The Exile Bibliophile

Book Trade Labels spotted!

2011-12-03T16:01:00.001-06:00

It's been a while since I've posted on book trade labels, but believe me, they are never far from my heart. Over Thanksgiving, the Mrs. and I took a pleasant trip to visit friends and our old stomping grounds in Oklahoma. Luckily for me I was able to include nearly all the surviving used and indie bookshops in Oklahoma City-- and a new one!

I made quite a haul home in my suitcase, and had to ship a goodly sized box back to Montana as well.

One of the books I bought on an impulse was Barbara Hodgson's The Tattooed Map. What initially caught my eye on the Clearance shelf at the new Half-Price Books in Edmond, OK was the Chronicle Books colophon on the spine-- these folks put out wonderful books. Always worth a flip through at the very least.

What a surprise when I did. It was a constant flow of beautiful ephemera reproduced throughout. Then, closer to the back, bookseller labels started popping up. I include here only three of the six. They came out a little blurry. I think my scanner is just too much for my rickety desk and that's what's causing that. They really are beautifully reproduced in the book. I found myself running my fingers over things and surprised it wasn't pasted in.

Maps, books, and ephemera play an important role throughout the story, although it really isn't about that. Newspaper clippings, receipts business cards, fold out maps, are complimented with exact details (like library stamps on the backs of maps) and handwritten lists and notes throughout.

As a story, it didn't blow me away, but it's gotten better in my mind with a few days of perspective. Hodgson has produced a few other books described as Illustrated Novels along similar principles, but this was my first. Hodgson's more recent book, Trading In Memories, about being an ephemera hunter, has moved from my "Acquire On Sight" list to "Acquire Now" list.

Twitter

2011-11-30T12:45:00.001-06:00

Did you know I'm on Twitter? Do you follow me there? I love Twitter. I have a nice list of bibliofolk as well. Check it out!

Protect Your Books (and Your Marriage) with Proper Shelving

2011-11-19T17:03:00.001-06:00

Another guest post from me has appeared over at the GoneReading Blog. Check it out!

Protect Your Books Through Proper Shelving Techniques

I’m the first to admit, I don’t care for all of my books equally. But I own books that are precious to me, requiring better care. Caring for your books begins with your eyes. Look at them closely, carefully– especially books you’ve had for a long time. Do boards on any of your hardcovers bow? Does each book sit square? Are the heads of the spines busted? Have you gouged your gauffered edges? These injuries are symptoms of inadequate storage.

When caring for your books, the basics begin with shelving. No matter how much you love your books, you aren’t reading all of them at once, right? Books spend most of their time on the shelf, so shelving them with an eye toward care can go a long way.

Don’t tell my wife, but her preference for shelving books upright by height with total disregard for subject matter or author is actually best for long-term book care. I, on the other hand, prefer to shelve non-fiction books by chronological subject matter and fiction by author’s national origin and life chronology.

That’s also why we’ve been happily married for nearly a decade: We don’t mix our books. Shelved by height, books support each other. Huge books, often atlases or enormous art books, are best laid down and stacked pyramid style, biggest on bottom. Over time, the slick, high quality paper in these books is so heavy it will damage the binding if left upright.

Snug, Not Tight

Books like to be held snug, but not tight. If you’ve ever busted the head of the spine of a dust-jacket or hardcover book removing it from a shelf, you know you’re packing them in too tight. Packing them too tightly can also cause the boards of hardcover books to bow inward over a long period of time.

But there are also dangers with shelving books to loosely. Boards will warp outward under the weight of the pages when left unsupported. The spine will also splay loose at the top in early stages. This can also happen when taller books are shelved tightly amongst smaller brethren. The solution: Use bookends to maintain snugness.

Like I said, I certainly don’t treat all of my books this well. But the books I really love deserve my full attention. I try for a happy medium, sometimes making choices for the best of the book, sometimes adhering to my impeccable scheme. Occasionally a little compromise works best. That’s the best bet to save your books, as well as your marriage.

