My rare book discovery

February 1, 2013
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I picked up a book at a library sale the other day that seemed to be quite interesting. It contained a set of Chinese paper-cuts on each page, tipped in along with Chinese postage stamps. I could not identify any of the contributors to the work, but it did have the pages printed in both […]

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Research aids of yesterday and today

January 29, 2013
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With thousands of rare book websites available, finding information on rare books can seem less time-consuming than ever before. There is now no need to run to the library to peruse the reference section for pricing catalogues that are current and detailed enough to indicate an accurate valuation. It no longer seems, however, that the […]

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Print Methods in Rare Book Illustrations

January 23, 2013
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Illustrations in rare books have their origins in three basic print methods:  Relief printing, Intaglio and Planographic printing.The difference between Relief, Intaglio and Planographic printing is in the use of the printing plate or block. Relief print is a printmaking process where protruding surface faces of the block are inked; recessed areas are ink free. Woodcuts […]

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What is a priceless rare book worth?

January 18, 2013
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The St. Cuthbert Gospel (formerly known as the Stonyhurst Gospel) undoubtedly qualifies as the oldest intact European book. It is currently on display in the British Library on long-term loan by both its private owners and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The history of this book is the most dramatic exhumation of any manuscript known to mankind. Made […]

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Inspiring Minds: Howard Pyle as Teacher of NC Wyeth

January 15, 2013
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     Among the most distinguished American illustrators throughout American literature, Howard Pyle and his apt pupil, N.C Wyeth stand at the forefront. Through Pyle’s and Wyeth’s lively illustrations, literary classics were brought to life, and were received with much acclaim and fame that has continued to this day. Literary favorites such as Treasure Island, The […]

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Cult writers and story-liners

January 11, 2013
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In comic books, favorite writers are often bound to have more collectable value even if the storyline isn’t that great. If Stan Lee was to write an issue of Spiderman, for instance, it is guaranteed to sell out before it is even distributed. But what about cult writers or the ones who are often contracted to write a story […]

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Rare Book Sale Monitor update – 4th Quarter 2012

January 8, 2013
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And the winner is…..Ian Fleming. Never before in the history of the Rare Book Sale Monitor (RBSM) has there been such a spike recorded. The author that was only just last quarter added to the group of authors tracked, had his works, mostly books from Jonathan Cape and the James Bond series, see a phenomenal […]

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The monumental epic of American literature

January 4, 2013
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Among the many valuable and enlightening rare books to be barely found in the rare book market today, none come close to surpassing Herman Melville’s 1851 masterpiece, Moby Dick or The Whale. In addition to providing the reader with a tantalizingly realistic picture of what life on a whaling ship in the middle of the […]

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Year end thoughts of the rare book kind

December 28, 2012
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Historical trends on e-book sales from the last few years convinced a number of analysts to postulate and project that by the end of 2012 e-books will comprise 50% of total book sales.  As the financial results from companies such as Amazon, Pearson, Simon & Schuster and Barnes & Noble got released, one indication became […]

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Christmas with children’s book illustrator Tasha Tudor

December 21, 2012
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As the yuletide season is upon us, it is only natural that among merry thoughts of snowfalls, wrapped gifts and fires flickering on the hearth, the rare books of the festive author and illustrator Tasha Tudor should come to mind. Tasha Tudor took great delight in the Christmas season, and put much creativity into lovely […]

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