Top Five Rivalries of Legendary Authors

By Kristin Masters. Jul 26, 2012. 3:42 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Literature

We all have our favorite--and not-so-favorite authors. The same goes for writers themselves, and through the years many bitter rivalries have sprung up between legendary authors. A look at some of the most famous:

     
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Famous Authors and Their Typewriters

By Kristin Masters. Jul 23, 2012. 1:51 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Mark Twain, James Bond

On July 23, 1829 William Austin Burt filed for US patent No. 5581X. He called his invention the “typographer,” but today we’d refer to it as a typewriter. While others had designed similar machines, Burt’s was the first of its kind in the United States—and the first model that was actually practical for use. The device eventually changed the way authors worked, and some contemporary authors still prefer their trusty typewriters to computers.

     
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Happy Birthday, Cormac McCarthy!

By Kristin Masters. Jul 20, 2012. 2:48 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Rare Books, Book Collecting

He refuses to use semicolons and loves movies by the Coen brothers. Award winning novelist and playwright Cormac McCarthy turns 79 today.      
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Literature's Unluckiest Characters

By Kristin Masters. Jul 13, 2012. 3:14 AM.

Topics: Literature

Today is Friday the 13th, a day long help to be inauspicious. The superstition began with a fear of the number 13 and is ages old; even the ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (1700 BC) omits 13 in its list of numbered laws.However, we can thank a book for the association with Friday.

     
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Celebrating America's Founding Fathers

By Kristin Masters. Jul 4, 2012. 4:37 AM.

Topics: American History, Rare Books, Book Collecting

Happy Independence Day! In the United States, today marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The event precipitated the American Revolution, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. Here’'s a look at some little-known facts about America'’s founding fathers:

     
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Happy Birthday, JK Rowling!

By Kristin Masters. Jul 3, 2012. 2:10 AM.

Topics: Book Collecting, Children's Books

Today we celebrate the birthday of JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series. Her books have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide, making them the top-selling book series in all of history. Rowling’s “rags to riches” story is a truly inspiring one.
     
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Should You Ditch the White Gloves for Handling Rare Books?

We rare book collectors have all seen it: a dealer, librarian, or other expert dons a spotless pair of white gloves before laying a single finger on some priceless volume. The practice is especially common in special collections libraries, where white gloves are considered an integral part of protecting antiquarian books. Should collectors follow suit and use the gloves for handling antiquarian books in their personal libraries?

     
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How can I identify a first edition? Where do I learn about caring for books? How should I start collecting? Hear from librarians about amazing collections, learn about historic bindings or printing techniques, get to know other collectors. Whether you are just starting or looking for expert advice, chances are, you'll find something of interest on blogis librorum.

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