ABC’s of Book Collecting: Autograph
Portrait of Edgar Allan Poe by Clark Ashton Smith, circa 1915with Poe autograph facsimileAUTOGRAPHIn our world it is an adjective (and is better not used as a noun). It is properly applied to a manuscript, a letter or a document, either in the hand of, and preferably signed by, the author of one’s choice, or on the subject of one’s choice; or annotations in books, whether signed or not. Descriptions of the former are commonly buttressed with abbreviations, for which see the list of abbreviations above. It is as well to remember that without the essential preliminary ‘A’, ‘L.s’ must...
‘Patience’ Unfolding
Book and paper artist Randi Parkhurst looks to the Russian Matryoshka, or nesting doll for inspiration in her recent piece Patience.Patience is comprised of 18 books ranging in size from 7" x 9" to a mini 1/2" x 1/2" and all feature handmade paper by the artist. "Unlike a book with words telling a story, my books tell a story by enticing the viewer to open and explore them. Their rich papers are textured and there are little books nestled inside cubbyholes to pull out and open. My books' 'stories' are about the journey and the surprises along the way."In...
Rachel Maddow and Seth Myers join READ campaign
The American Library Association has announced the latest additions to its Celebrity READ poster campaign.Progressive talk show host Rachel Maddow and Saturday Night Live star Seth Myers are the latest big names to be posterized.The posters, which go for $16 a piece, help fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide while promoting libraries, literacy, lifelong learning, and reading.Maddow and Meyers join a long list of library and reading friendly celebrities and athletes who support the READ campaign. From Yo Ming to Yoda, Bill Gates to Ice Cube, and Tony Hawk to Rachael Ray,the READ poster campaign has...
The End of the Floating Bookshop
Since 1978 the Doulos has been carrying affordable books to ports throughout the world. It has sailed to 106 countries and has welcomed 21 million visitors. Their tagline is 'Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope'. It was completely staffed by volunteers, hailing from over 40 countries.Build two years after the Titanic the Doulos is the world's oldest ocean-going passenger ship. It is owned and operated by a German charitable trust named Gute Bücher für Alle e.V.; which translates to 'Good Books for All'. Its bookshop carries upwards of 5,000 books with hundreds of thousands more in its hold.On December 30th, 2009...