dearly love all of my books, they are my very favorite thing to collect now, and probably will be for the rest of my life.

A few years ago we built an addition to our house, and one of the new rooms is my very treasured dream-come-true library. I have 2 sets of shelves devoted to my Nancy Drew books. There is also tons of room for the other books which I collect, including Trixie Belden, Ginny Gordon, Donna Parker, Cherry Ames, XBarX Boys, Radio Boys, Hardy Boys, Dana Girls, Honey Bunch, Ruth Fielding, Maida, American Girls, Harry Potter, and even a few grown-up novels and mysteries! I felt obligated to allow my husband to have some space for his books too, which put a small dent in my space, but he’s worth it!

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