Rare books in the Year of the Snake

February 19, 2013
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At the beginning of last year in the midst of a slew of exciting exhibits and predictions made by institutions about the literary explosion that was expected to take place in China, we wrote an article titled “2012 – The Year of China.”   We appropriately concluded that “only time will tell whether 2012 turns out […]

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Man Ray and a missed opportunity

February 15, 2013
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Here is a piece of advice to all the collectors out there – next time you come across an opportunity, grab it. I am, of course, referring to the opportunity to make a purchase of a desirable rare book if and when that unexpected chance arrives. Last November at the Fine Books & Manuscripts Skinner […]

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All for love, in Tasha Tudor rare books

February 12, 2013
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This article first appeared on RareBooksDigest February 6, 2012. As hearts and thoughts turn towards the one wondrous day of every year where individuals of all walks in life pause to ponder and reflect on the love which they are fortunate enough to feel for an individual of their acquaintance, it should come as no […]

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An underperformer with historical importance

February 8, 2013
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No one who reads romances would find it difficult to imagine a society differing beyond recognition from our current arrangement. They could easily imagine a society, for example, that values clarity as an essential quality in great art, and views imagination as irrational. Or a society that has no familiarity of classical Gotham and no […]

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Thank You!

February 5, 2013
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Much of what we do here at Rarebooksdigest.com is discovering rare books, and the stories that accompany them. These stories can pertain to the written pages, the outside covers of the books, or even to the people who cherished them.   For much else, however, we are in debt to our superior scholars and booksellers, whose […]

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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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