For more on the subject of book collecting, the anatomy of books and proper shelving techniques, Benjamin recommends this helpful PDF: ABC For Book Collectors

Exile Bibliophile the Tumblr Edition

2011-11-11T10:02:00.001-06:00

I've started an Exile Bibliophile tumblr edition, in hopes to lay groundwork for a podcast. So, I'll have fewer of the posts like the previous here, but even more bibliophilic content in general. You can find it here: http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/. The tumblr will NOT replace or likely displace any posts here. It'll be business as usual on the blog, but even more goodies here: http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/. So, check it out already!

...out of the window

2011-11-05T12:45:00.001-05:00

A gentle introduction to the gentle madness

2011-11-05T11:17:00.000-05:00

This week, I have the pleasure of guest blogging over at GoneReading, a site for people who love books. I've especially enjoyed the series A Dude Reads Jane Austen. Also, GoneReading has a great store with bookish gifts and things and proceeds support libraries and literacy. Pretty great stuff.

So, here it is:

It’s interesting so many people love books, but so few people claim to be book collectors. Is it because it sounds like claiming to be a breeder of polo ponies? Perhaps.

I collect books. I do not own a yacht. I’m not embarrassed by either fact. I even seek out others who collect books too, so maybe we can be friends. (The Mrs. says I need people-friends too, not just book-friends.) In my quest to find kindred collectors of books, I’ve found quite a few proto-collectors. Proto-collectors are people who are very nearly collecting but can’t quite claim full book collector status for themselves. They seem to be charmingly unaware how a quest has come upon them, consuming money, energy, and precious time-- but still they claim to not be book collectors. I’m the first to admit, it’s hard to say when exuberant Bibliophilia become full-blown Bibliomania. But the first step is certainly to admit there are stronger forces at work than the love of a tale well told.

Not everyone who owns a lot of books is a book collector. Granted. I wear pants most days, and own many pairs, yet don’t think of myself as a pants connoisseur. Book collectors are the same way. A book collection has a purpose beyond accumulating, beyond, even, reading. A book collection has a purpose. What should the focus be? That’s the beauty of it. It can be anything. Anything at all. And though book collectors have been carefully forming collections for centuries, the most interesting book collections are yet to be formed.

Collections often focus on a particular author, a particular illustrator, publisher, series, a style of bookbinding, a particular subject (like books of made-up words, or pants-wearing polo ponies). Not long ago a short article was circulating about a collector of books that use human blood in their production or signed in the stuff. I was surprised at the variety of books that fit into the collection. Another great way to see what’s new in collecting is to review the entries for the National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest sponsored by the ABAA (The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America). Nearly all of these entries demonstrate what amazing collections can be assembled on a college student’s budget.

Another thing to do is get to know other collectors. They may not be on your street, or at your 8-to-5, but there’s a big beautiful blogosphere pulsing with the thoughts and purchases of serious bibliophiles. I have over 250 blogs in my RSS reader dedicated to bibliophilia, and I know I don’t follow everyone. I’m constantly finding new ones. And people find me through my own blog. There are also several clubs, societies, and other organizations for book collectors, many of which can be found at the website of the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies. There may also be sites dedicated to your preferred objects of book love-- a great example is Collecting the Modern Library, a site dedicated to the Modern Library series of 1917-1970, compiled by collectors over many years and still growing. I wish there were many more like it.

If you love books, you’ve likely heard booksellers bemoan the unliterate age of the e-panopticon we live in today. Publishers are even worse. The moaning has its merits, but the moaners are overreacting. Historically, booksellers considered the end of books with the emergence of radio and television too. The great thing about the internet is it has largely removed one of the biggest barriers of book lovers: geography. Historically, book collecting has largely been a past-time for urbanites, but that is no longer true. The internet has also caused what were once thought to be rare books into a wider market place to be outed as actually fairly common. But books are finite, and I think we’re currently living in what will be “the good ol’ days” of book collecting. A time we’ll look back on fondly when nearly everything was available and most of it cheap.

There is still frontiers to be explored and treasures to be found in book collecting.

