August 19, 2007
My newest pride and Joy, the Oxford book of English verse, 1907, original blue cloth binding on india paper.
This lovely volume has become a bit of an obsession for me. Not only can I peruse 13th century poetry at my leisure,but the book has a story and a life of it's own.
I'd love to say I discovered in my grandmothers attic, or tucked away in a homey old brownstone bookstore, but I found it on Ebay.
On it's own it stands as a beautiful volume, obviously well loved by it's previous caretaker, but tucked within it's pages is a wealth of information. Whoever loved this book as much as I do tucked everything from newspaper clippings to a funeral announcement and even a love letter in it's pages. The vast majority of the newspaper clippings are of poetry from the New York Times during the mid 1930's.
To whoever Mary E.V Hanks is, I thank you. More then likely you have gone to the great library in the sky, but I feel honored to have your book in my hands.
I shall cherish this volume, and when I grow old, pass it along with newspaper clippings and poetry from my area...along with a note of who I was, who Mary may have been, and the story of how this book crossed so many miles.
Your book is in safe hands Mary Hanks.
The Oxford book of english verse
August 19, 2007
http://www.rarebookroom.org/
I am in love. Yes, with a website, or rather it's contents. Care to browse antique Shakespearian volumes on your lunch break? Well..now you can, and that in itself is a beautiful thing.
click on the title "browsing history" to visit this lovely site
August 18, 2007 More Doubt
Poe Museum Curator Disputes Historian's Claim That He Began Grave Site Ritual of Roses, Cognac
By William Wan
Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, August 18, 2007; B01
He sneaks into the cemetery every year at night in the dead of winter,the mysterious man in black, to pay his respects at the grave of Edgar Allan Poe. And in his wake, he never fails to leave three roses and a bottle of cognac.
For decades this mystery has drawn thousands to the famed poet's grave in the heart of Baltimore and spawned much speculation. Why the black garb? Why cognac? And just who is this man?
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To continue reading, click on the post title
August 15, 2007 My most recent addition. Recently I heard a lovely poem of John Donne's, so I felt compelled to read more of his works. This is a very nice binding, my only complaint is that the black area on the spine rubs off. Instead of looking at that as a flaw, I'll look at it as giving this volume a well loved look as I read it.
Thus my exploration of John Donne begins...wish me luck.
August 14, 2007 A recent news story intrigued me, the story was about an ATm type machine that prints books on demand, from thousands of literary choices.
Now I adore my old books, but should I need a hard to find volume the possibility of having it in minutes is exciting to me.
Should I win the lotto, this shall be installed in my home. Dangerous, very dangerous.
click hereand an online store
available here
July 27, 2007
Not exactly, it's a few hours drive, but I think it may be quite worth it.
Antiquarian booksellers are a rare find in my area, and this is the closest I can find.
I stumbled across it while looking for an original Charles Dickens volume.
I love happy accidents like that...or is it divine intervention? I can't decide, either way I simply MUST pay them a visit.
Click on the post title to view their site.
July 27, 2007
Have you ever had a book inspire you to action? I have. A few have inspired me to change my life, reach out to others, and purchase items I never would have purchased before.
84 Charing Cross Road ( I know I'm discussing THAT book AGAIN) inspired me to look up all of its book and literary references and read them for myself.
"The Oxford book of English Verse" is on it's way to my house, thanks to Miss Hanff's recommendation, and I now have a copy of "On the Art of Writing" by Sir Arthur Quiller Couch, another book Miss Hanff seemed to think I needed.
My glaring lack of knowledge of foreign policy has driven me to purchase several books as well over the years, but I thought since most nations we are currently in strife with base their actions on their beliefs, I thought it prudent to study up on the basics of religion( other then my own).
Then of course, there are the books you read for no other purpose then entertainment. I call them junk food for the brain, thus my purchase of Preston & Childs' "Book of the dead". I am sure I shall enjoy them all.
Let's hope they don't inspire more purchases, or I may have to sell a kidney soon.
July 27, 2007
Go shopping for books of course!
We lack the money for the honeymoon of our dreams, but we zealously attacked a trip to the California coast. I brought a list of all possible bookshops with me, being the obsessed bibliophile I am, and we hit the boardwalk, bookshops, and aquarium.
The books on my wish list were nowhere to be found, or had been tucked away for safe keeping. Number one on my list was a copy of 84 Charing cross road, since I am disgustingly obsessed with that film, and I never found it. I settled for second best, I ordered a copy online WHILE on my honeymoon...that still counts right?
Because I am sure this book will have to be pried out of my hands upon my death, I inscribed the front with a message to it's future owners. I hope one day they will love it as much as I do.
I also ordered a copy of two other Hanff books, which I am enjoying immensly. They are very much like easing into an overstuffed chair, propping your feet up, and reading letters from an old dear friend on her travels.
But, I was not to be undaunted from actually having a physical book in my hands that WAS purchased in person on my vacation, so when my husband and I went to historic Colton Hall in Monterey, they had a lovely bound book that seemed to belong on my bookshelf.
With my book in hand, and a small art print of "The Lone Cypress", I considered my honeymoon complete.
July 26, 2007 And how did that book change your life?
Click on the title link above......
