Why do dust jackets affect value so much?
Most books printed after 1920 were issued with dust jackets, although many of them were quite plain and covered nicely decorated covers that were hidden beneath. As a result, many dust jackets were thrown away. Those that were not thrown out were vulnerable to damage, as the jacket is the most fragile part of the book. Dust jackets add value to books and are sought by collectors because they are an original part of the book as it first appeared. The condition of the jacket is an important factor in determining the value of a book.
