Charles Dickens, Father of Modern Christmas

By Kristin Masters. Dec 25, 2012. 1:50 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Charles Dickens

Today families around the world gathered around a Christmas tree to open gifts. This tradition seems as old as the holiday itself, but in reality these practices—and many others—are relatively new inventions. And Charles Dickens can be credited with introducing or popularizing some of our favorite elements of the Christmas holiday

     
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Who's Who: Rare Book Collecting Edition

So Thomas Jefferson, Johnny Depp, and Yoko Ono walk into a book fair...

Have a punchline? Suggest it in the "Comments" section below. But what do all these people have in common? They're all noted rare book collectors. That's right: this pastime isn't just for bookworms and librarians! Here's a look at some of the most famous collectors of rare books.      
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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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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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Philip Pullman in Pictures

By Kristin Masters. Oct 19, 2012. 4:12 AM.

Topics: Legendary Authors, Rare Books, Book Collecting

Today we celebrate the birthday of Philip Pullman, whose children's stories and fantasy novels have enchanted readers of all ages. Born on this day in 1946, Pullman has distinguished himself as one of Britain's leading modern authors and illustrator. What better way to commemorate the anniversary of his birth than with a look at his pictures?

     
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Philip Pullman Rekindles the Fairy Tale

By Kristin Masters. Sep 25, 2012. 7:35 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Book Collecting, Children's Books

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.

     
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Protecting Your Rare Books: Maintaining the Right Environmental Conditions

Regardless of where you live, maintaining the ideal environmental conditions in your personal library presents specific challenges. Conservation of rare books requires keeping your library at a certain temperature and humidity.

     
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A Quick Guide to Collecting Limited Editions

For rare book collectors, limited editions are often charming and interesting additions to collections.  They generally differ from first editions not only because they are printed in purposely small numbers; limited editions are often published on higher quality paper, with more luxurious bindings.      
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Celebrating Culinary Legend Julia Child

By Kristin Masters. Aug 15, 2012. 5:43 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Rare Book Gift Ideas

Basketball player, copywriter, spy, legendary chef: Julia Child would be 100 years old today, and we’re still indebted to her legacy of greatness. Child was a pioneer in the culinary world, making high cuisine accessible to a wide audience. Child’s cookbooks continue to be popular among both cooking enthusiasts and rare book collectors alike.

     
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When Mistakes Are Worth Money: Errata in Rare Books

By Kristin Masters. Aug 14, 2012. 4:25 AM.

Topics: Rare Books, Book Collecting, Modern First Editions

In most industries, mistakes cost money--—sometimes lots of money. In the world of rare books, however, mistakes can impact a book'’s value in a quite a different way. Called errata, mistakes made in books may include spelling errors, word omissions, or the use of a different word in place of the intended one.

     
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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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