The Lumberjack's Boxcar Library

2011-10-30T21:47:00.001-05:00

The problem of getting books into the hands of readers has been solved in many ways over the centuries. Of course, one of my favorites is the bookmobile. A classic, and staple of rural life in the 20th Century. But in 1919, there was something else in the works to get books into the hands of the lumbermen in the employ of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. The Anaconda company is one of those "too big to fail" sorts in the history of Montana-- it's name was apt. But that's not to say this wasn't a great idea.

Beginning in 1919, this railroad boxcar was refitted to be a library on rails to serve the mobile timber camps in western Montana. The men and their families could be in these remote camps for a few months at a time, and undoubtedly anticipated the days when the library car came. That's how it was at least where I grew up on bookmobile days. According to the info posted, it was perhaps administered by the Missoula Public Library. I would certainly love to hear more about how this "cooperative effort" really worked between the public library and the Anaconda Co.

I'd also love to get my hands on lending records--- what were lumberjacks reading in the 1920s? Especially lumberjacks with access to an ostensibly public library working for an enormous multi-national "evil empire" type corporation whose practices gave rise to the modern organized labor movement? How were books selected? Did the employees and their families enjoy it? It must have been effective since it was in use into the late 1950s as a library by the Anaconda Co. After that, it was used by the University of Montana at one of their lumber research stations-- first as a library then as a dormitory. It was later used for storage, until it was discovered by the museum and acquired for restoration and interpretation of the timber history of the region.

To interpret my own photos a little, the floor plan above is oriented opposite of how the car actually sits in the first photo. The restoration is underway, and although I know the administration at the museum where it is, I haven't had a chance to chat with him about the project. It certainly is impressive, and should be on the biblio-tourists list of stops when passing through Montana.

Today this railroad bookmobile resides at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in Missoula, Montana. The restoration so far is impressive indeed.

Of course, if you know more about this amazing piece of bibliophilic history, please get in touch. A real dream would be records, or even a book with markings that showed it was used on this unique library. Even if it's not about this particular library on rails, I'd love to hear about others. Do any others even exist? Surely they do, but I've had a hard time finding any online. I know the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula would also appreciate any stories as well.

The Exile Roams West Part 3

2011-10-23T22:18:00.000-05:00

It's been a hectic month! I'm finally home after a few weeks of meetings and conferences that took me west. I'm a truly blessed man to be able to drive the length of Montana several times during a gorgeous, mild autumn.

While I was in Missoula, I was able to find The Bird's Nest. It's not hard to find, but parking can be an issue. I was parked about 2 minutes too long on the street and was greeted with a $2 ticket. I used it as a parking permit the rest of the weekend.

I was very happy to find this shop. Why? It's a true booklover's used bookshop. When they say "Books & Stuff", it's really more about the books than the stuff, but some of the stuff was interesting too. Ephemera anyone? It was also nuts. Having lived in a tiny town on a highway to Canada, I've enjoyed the quiet things in life. But Missoula, is nuts. The streets don't make sense, bikes everywhere, young people, buskers, Occupyers shouting, etc. Not what I'm used to in my small town. So, finding this quiet shop was exactly what I needed.

There were great books to be had here and prices were good too. Very good in some cases. I had worried that being in the center of a "happening" downtown in the arts district would make books dear. It wasn't so. The lady at the front desk was even great. Completely silent the day I came in to browse (for nearly 2 hours), and helpful and pleasant when I needed help another day. In other words, perfect.

There was even some older stuff to be found on the shelves, but prices there were bad, especially as much of the 19th C. stuff was warped/ moldy/ etc., but prices didn't reflect the generally poor condition of old stuff. And by "old", I mean 125 years old plus. Almost everything from the last century was in nice shape and fairly, even low priced.

I was in town for the Montana Festival of the Book and realized I had forgotten an example of a trade edition and a book club edition to be passed around so folks get an idea of the difference. It's one of those things best explained when holding both in your hands. I knew the Bird's Nest would have examples, and they did, as long as I wasn't too picky (It was a Crichton title for the curious-- in both BCE and Trade hardcover).

I didn't find anything in my particular collecting areas, but I did come away with bargains-- like 4 pristine volumes of The Anchor Bible for about $15! It may have even been $12. It's been a couple weeks ago now, but I do remember thinking I couldn't cover Media Mail shipping for the four books for that price from separate dealers.

