(Artist Unknown). A View of Monsr. Garnerin’s Balloon and Parachute. Hand-Colored Engraving, c. 1802. Lot 313Yesterday’s drama involving an escaped, untethered balloon and the possibility that a child may have been aboard reminds us of the challenges and dangers of balloon flight and the role of ballooning in the history of aeronautics.On Wednesday October 28, 2009, Doyles - New York will be auctioning the aeronautical collection of William G. Gerhard (1905-1975), who spent sixty years assembling a remarkable collection of material relating to early aviation, including stunning engravings.Below, a few highlights.W. Gauci, Representation of the Balloon Immediately Proceeding its Ascension...
“How To Make $100,000 or More Each Year As a Used, Rare and Out of Print Book Dealer!”
“The Easiest Business That Really Makes Money on the Internet!”Veteran rare and out of print book dealers who have struggled for decades trying to make their monthly nut, acquire new stock, sell books and earn a profit will be dumbfounded to learn that we’ve been doing it all wrong yet deeply thankful that salvation is at hand.But, aside from an annual income that 95% of rare, used and out of print book dealers can only dream about, a civilian may ask: What are the big advantages to entering this exciting, fast-paced and glamorous trade that the glitterati would just die...
New Trend At Book Signings: Punch the Author
British pop diva Leona Lewis was slapped upside the head while signing copies of her autobiography, Dreams, at a London book shop today.According to an eyewitness at Waterstones' Piccadilly branch,"[the attacker] walked up there with the book, she signed it and, as she looked up, he just punched her. She was running out with her hand over her eye."A statement on the singer’s website declares that “Leona is understandably shaken and apologises to the fans she was unable to meet and complete signings.”PEN has yet to issue a statement but I imagine it will read something along these lines: PEN...
An O. Henry Story Loaded With Morphine
“The drug clerk looks sharply at the white face half concealed by the high-turned overcoat collar."’I would rather not supply you,’ he said doubtfully. ‘I sold you a dozen morphine tablets less than an hour ago.’“The customer smiles wanly. ‘The fault is in your crooked streets. I didn't intend to call upon you twice, but I guess I got tangled up. Excuse me."Thus begins Fog in Santone by American short story master O. Henry (1862-1910). Those who know O. Henry only as the author of the classic tale of loving sacrifice, The Gift of the Magi, with its typically O.Henry...
The Miracle of the Two-Week Rare Book: A Nancy Drew Mystery
We rare book collectors and dealers have, apparently, been asleep. While we’ve been aslumber, the meaning of “rare” has undergone a radical transformation guaranteed to startle us to wide-eyed wakefulness.“RARE NANCY DREW APPLEWOOD THE MESSAGE IN THE HOLLOW OAK Item #200366792295. FROM A SMOKE AND PET-FREE HOME, THIS IS A FIRST OR SECOND EDITION!!! HOLLOW OAK IS A RARITY- I DID NOT FIND 1 ON EBAY INCLUDING COMPLETED AUCTIONS!!!"Once upon a time, Ebay provided auction records for the prior three months. Far from a reliable indicator of rarity at that short interval, not too long ago the time frame was...