Archive for May, 2011
We just celebrated Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day isn’t far behind. Since 1910, Father’s Day has been celebrated on the third Sunday in June throughout the United States. It was recognized as an official holiday in 1972.
Now is the time to choose the perfect gift for dear old dad. Whether your father is more like Atticus Finch or TS Garp, a well chosen book could be just the present you’re looking for.
Books about Hobbies
Books about hobbies often make excellent gifts. And don’t just stop with the “how-to” books. Consider memoirs or biographies of people involved in the same hobby.
- Fishing is both an art and a sport. From Compleat Angler to famous bass fishing lore, fishing offers plenty of captivating reads for anyone who loves the rod and reel.
- Anyone looking to improve his golf swing will find plenty of guides from the pros. Icons like Tom Watson, John Daly, Greg Norman, and Arnold Palmer have all contributed to golf literature.
- If your father is a shutterbug, then books about art and photography are a natural choice. Look for collections that capture a favorite city or region.
- Avid readers may appreciate a work of fiction by a favorite author.
Books about Dad’s Favorite Subjects
Books are truly passports to lifelong learning. Help your father delve into his favorite subjects.
- History buffs will appreciate books about presidents or about significant events such as the lunar landing.Â
- Both amateur and professional scientists enjoy books about various branches of the field, from astronomy to zoology.
- Pop culture aficionados will like books that tie in with movies, such as Ian Fleming’s James Bond books .
Regardless of your father’s interests, rare books are an ideal gift. For more Father’s Day gift ideas, peruse our signed books or key categories for discerning collectors.
May 25th, 2011
Few activities offer the sport and serenity of fishing. That unlikely combination has made fishing a popular pastime for people of all ages and backgrounds. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Herbert Hoover did it. So did literary giant Ernest Hemingway.
Fly fishing elevates this rather humble sport to a true art form. A fly fisherman must develop a rhythm and style for his cast, and then practice unending patience. That’s why Izaac Walton called fly fishing “The Contemplative Man’s Recreation.”
Fly Fishing Factoids
Fishing has long been a means of sustenance, but it has also grown into a competitive sport and a relaxing pastime. Here are a few little-known facts about fly fishing.
- Roman Claudius Aelianus was the first to record fishing with an artificial fly. That was toward the end of 200 AD.
- Shakespeare was a fly fisherman. His fishing companion, John Dennys, wrote six verses on angling that Izaac Walton later quoted in The Compleat Angler.
- The Compleat Angler is the second most reprinted book in the world, after the Bible.
- Charles F. Orvis, an American fly fisherman, crafted the first modern fly reel. Reel historian Jim Brown called Orvis’ design “the benchmark of American reel design.”
- Brown trout were originally exported to Australia in 1864–solely for the purpose of giving young men access to a “manly sport” that would keep them from seeking entertainment in casinos and bars.
- Early fly rods were made of greenheart wood. Eventually bamboo replaced greenheart, but fiberglass replaced wood in the 1950’s. Similarly, flies once made of fur and other natural materials are now generally made of synthetics.
If you love to fish, what is your favorite part of the sport?
Further Reading:
The American Museum of Fly Fishing
May 18th, 2011
This week we introduce Sean E. Richards, of Byzantium Studios, Limited. Sean is a true craftsman who specializes in book restoration and conservation. He combines modern conservation methods with traditional techniques to deliver superior results.
Q: What sparked your love of rare books and book binding?
A: I grew up accompanying my parents on weekend “antiquing” trips. One Saturday I uncovered a 1790 copy of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. That same week, I received a catalog of rare books thanks to a mistake at the post office. From then on, I was hooked. I spent my days conducting “book autopsies,” taking apart books to see how they were assembled.
Q: Tell us a little about one of you favorite projects.
A: The University of Oklahoma invited me to restore a 1610 copy of Galileo Galilei’s Sidereus nuncius—signed by Galileo himself! The library shied away from discussing the books cost, classifying it only as “irreplaceable.” But it has since been valued at over $2 million. I worked on the book at a makeshift workshop in the library, over about two weeks. Even though I was confident in the quality and precision of my work, the project was extremely challenging and gained a lot of attention. It was invigorating to complete a project of such magnitude.
Q: When should a collector consider rebinding or restoring a book?
