The burning of the library of Alexandria is considered one of the greatest set backs in human history. 

Books are the oldest form of information storage technology. Though the overtop actions of “Jackson” reflect a humorous, cancelable, and almost satirical nature here at Awful Books I genuinely do believe that rare books are an investment rather than just bland consumerism.

New things don't need to be made, since the introduction of plastic we've seen a sharp decline in the quality, innovation, and design of American culture. Something I've lived by is not relying so much on the value of the U.S. Dollar which is a debt based currency but relying on the soul that is embodied within well formed design sparked by the need for innovation and trading my debt based currency for those items. Think of all the "cool" things you've wanted to buy but have increased in value since inflation has taken hold, those things, whatever it may be haven't magically had their supply cut, the money supply has increased while the item has maintain it's inherent design which is recognized as well formed by the market.

Why rare books? Old books have hidden or lost knowledge that allow you to understand, predict, and implement your will on the systems of the world. They enable self actualization through knowledge. The physical aspect of owning a book rather than an audio book is it something that I have direct will over, not some banker, government, or group think market, I directly have something in my possession that maintains value better than gold and holds knowledge of the collective human experience (the rarest material in known existence). Rare books are something that will truly preserve value since it has inherent rarity, that being human thought. As humanity expands outwards to the stars made of diamond and mines asteroids filled with rare earth metals, books, tomes, and scrolls with ancient knowledge and past candid reflections will only become more invaluable and truly forms of art.