May is a month for new beginnings, as countless graduates begin a new journey in life. This important milestone requires special recognition. The best graduation gifts are those that the graduate can appreciate for years to come—items whose value increases over time and that the graduate can come to appreciate in new ways. Rare books often make ideal gifts for high-school and university graduates. A few tips for choosing exactly the right title:
- Select an author or genre that the graduate already enjoys. For instance, a lover of fantasy novels would appreciate works by JRR Tolkien, while a student athlete may prefer the biography of an inspiring sports star.
- Consider the graduate’s career plans. For the aspiring medical or veterinary student, look to vintage biology and anatomy titles. For the soon-to-be chef, opt for a classic cookbook.
- Choose a title that can truly be a foundation for a wonderful personal library or rare book collection. Collections may consist of modern first editions, a single legendary author, or a specific subject area.
- Opt for a book that isn’t extremely fragile. College students tend to be more transient, and multiple moves aren’t always the best for a rare book’s overall condition.
- If your graduate will be taking time for a gap year or other travel, consider a book that evokes the part of the world the graduate will be visiting. For example, travel writing by Mark Twain remains both entertaining and enlightening for those seeking an experience abroad.
- Select a book that the graduate can tell is inherently special. Signed editions are often good choices, because one need not be a rare book collector to understand that a signature can add to a book’s value.
- Sometimes the best way to welcome adulthood is to remember childhood. Classic children’s books are a lovely way to remind your graduate of how far he or she has come.
What was the best rare book you received as a gift? What was the occasion?
May 17th, 2012
Today is the birthday of Lyman Frank Baum, creator of the Land of Oz and author of 55 novels, 82 short stories, and hundreds of other works. His books have inspired musicals, plays, and movies. Baum’s works also have immense appeal among rare book collectors, particularly those connected with Oz. These works are commonly referred to as Oziana.
A Privileged Childhood
Lyman Frank Baum (called Frank by his family) grew up on Rose Lawn, the family’s estate in Chittenango, New York. His father, Benjamin, was originally a barrel maker but made his fortune thanks to the oil fields of Pennsylvania. When Frank was 12, his parents sent him to the Peekskill Military Academy to toughen him up. But he was miserable and came home after only two years.
Baum soon began writing, likely due to his fascination with printing. His father bought him a printing press, and he was soon publishing The Rose Lawn Home Journal, which even included advertisements for local businesses. He soon launched a second journal, The Stamp Collector. This was followed by an eleven-page pamphlet called Baum’s Complete Stamp Dealer’s Directory, which he published after starting a stamp dealership with friends.
The Journey to Authorship
By the time he was 20, Baum had taken up a very fashionable occupation: breeding fancy poultry. He specialized in Hamburgs, and soon began The Poultry Journal. His first book was A Brief Treatise on the Mating, Rearing, and Management of Different Varieties of Hamburgs.
Around the same time, Baum became obsessed with the theater—a passion that nearly ruined him on a few occasions. One theater troupe convinced Baum to refurbish its costumes out of his own pocket, in return for the promise of a leading role that never materialized. After that debacle, Baum moved to Syracuse to work in his brother’s dry goods store. While working there, he discovered another clerk dead in the store room, an apparent suicide. The episode inspired his short story “The Suicide in Kiaros,” published in The White Elephant.
In July 1888, Baum moved his family to Aberdeen, Dakota Territory. His experiences there would influence his descriptions of Kansas in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He edited the local newspaper there. When the newspaper failed, Baum moved the family back east to Chicago and took a position writing for the Evening Post.
Literary Breakthrough
Baum found moderate success as an author in 1897, when he published Mother Goose in Prose. In 1899 he partnered with WW Denslow to publish Father Goose: His Book. The title went on to be the bestselling children’s book of the year. This event proved to be the tipping point of Baum’s career: when he and Denslow published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, it received critical acclaim—and spent two years at the top of the bestseller list.
Baum went on to write 13 more novels based on the people and places of Oz. In 1902, he also teamed up with composer Paul Tretjens and director Julien Mitchell for a musical stage version of the book, which he called The Wizard of Oz. That title stuck for other adaptations, including two movie versions of the novel.
Collecting Oziana
If you’re a rare book collector interested in Oziana, it’s important to consult a bibliography as you begin the collection. The most thorough is Bibliographia Oziana. Baum’s works make an excellent focus for a rare book collection for two primary reasons. First, he was an incredibly prolific author, giving collectors plenty of material for building an incredibly diverse collection around a single author.
