Do you catalog/inventory your collection?

I use a spreadsheet. It can get a bit overwhelming, but the way I see it, it is important to have the data in a place that can be used for insurance purposes (replacement value in the case of loss, etc.).

I have used book inventory software (e.g. homebase from ABEbooks back in the day) which can be helpful, as it has standard fields already for everything you might like to track, but in general having a "notes" column where you put lots of detail is more important than having an "ISBN" column when many books don't have ISBNs or multiple issues have the same ISBN, etc.

my collection got way out of hand ages ago.

Been using a spreadsheet for tracking my collection, as well as info on my want/wish list.

Been meaning to convert it over to using google sheets, so I'd have the ability to view it online when on the go.

I use the spreadsheet method with notes, price paid, condition and so on.

I also keep a record on Instagram, relevant pictures, condition and so on and just keep it private. That way I have a version available while out of the house with details that would not be suited to a spreadsheet. So if a book has damage and I find a replacement I can check Instagram for the pictures of the damage. Works well for me.

Do you keep each book as a different line item even if its the same edition and print, and the only difference is the condition? Still undecided if its better to group them and indicate quantity, but probably the best idea is to keep each one separate even if it makes the spreadsheet larger.

Spreadsheet: A line for each book with my#, title, author, impression, condition, origin, notes, price paid, probable value, Box#, if boxed.

Can't see much reason to retain much more info than that, personally.

I have created a spreadsheet with several lists: US Versions, UK Versions, Non-Middle-earth books, Foreign Language Versions, and UK Deluxe Versions.

Each list has book entries with the following information: Item #, First Published (year), First Thus (year), Book Title, Edition Specifics (signed, illustrated, anniversary edition, etc.), ISBN-13, Publisher, RRP, Price Paid, Print/Bound (place), Impression, Purchased From, Purchase Date, and Notes. I think I have to add "Placed stored" or something to that effect.

So far if I have two identical items with only difference being the condition, I put QTY 2 in Notes. Maybe would be better to have a separate line for each. I just don't want the spreadsheet to become unmanageable, so it is important to have a good system from the get-go.

If you are technically minded, spin up a PostgreSQL instance (or MySQL if you want to use a rubbish database :)), create a few tables and do it properly. You can store records for a 100 million books and it will still give you 20ms access to the individual record :)

I must admit, it isn't something I get hung up on. All the bibliographic info is available online (tolkienbooks.net, etc), so all I really need is a list describing each copy for insurance purposes, more than anything.

Someone just reminded me of this great article on the subject from Wayne and Cristina.

https://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/keeping-track/