Alfred Nobel's Gift to the World

On this day in 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament. The four-page document contained less than a page explaining the prize that would bear his name. A scientist, writer, and political activist, Nobel sought to encourage exceptional work in several fields: physics, medicine, chemistry, peace, and literature.

     
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Bookish Holiday Gift Guide

By Kristin Masters. Nov 22, 2012. 3:01 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Rare Book Gift Ideas

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! While today means turkey and stuffing, tomorrow means the biggest shopping day of the year. If you'd rather skip the Black Friday mayhem, find the perfect literary gift for everyone on your list--without even leaving the house. Here's a look at some favorite books that make exceptional holiday gifts.

     
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John Gardner: Third Bearer of the James Bond Torch

By Kristin Masters. Nov 19, 2012. 9:22 PM.

Topics: Book Collecting, James Bond, Movie Tie-Ins

Today marks the birthday of John Gardner, the British author who succeeded Kingsley Amis as the bearer of Ian Fleming's James Bond legacy. Before his writing career, Gardner was a commando, an Anglican priest, and a theatrical journalist.

     
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Louise Erdrich, Katherine Boo among National Book Award Winners

By Kristin Masters. Nov 14, 2012. 6:21 PM.

Topics: Awarded Books, Literature

On Wednesday night the winners of the 2012 National Book Awards were announced at Cipriani's ballroom in New York City. The awards, presented by the National Book Foundation, rank alongside the Pulizter in prestige.

     
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Should You Invest in Rare Books?

This article from the Wall Street Journal on book collecting is excellent. It details some ideas for getting additional benefits from your collection beyond just a possible financial return. Below are some points to help you answer questions such as 'should I invest in rare books?' and 'what's the best way to do so?' We hope you find these insights helpful.      
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Happy Birthday, Hilary!

On November 1, 1926, author and illustrator Hilary Knight was born. Best known for illustrating the beloved protagonist of Kay Thompson's Eloise (1955), Knight has worked in a wide variety of genres over the course of his career. He has illustrated over 50 books and authored nine.

     
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About this blog

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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