Second, Baum’s work has taken on a life of its own in popular culture. The result: in addition to books, there are countless items of associated ephemera. Meanwhile, The Wizard of Oz inspires generation after generation, most notably inspiring Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
What was your first experience with Baum’s works?
May 15th, 2012
It’s that time of year when many of us begin to get that itch to get away. Summer is right around the corner, and with it the mystical promise of summer travel. If you’re stuck at home this holiday season, or looking for a little inspiration for this year’s travels, you may find help from a seemingly unlikely source: Mark Twain. That’s right: this titan of American literature got his start as a travel writer.
Searching for Adventure
From a young age, Samuel Clemens (Twain’s given name) was on the hunt for adventure. His family lived in Hannibal, Missouri, a bustling town right on the Mississippi River. The city had a shiny veneer of excitement, with performers and merchants constantly coming into town—but it also had a dark underbelly. By the time he was 10, Samuel had already witnessed two murders. The city of Hannibal would serve as the backdrop for both The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, albeit under the name of “St. Petersburg.”
Though Clemens’ first job was working for his older brother’s newspaper, he soon found another calling: piloting steamboats. By 1859, he had his license and loved the work. The position was exciting, lucrative, and rather high status. Clemens had managed to find his adventure—in his own back yard. (The pseudonym Mark Twain is steamboat slang for “twelve feet of water.”)But when the Civil War broke out in 1861, travel up and down the river halted. Clemens had to look for a new source of excitement.
Exploring New Frontiers
Naturally he headed out West to Nevada and California. Clemens fully expected to strike it rich panning for gold or silver. Instead, he ended up penniless by mid-1862. In September he took a job writing for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. It was here that he first adopted his pen name. It was also while working here that Twain got his first big break. In 1865, “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” was published in newspapers and magazines across the country (often under different tiles). The tale of mining life was one of Twain’s first forays into travel writing. From then on, Twain’s travel writing gained nationwide attention:
- In 1869, Twain published The Innocents Abroad. This account of his five-month cruise through Europe and the Holy Land was a bestseller, largely because of Twain’s irreverent tone toward both European and American tourists. It remains one of the best selling travel books of all time!
- Twain then further capitalized on his adventures to the American West with Rouging It (1872). The semi-autobiographical novel was written as a prequel to Innocents Abroad.
- Twain later returned to Europe and used the trip as material for A Tramp Abroad (1880;).Twain’s reporting style completely overturned conventional travel writing—making it an almost instant success.
- Twain went on a lecture tour around the world to raise money and pay his debts. The resulting book, Following the Equator, was published in 1897.
Twain’s works are considered some of the greatest travel works of the 19th century and are still widely read today. Rare book collectors and travel enthusiasts alike appreciate Twain’s wit and ingenuity.
May 10th, 2012
95 years ago today, the Pulitzer Prize was established to honor exceptional achievements in journalism. Since its inception, the award has grown to include 21 different categories, ranging from literature to musical composition. The prize is named for Joseph Pulitzer, the newspaper journalist who left money to Columbia University to start a journalism school and launch four awards in the field. The first awards were presented on June 4, 1917, but currently Pulitzer Prize winners are announced in April.
There are six categories for letters and drama: Fiction (before 1947, Novel); Drama; History; Biography/Autobiography; Poetry; and General Non-Fiction. Sinc the prize was established, various categories have been added, merged, or removed to reflect changes in journalism and technology; for example, the award for telegraphic reporting has been rendered obsolete.
A Look at Past Pulitzer Prize Winners
Winning a Pulitzer Prize is obviously quite an achievement. Few authors have won multiple awards, but the list repeat winners includes such literary heavyweights as William Faulkner, Norman Mailer, Thornton Wilder, Philip Roth, and John Updike. Both John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway have also won Pulitzer Prizes.
Pulitzer Prize-winning works from the last decade include the following:
- A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan (2011)
- Tinkers, by Paul Harding (2010)
- Olive Kittridge, by Elizabeth Strout (2009)
- The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz (2008)
- The Road, by Cormac McCarthy (2007)
- March, by Geraldine Brooks (2006)
- Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson (2005)
- The Known World, by Edward P Jones (2004)
- Middlesex, by Jeffery Eugenides (2003)
- Empire Falls, by Richard Russo (2002)
Controversies over Pulitzer Prizes
Several times throughout the history of the award, no prize has been given in the fiction category. This occurred in 1977, 1974, 1971, 1964, 1957, and 1954. In 1974, the three-person jury for Fiction actually nominated Thomas Pynchon’s Gravity’s Rainbow for the award, but in an incredibly controversial decision, the committee overturned the nomination and chose to give no award instead.