There were also nice vintage copies of classics and now-obscure-but-the-rage-in-1935 stuff too. There were surprises, and groaners too, but it was all well chosen and the stuff that hadn't been culled in many years of shelf-sitting you could see why it was still there. It seemed to be a well trafficked shop, which means constant turn over. Which is nice.

The Bird's Nest is the kind of shop where they still hang a review of Francis Parkman's works from a 1926 New York Review of Books, because it's still informative. The old building has some charm too, which I'm certainly among the least immune. It creaked and groaned, had odd platforms and tiny nooks I had to duck and hunch to get into. Granted, I'm a big dude, but still--. It was also fun to play "What Dept. Store did This Fixture Come From?"

I also stopped in at another book shop, this one more akin to Half-Price Books, for those familiar with that outfit. (I like them a lot, but have moved far from their area). This one is called The Book Exchange. For most used book lovers, and seekers of the rare and odd, it was a bit too clean, a little bit slick, but they had a decent coffee shop built in, which I remember desperately needing when I arrived. For books they had very nice remainders, gently used books, etc. Prices were really good here as well for most things. I came away with a lot more than I had anticipated when I walked in. I definitely bought books out of pure serendipity. It was about what one would expect from a smaller, more local version of Half Price Books in a modestly sized college town. One of the things I noticed was a very large selection of comics. I don't go in for them myself, but for those who do (and I know there's a lot of you), this would likely be a stop you wouldn't regret. They also had a great genre paperback section, which was nice since I was needing the next installment of a series, and they had the next two! Also, lots of parking (which is honestly almost never a problem in Montana). Sorry I didn't seem to take many pictures inside. Probably because my hands were full of books.

So, if you're in Missoula, there are a couple fantastic book shops in town and another close by. Check them out and say hi. Or not. Silence is a virtue in Montana.

The Exile Roams West part 2

2011-10-15T10:14:00.000-05:00

I've recovered from my latest trip to Missoula, this time for the Montana Festival of the Book. What a wonderful event and an amazing group of people who put this on. Upon arrival I picked up the loose paper bundle gathered for orienting presenters. I scanned the program prepared as a supplement to the local newspaper, and lo and behold, thanks to alphabetical listing, there I am on the same page with James Lee Burke! How about that. Sure there are six names between his and mine (including the amazing Bonnie Jo Campbell), but there I am.

The festival itself was only a couple days long, but included enough panels and presentations I was forced to make tough choices. There were often 6 choices at any one time, and all of them with fantastic authors and presenters. You can see for yourself at the Festival website, while the 2011 info is still up.

One such session I enjoyed was a discussion between Keir Graff, Craig Lancaster, Jenny Shank, and David Abrams about "online stuff." It was focused on blogging and social media but did get around to a few other topics as well. Especially as all four have published/ soon-to-be-published novels. Also, Craig was funny. So was Jenny, but you expect her to be, having written for The Onion and McSweeney's. Sorry, but it's true.

Montana's Festival of the Book is really dedicated to literature and literacy. It's also almost entirely attended by middle-aged and older people, which was a surprise. There seemed to be a lot of young people around for a few key sessions, especially in Poetry, but that would be it. Odd. I thought to myself, well, this is more the demographic for book collecting anyway, so I'll likely find other collectors here. But I really didn't, until my session. I found the idea of a session on book collecting or a talk about books as objects was disorienting to many participants. And intriguing. They checked their schedules, asking, "When are you, again?", and "I'll have to catch that."

My session (titled Adventures in Book Collecting) was pretty well attended (about average for the smaller sessions). There were tons of great questions, and people seemed genuinely interested in learning more when it was done. Of course, my favorite part, was all the smiles at the end. It didn't hurt LibraryThing hooked me up with some great swag to give away! You can't tell, but the guy in the greenish shirt is holding a cue-cat. Everyone else ran away to gloat over their prizes, so I missed photographing about half of the swag winners because I was mobbed by the audience. I should bring an assistant next year. Any volunteers?

Since I was in the last time-slot of the last day, the festival was drawing to a close. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to trying it again next year, if they'll have me.

