Why did printed books make it possible for collectors to compete for the same copies?

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The invention of the printing press fundamentally transformed book collecting by enabling the production of hundreds of nearly identical copies of a single work.1

Prior to this, books were scarce, expensive, and handmade, which restricted collecting to a very small number of wealthy individuals. The ability to mass-produce editions meant that books became more accessible to the developing middle class. As these printed volumes entered the second-hand trade, collectors were finally able to compete for the same desirable titles. This competition was further fueled by the growing reputation and "collectibility" of specific works over time.1