"And when the underwear was worn out, it provided a steady supply of material used by papermakers to make books."That's the word out of the recently held International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds in Northern England.Marco Mostert, of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, who is was one of the conference organizers goes on to say:The development of literacy was certainly helped by the introduction of paper, which was made from rags...These rags came from discarded clothes, which cost much less than the very expensive parchment which was previously used for books. In the 13th century, so it is...
Fine Presses and the Bookseller
That is the title of the article I wrote for the new issue of Amphora the publication of the Alcuin Society.For those unfamiliar with the Alcuin Society it is a "voluntary association of people who care about the past, present and future of fine books" based in Vancouver, British Columbia whose two main goals "are to promote a wider appreciation of books and reading and to support excellence in book design and production."Hard not to support that.This particular issue is also the inaugural issue in what will be an ongoing series featuring original wood engravings. This issue features artist Jim...
Potterpalooza
The University Bookstore here in Seattle launched its contribution to Pottermania. A week long tribute to the upcoming release of HP7.The festivities include a full slate of WizRockStock Concerts where "Hogwarts disciples have created their own genre of indie rock to ease the stress of battling magical and social corruption, and promote literacy," featuring bands like the The Remus Lupins, The Parselmouths, The Weird Sisters, Firenze and the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest and Harry and the Potters.There will be events like these going on in every nook and cranny of this country. The good part is that this is...
The Heritage Effect. The Book Trade Waits
It has been a long time since a funeral was held at 8540 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. It used to be the home of the Cunningham & O'Connor Mortuary. It was where services were held for such Hollywood legends as Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby and Spencer Tracy.Tomorrow something else is being laid to rest. The legendary Heritage Book Shop. After 44 years in the book business, the last 25 of which were at the old funeral home on Melrose, Ben and Lou Weinstein are cashing out.It doesn't matter if the closure is related to Lou getting tired...
Before Harry Potter It Was Little Nell
If you are looking for a little perspective on the Potter keg that is going to explode on July 21st when the last book in the series is released have a look at Lenore Skenazy's piece in the New York Sun, "For Harry Potter Fans, Time to Enjoy Unkown."She does a nice job of putting the phenomenon in historical context.Here are a few Potter puffs:-It is the most successful series in the history of publishing.-The forthcoming finale Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has the largest first printing in publishing history.- A first edition of the first Potter book sold...