A: First it’s important to think about the potential value of the book. A $50 book probably doesn’t merit extensive restoration, since repairing the book probably won’t add significant value—or any at all. The exception is if the book has personal value.
Ultimately, restoring a book often enhances its value, makes it more usable, and ensures that you’ll be able to pass it down to future generations if desired. If any of these is a concern, then restoring or rebinding the book is the best choice.
Q: How does restoring or rebinding affect a book’s value?
A: That depends on the quality of the restoration or rebinding. A cheap library binding will most certainly decrease the value of a book. On the other hand, if the binding is totally missing, then replacing it with one close to the original will naturally add to the book’s value. A first-rate book preservationist can create an authentic looking replica binding and provide a record of all work done.
Q: What should rare book collectors look for when choosing someone to restore their books?
A: Book restoration really is an art form. Look for someone who can provide samples of work and references—after all, this person will be handling some of your most cherished investments. Ask about the materials and tools to be used. And remember that an exceptional restoration may cost more than the relative value of the book. But a first-rate job will more than pay for itself in the long run.
If you have other questions about book binding, preservation, or conservation, Sean welcomes your inquiries. Contact him via his website.
May 11th, 2011
It all began in 1769. John Granger published his Biographical History of England—without pictures. He did, however, include extra leaves in the book so that people could add their own illustrations. His readers took that cue, often pillaging other books for portraits to accompany the thumbnail biographies in Granger’s book.
Extra Illustration Gains Popularity
Over time, the practice expanded to other titles and came to be called “grangerization.” Books that have been grangerized may also be described as “extra illustrated.” Shakespeare’s works were commonly grangerized; people would add playbills, portraits of the actors or characters, or illustrated scenes from the plays.
The Bible is also a commonly grangerized book; owners may add family names, certificates of baptism, and other memorabilia. One famously grangerized Bible was originally three octavo volumes. After the addition of over 30,000 extra illustrations, the finished product was a whopping sixty folio volumes. The Bible now belongs to the Huntington Library collection.
Grangerized Books and Collecting
The act of extra illustration has drawn fire since its beginnings. While proponents defended it as “exquisite handicraft,” detractors argued that it was “breaking up a good book to make a worse one.”
At any rate, grangerizing has produced some incredibly artistic works. Rare book collectors have found extraordinary volumes that contain everything from variant title pages, watercolors, and etchings, to original drawings, manuscript pages, and mezzotints.
If you encounter a grangerized book, it’s important to consider a few factors. First is the quality of the original book—is it a fine volume or a cheap paperback? Next consider the extra illustrations, which may be rare and valuable unto themselves. Finally—and perhaps most importantly—consider your personal interest in the work and the extra illustrations.
Have you added any grangerized books to your collection? Where did you find them, and what is the most interesting extra illustration you’ve discovered?
Further Reading:
The New Yorker
Related Posts:
Book Collecting Basics: Can I Read My Rare Book?
Printmaking Processes: Screenprinting
May 4th, 2011
Today kicks off Children’s Book Week! Since 1919, the event has been celebrated across the country in schools, libraries, bookstores, and everywhere else children can discover a love of reading. As adult readers, we remember those children’s books that were truly magical.
Here’s a list of our five favorite children’s authors.
- Dr. Seuss: This master of tongue twisters wrote and illustrated countless children’s classics. Dr. Seuss is undoubtedly the best known and most well loved children’s author of the modern age.
- Shel Silverstein: The Giving Tree captures hearts generation after generation, and Silverstein composed hilarious poetry that tickles the funny bone in readers of all ages.
- Beatrix Potter: The tales of Peter Rabbit, Mr. Toad, and friends pair delicate illustrations with whimsical stories. Potter was a prolific author, leaving us with over 20 classic tales.
- AA Milne: Who can forget Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, and the Hundred Acre Wood? The works of AA Milne always inspire our imagination.
- Cornelia Funke: Funke writes for children of all ages, with both picture books and young adult novels to her name. Her ability to captivate us with fantasy truly sets her apart.
We’re also quite fond of authors who have earned Caldecott Medals, Newbery Medals, or Coretta Scott King Awards for their works. Whom would you add to this list?
Further Reading:
Book Week Online
Every Child a Reader
Related Posts:
Help Us Celebrate National Poetry Month!
May 2nd, 2011