This year, no award was granted in the category of Fiction, though three finalists were named: Train Dreams (Denis Johnson); Swamplandia! (Karen Russell) and The Pale King (David Foster Wallace). The decision to grant no award sparked considerable controversy among the literary community. Heated debate ensued over what constitutes “great” literature and writing.
What’s your take on this year’s Pulitzer decision? Does one of these books represent a consummate work of American literature?
May 7th, 2012
One of the joys of collecting rare books is that you can focus your collection around just about any theme you’d like: a specific author, a certain time period, or a favorite hobby. One popular way to build a collection is to focus on a single title. This approach can be a great way for novice collectors to begin, since they can choose a favorite title and work around that. It’s also an excellent strategy for more experienced collectors who may want to add greater depth to their rare book collections.
Choosing the Right Title
Not all titles are a great focus for a collection. For instance, more obscure titles might be difficult choices because there may only be one edition, or very few editions, of the book in the first place. On the other side of that, books that have been classics for centuries (think works of Shakespeare or Dickens) might present a single-title collector with an almost endless task: countless editions, illustrators, translations, etc.
Your best bet is to choose a title that’s somewhere in between. Especially if your rare book collection is an investment for the future, you’ll want to select a title that has at least some appeal to other collectors. You may want to focus, for instance, on a lesser known work of a legendary author.
The ideal place to start your single-title collection is actually a bibliography. Before you begin, you’ll want to explore the scope of editions available. Determine whether there’s a definitive biography for the author you’re interested in, such as the Hammond for JRR Tolkien or Contursi for Umberto Eco. If no author-specific bibliography exists, check online catalogues at Worldcat, the Library of Congress, or the British Library.
A bibliography is often the a single-title collector's best resource.
Factors to Consider
As you build your single-title collection, you’ll obviously want to expand your collection beyond merely first editions:
- Think about first editions published in other countries. They’re often different than the one published in your own country, even if the content of the book is exactly the same.
- Look into foreign translations, which may be plentiful. Some books are actually more popular abroad than they are in the author’s own country, resulting in a wide variety of beautiful editions.
- Some titles are published in deluxe or limited editions. They may also be available from a fine press. These editions are often quite beautiful.
- There may be ephemera connected with your book, particularly if there’s a movie tie-in. Other interesting pieces may include letters between author and editor or initial critics’ reviews of the book.
- You may be able to find advance reading copies, galleys, or manuscripts of your title. These items are much more rare than first editions of the books themselves, making them valuable additions to a rare book collection.
May 3rd, 2012
Among our latest acquisitions are several exceptional works by JRR Tolkien. The author has been lionized (and rightfully so) among readers around the world. Though Tolkien was a member of academia himself, his works are often snubbed by experts in the field. His contributions to literature have set him apart as a legendary author and made him a favorite among rare book collectors.
Childhood and Youth
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was the son of Arthur Tolkien and Mabel Suffield Tolkien, and he was known as Ronald among the family. His father, Arthur, was a bank clerk who moved with wife Mabel to South Africa. Ronald and his younger brother Hilary were both born there. When Arthur died of rheumatic fever in 1900, the family relocated to Birmingham with Mabel’s parents.
Mabel died only a few years later, in 1904, leaving her sons essentially destitute. Their priest, Father Francis did his best to oversee their care, placing them first with an aunt, and then at a boardinghouse. Meanwhile, Ronald had already begun to excel in languages and writing. He attended King Edward’s School, and then Exeter.
Soldier, Author, and Professor
When World War I broke out, Tolkien didn’t rush to enlist like most of his peers. He continued with his education, graduating in 1915. He was eventually drafted just in time for the Battle of the Somme. Most of his college friends were killed during battle. Tolkien himself contracted “trench fever” and was sent home to recover.
By the end of the war, Tolkien had already been looking around for a job in academia. He (miraculously) obtained a position at Leeds. While there he collaborated with EV Gordon on the celebrated edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and on Songs for Philologists.
Tolkien later was appointed to a fellowship at Oxford. He was not particularly prolific as a writer of scholarly publications. However, Tolkien was one of the founding members of a group called “The Inklings.” The group met often to drink and discuss writing. The Inklings included many of Tolkien’s prominent contemporaries, most notably CS Lewis. The two would develop a lifelong friendship.
