The LuEsther T. Mertz Library of The New York Botanical Garden houses one of the greatest collections of botanical and horticultural works on the planet. Eight centuries of rare books, stunning botanical artworks, illustrated manuscripts, medieval herbals, exquisite garden prints and flower books, nursery catalogs, explorers’ notebooks, and more are contained within. First printed illustration of Anthrium gladifolium. Colored lithograph based on W. Liepoldt, 1879 American Bog Plants. Aquatint with additional hand coloring by Thomas Sutherland from Robert Thornton's Temple of Flora, 1807 To commemorate the treasures contained in the library an exhibition Flora Illustrata is underway featuring more than 50 books and objects...
A Five Book Birthday Salute to D.H. Lawrence
Hailed as a genius by some, labelled an out-of-fashion misogynist by others, he's probably best known for his novels Sons and Lovers and Lady Chatterley's Lover. But he also explored an extraordinary range of emotions and subject matter and was a prolific short story writer, poet, playwright, essayist, translator, painter and man of letters. Happy Birthday to D.H Lawrence, easily one of the most controversial writers of the 20th century. His "works, among other things, represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanizing effects of modernity and industrialization. In them, some of the issues Lawrence explores are emotional health, vitality, spontaneity and instinct." source ...
Of Interest: The Scribe, Etiquette for Freedom, Cocktails for Book Lovers, and some worthy bookseller catalogs
Still looking for some late summer reads and acquisitions? Here are some recent books and bookseller catalogs that have struck our fancy. The Scribe by Antonio Garrido. Translated by Simon Bruni. Really enjoyed this one. Though I am not much of an historical fiction reader this one caught me and kept me in. We're talking 8th century and a time where woman had about as much status as an animal. We follow Theresa a women who thanks to her dad, defies all convention. She's literate, educated and adept at the craft of making parchment. These skills make for a very interesting journey...
Book Fair with Grunge and more…
This weekend the annual Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair takes center stage. Nearly 100 booksellers from far and wide converge on the Seattle Center to showcase their stuff. Don't let the name antiquarian fool you - the fair will be packed with all sorts of printed goodies at all sorts of price points. The fair is a must for any book enthusiast so don't let the terminology scare you away. Here's some highlights. Division Leap from Portland is bringing an archive of Seattle fanzines that documents essentially the history of the Seattle punk scene which also includes possibly the very first...
Easter with Yeats
Easter, 1916. by W.B. Yeats. 4to, original bright green printed wrappers. Easter, 1916, the first publication of one of Yeats’ greatest poems, and the rarest of all of the poet’s publications.The Easter Rising and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic began on Monday, April 24, and lasted until April 30, 1916.Of the uprising Yeats wrote: The Dublin tragedy has been a great sorrow and anxiety. . . . I have little doubt there have been many miscarriages of justice. . . I had no idea that any public event could so deeply move me – and I am very despondent about the...