Over the years, book conservators have used a wide variety of techniques for preserving, conserving, and repairing rare books. Some of these techniques are more effective than others; indeed, many practices that were commonplace in centuries past actually damaged rare books, rather than protecting them. Contemporary conservators often find themselves having to undo the work of their well-meaning predecessors.
It's James Bond Day, marking 50 years of Bond movies in the cinema. Since the debut of Dr. No on this day in 1962, Special Agent 007 has become an icon of popular culture. The latest James Bond movie, Skyfall, premiers on October 26 in the UK and on November 9 in the United States.
October 4th marks the birthday of prolific American author Anne Rice. It seems fitting that this queen of gothic fiction should be born in the same month as Halloween, but Rice has written much more than merely horror. Her oeuvres range from Christian literature to erotica. She often addresses the metaphysical, weaving stories that both challenge and entertain.
Yesterday kicked off the 30th annual Banned Books Week, an event that celebrates our freedom to read. Sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), along with other industry organizations, Banned Books Week is an excellent opportunity to celebrate some of Americas most beloved and exceptional literature.
This week Philip Pullman's Grimm Tales: For Young and Old hits the shelves. The tome includes 50 what Pullman considers the "cream of the crop" of Grimm's Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children's and Household Tales), along with a brief history and commentary by Pullman.
Since the beginning of time, adults have entertained children with stories and fables. From these folktales developed an elaborate tapestry of children's literature. Today children's literature encompasses multiple genres and appeals to readers of every age. Let's take a look at a brief history of children's literature.
When he first published The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien could not have predicted that his tales would not only revolutionize the genres of sci-fi and fantasy, but also transform the world of literature. Indeed, his works have transfixed generations and inspired a series of visually stunning motion pictures.
The character of James Bond has fascinated and entertained generations, and many of our favorite 007 tales come not from Ian Fleming, but from his successor. John Gardner was both ambitious and talented enough to take up Fleming's mantle. Over the course of his authorial career, Gardner would write 14 original James Bond novels and compose the novel versions of two James Bond movies.
Few authors have captured the zeitgeist of twentieth-century America as John Steinbeck did. This legendary author built a name for himself with his depictions of rural California, the Dust Bowl, and the Great Depression. But his wide interests--from marine biology to history--resulted in an incredibly rich literary legacy.
Many collectors build their libraries around a specific genre, author, or even titles. But in the world of rare books, books are often collectible for more than merely their content; they are beautiful objects of art in their own right. From decorative bindings and illuminated manuscripts, to intricate etchings and hand painted illustrations, the art and craft of books can be truly breathtaking.