While Tolkien kept company of writers, he’d also begun writing stories himself. He began with stories for his children, many of which were published posthumously. But The Hobbit really launched Tolkien’s career as a writer of fantasy. The story was inspired by one of his students’ examination papers. Written on a blank page was the single sentence “In a hole in a ground there lived a hobbit.” The sentence inspired Tolkien to figure out what a Hobbit was and why it lived in a hole. The novel grew from there and was published in 1937. The entire Lord of the Rings series took about 16 years to finish.
A few events really vaulted The Hobbit to unexpected mainstream success. First, the book received mixed reviews from a number of prominent writers. Next, the BBC condensed the story into 12 episodes and broadcast it on the Third Programme. The resulting book sales made Tolkien wish he’d taken early retirement. Finally, a pirated paperback edition was published in 1965. This edition made the book a possible impulse buy—and the resulting copyright battle brought new awareness of the title throughout the US.
Tolkien remained a prolific author, and his death hardly slowed publication. The breadth of his work includes both academic and literary pieces. Tolkien’s work also transcends literary boundaries, appealing to an incredibly wide audience. His work consistently draws interest among rare book collectors. For a definitive guide to all of Tolkien’s works, look to the Hammond bibliography.
May 1st, 2012
Tomorrow is the birthday of Pulitzer Prize winning author Harper Lee. The reclusive author of To Kill a Mockingbird will be 86 years old. Though Lee published only one novel, this single book proved one of the seminal works of the twentieth century—and one of the most controversial.
To Kill a Mockingbird addresses race, prejudice, and class differences through the eyes of a young girl. Since the novel’s publication, it has been challenged in schools and libraries across the country. Once called a “filthy, trashy novel” by detractors in the Vernon Verona Sherill, NY School District (1980), To Kill a Mockingbird also remains a cornerstone of many English and Language Arts curricula all over the nation.
Lee is hardly the first great author to incite the ire of would-be censors. Indeed, most legendary authors of the 20th century have sparked controversy…and not only in the United States.
- JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye has long been a favorite target for censorship. One English teacher was even fired for teaching the book. Usual complaints include profanity and adult themes.
- Both The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck have garnered challenges and bans. In 1973 eleven Turkish booksellers actually stood trial for possessing copies of The Grapes of Wrath.
- As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner has been temporarily banned in several school districts, but the decision has always been overturned—once after the ACLU got involved.
- For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway was declared unmailable by the US Post Office in 1940. Meanwhile A Sun Also Rises was banned in several countries and burned in Nazi bonfires.
- Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five has been banned for a variety of reasons, from explicit language to negative portrayals of women. One school district even had the book reviewed by top law enforcement agents.
- JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was burned outside a church in New Mexico, along with other books in the series. Church leaders declared the work satanic.
- Ireland’s Board of Censors declared Rabbit Run by John Updike “obscene” and “indecent.” It was banned from sales throughout Ireland until 1967, when new censorship legislation was introduced.
- Ulysses by James Joyce was burned in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and England. The book was produced and distributed only in bootleg fashion in the US until 1932.
April 27th, 2012
You may have noted quite a bit of chatter about the Bard this week, and with good reason. Monday, April 23 marked the anniversary of his death, and on this day in 1564 William Shakespeare was baptized. In Shakespeare’s 52 years, he authored some 38 plays, over 150 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and many other shorter pieces. He is often lauded as the world’s preeminent writer in the English language.
Shakespeare’s Rise to Fame
Though Shakespeare was certainly respected as a playwright in his own time, it wasn’t until the 1800’s that he gained celebrity status. During the Romantic and Victorian eras, authors exalted Shakespeare so unabashedly that George Bernard Shaw coined the derisive term “bardolatry” to describe their unabashed worship of Shakespeare. Thomas Carlyle’s enthusiastic praise of Shakespeare perhaps best embodies the sentiments of his era:
This King Shakespeare does he not shine, in crowned sovereignty, over us all, as the noblest, gentlest, yet strongest of rallying-signs; indestructible; really more valuable in that point of view than any other means or appliance whatsoever? We can fancy him as radiant aloft over all Nations of Englishmen, thousand years hence. From Paramatta, from New York, wheresoever, under what sort of Parish-Constable soever, English men and women are, they will say to one another, ‘Yes, this Shakespeare is ours; we produced him, we speak and think by him; we are of one blood and kind with him. (The Hero as Poet, 1841).
