In 1953, a paperback book, The Inside Story of Narcotics, was issued by religious publishing house, Zondervan. Released at the height of hysteria about a national epidemic of teen-aged junkies that did not exist, it was written by one Jim Vaus."Every trade has a technical language. Even Christians have a language of their own. They speak of being 'saved,' of a 'Christian worker,' or of 'putting out fleece.' The person not used to their jargon doesn't understand what the Christians are talking about. Addicts, too, have a language of their own, language which must be understood if this book is...
"I Am A Seller of Used Ideas"
A mock invitation card to the 1970 Oz obscenity trial over the'Schoolkids Issue'with a note on the back from Richard Neville,one of the co-editors,saying that he was on his way to court.The Judge said that his co-accused Felix Denniswas too thick to warrant a long custodial sentence.Carl Williams, who heads up the Counterculture division of Maggs Bros. modern department, has curated an eclectic spread of over a hundred posters, illustrations, propaganda pamphlets for Maggs Gallery’s current exhibit, Please Do Not Bend.He recently sat down with Daven Wu of The Sixties for an interview about the exhibition and his job, which...
2009 Designer Bookbinders Competition Winner Announced
Glenn Malkin has been awarded a coveted prize in the 2009 Designer Bookbinders competition.His binding of the competition's set book, Le Grand Meaulnes, is a full lacunose design in mixed goatskin leather with onlays and blind tooling. Inside, there are full leather doublures and suede endpapers. Headbands are hand sewn in silk and the book block is decorated at the edges in acrylics. The book is presented in a custom-made drop-back box with suede lining.The competition is held annually by the Designer Bookbinders society, which noted in its citation, "This book design represents the physical and emotional journey made by...
Charles Dickens’ Deluxe Dental Tool Is Top Pick at Bonham’s
Charles Dickens' Deluxe Dental Hygiene Solution Charles Dickens' toothpick sold at Bonham's-NY yesterday for $9,150, including the buyer's premium. The pre-sale estimate for the pick of the litterateur was $3000-$5000.Exhibited at Chapin Library, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, and at the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, in the Spring of 1970, the toothpick was sent to auction by its owners, the family collection of Barnes & Noble.Bonham's catalog description noted: "Dickens' toothpick, manufactured by Sampson Mordan & Co. of London, ivory and gold with retracting mechanism, 60 mm long when closed, engraved with Dickens' initials, manufacturer's and inventor's names, together with...
Used and Rare Book Shop Anchors Downtown Trenton Revival
Eric Maywar of Classic Book Shop in downtown Trenton, NJ.Reversing the trend of book shop closings in general and in downtown urban districts in particular that Book Patrol has been following, the Classic Book Shop, on Warren Street in downtown Trenton, NJ, is playing an important role in the area’s renaissance.Classic owner, Eric Maywar, who owned another book shop in a nearby town, was approached by the Trenton Downtown Association with the idea.It was something of a leap of faith to make the move. When he arrived four years ago there were still buildings across the street that were not...