The variety and ingenuity of Shakespeare’s works have certainly given authors plenty of material for inspiration. From novels and poetry to operas and movies, countless works pay homage to Shakespeare in some way. A partial list of works influenced by Shakespeare:
People often assume that the title of The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov is an allusion to Shakespeare, but it was really inspired by the words of\ Arthur Schiller.
Undoubtedly Shakespeare will continue to influence and inspire authors for generations to come. What was your first experience with Shakespeare? Which of his works is your favorite?
April 26th, 2012
In the US, Mother’s Day is just around the corner: the second Sunday in May. Shopping for Mom can be tough! She may say she doesn’t want a gift, or she may ask for utilitarian gifts that aren’t items she’ll really enjoy. But you really want to give a Mother’s Day gift that’s both meaningful and thoughtful. A few strategies for selecting the perfect gift can make the process easier.
Evoke the Joys and Memories of Motherhood
Motherhood is an incredible vocation; mothers form deep and magical connections with their children that lasts a lifetime. The right Mother’s Day gift can evoke those special moments shared with young children. For many moms, reading books with their kids represents a special ritual. A first or special edition of a beloved children’s book will evoke these fond memories. It can also become a special family heirloom, passed down to mothers from generation to generation.
Celebrate Her Hobbies and Interests
Mothers often put themselves last, pushing aside their own hobbies, interests, and passions to devote themselves to their children. Let her know that you haven’t forgotten her life beyond motherhood, and encourage her to explore it. If she’s into gardening, let images of famous gardens inspire her. From golf to cooking, books about Mom’s favorite interest are a great way to show your support as she explores these activities.
Share Inspiration from Famous Women
Throughout history, women have inspired and challenged us to greatness. Their stories give us a glimpse into different eras and cultures. Famous women like Joan of Arc, Jackie Kennedy, and Maya Angelou are all revolutionary figures in their own way—and they all represent different facets of femininity. Meanwhile, numerous female authors have broken new ground as novelists and poets, enriching our literature immeasurably. Share these stories for Mother’s Day.
Explore Books as Beautiful Objects
The best books are so much more than what they’re “about.” They are beautiful objects in their own right. The books of Charles Van Sandwyk, for instance, are works of art. Every page is magnificently illustrated. And fine press books like the ones from Heavenly Monkey elevate book production to an art form. For Mother’s Day, consider a book that is truly extraordinary.
April 19th, 2012
Can you guess which of these editions is worth more?
It’s about that time: Tax day has arrived, and US citizens owe the Internal Revenue Service an account of all their assets and income. What better day to explore how we assess the value of our rare books? If you’ve recently purchased a book, you may have a pretty firm grasp of what it’s worth. But several factors can impact your book’s value.
Condition
In general the better the condition of your book, the more it’s probably worth. The condition of the binding, cover dust jacket, and other physical parts of the book matter immensely. For example, two first edition/first printings of For Your Eyes Only have very different values. The first, in Fine condition, is valued at $6,600. The other is in Near Fine condition, with a few minor bumps to the spine and chips to the dust jacket. It’s valued at $1,590.
However, that doesn’t mean that restoring a book will always increase its value. Talk to a qualified professional about conservation, preservation, and restoration options if your books are in less-than-pristine condition. You’ll also want to set up and maintain your home library appropriately, to maintain your rare books’ condition.
Scarcity and Desirability
A book doesn’t gain value simply because few copies exist. It gains value because few copies exist—and many people want to own the title. After all, many books are scarce due to lack of interest at the time of printing….and never gained popularity among collectors.
So which rare books are desirable? That all depends. Some authors and works have remained perennial favorites among collectors. Others may be trendy for a while, only to drop back into obscurity and lose value later; even legendary authors can go through cycles of popularity.
Other Considerations
A host of other characteristics can affect a book’s value to varying degrees:
- Signatures and inscriptions: A signature from the author can increase a book’s value, as can a personal message to someone close to the author. Not all signatures are created equal, however, so you’ll want to learn more about how signatures and inscriptions impact a book’s value.
- Previous ownership: Association copies are copies of a book owned by someone with a relationship to the author/illustrator. These books are often, but not always, inscribed.
- Completeness: Sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and this is certainly true for rare book collections. Individual books from a series are often worth little on their own, for example. One exception: extremely rare old issues of magazines or newspapers.
If you have questions about the price or value of a rare book in your collection, you’ll want to talk to a trustworthy appraiser.
April 17th, 2012
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