Attending these kinds of high-quality events, one should be forgiven the temptation to name-drop, so I will only indulge it only once more. Corduroy.

The Exile roams west Part 1

2011-10-01T14:52:00.000-05:00

Almost two weeks ago now, I ventured west to Missoula. If you're not familiar with Montana's cities, Missoula is the Austen of Montana. Artsy, liberal, and overflowing with students. It was site of the 2011 Montana History Conference sponsored by the Montana Historical Society. The conference was.... ok. More to the point though, I was finally in the populated part of the state, and in place where books must certainly hang heavy from vines. My reasons why: Centers of education, economic downturn (for the area), and lots of people constantly transitioning. My mouth watered at the idea of what books could be had.

Once I got there, I did have to actually attend the conference, and also had some other responsibilities there as well (board meeting for the Museums Assoc. of Montana), but I would have a full morning and one gap in an afternoon I could use to explore the area bookshops.

I consulted with my Readar app by LibraryThing. Readar is a locator for bookshops, libraries, book festivals, etc. Like UrbanSpoon, but for booklovers, they say. I can see that. Now, the content of the bookstore locator information, reviews, etc. is user generated, so in some cities and parts of the country it can be uneven. Montana is one such place (but improving incrementally now I'm getting out and about).

Readar said there were a few bookshops near my hotel, but no hours, no reviews, not even clear if they were new or used shops. I checked in another source-- The Yellow Pages. Not a website of yellow page listings, mind you, the actual phone book in the drawer by the bed in my hotel room. Those Yellow Pages.

One large listing caught my eye-- The Montana Valley Book Store, 100,000 used books, open every day 8-7. Early enough I could could have a good long browse before my first meeting at noon, and if I have to go back Saturday or even Sunday on my way home, no problem. I could even hit it again in a couple weeks when I come back to town for the Montana Festival of the Book. Open. Every. Day.

I checked the address-- Alberton. Where's that?! My in-phone GPS assured me it was close-- only 20 minute drive on the interstate west from Missoula. I made my plans for an early Cracker Barrel breakfast (I can't quit that cheesy hash-brown stuff and sweet tea) and hit the road.

I arrived at 7:30 in Alberton after a highly efficient breakfast. I was early and excited. Alberton is a very small mountain town that was obviously established to take advantage of the railroad, or the railroad came through Alberton to take advantage of it happening to being there. Either way, it didn't seem to be a healthy relationship. The small town has seen more affluent days, but still had that charm small mountain towns do. I started watching for the book store. It wasn't hard to miss on the main drag through the few blocks that makes up the town center.

The building has certainly seen better days, but was on the historic register, which meant it was beloved by someone. A 100+ year-old former grocery store, according to the plaque. Interesting. The huge front windows were dark, but in the growing daylight, I could see narrow packed shelves with books from floor nearly to 12-foot ceiling. I'm a big guy, and I already knew this was going to be tight.

Promptly at 8 AM, Keren, the owner and her big dog (that I don't remember the name of, but was equally nice as his owner) unlocked the doors and turned on the lights. Rather, snapped on *the* light. Each row of shelves has its own lights overhead for browsers to flip on and off as they go along. For doing so, each bank of lights has long strings dangling down to frighten you while browsing and forgetting that long strings are dangling from the ceiling to run across the back of your neck, feeling precisely like some kind of insect intruder about to dive down the back of your shirt.

The important stuff-- the books. They were everywhere. They claim 100,000 plus, and I bet they're right.

The books were interesting. A good mix of fiction, both antique, unfashionable, popular and recent stuff. Almost like the leftover books of a hundred years of vacations all in one place. Also, a goodly bit of poetry. Nonfiction was also good, especially in the outdoorsy subjects-- hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, etc. Plenty of the unexpected too-- like a road-map of Morocco circa 1975.

Condition was overall a bit lower than I like. I found a couple books I passed on because of condition-- even the occasional moldy book. There were also the pre-requisite used bookshop cats who were not very sociable that early in the morning (neither am I), but the occasional puff of hair from the books reminded me they were there. Maybe a pass for folks with allergies.

Prices were good considering this is western Montana, a very expensive place to operate a retail business of any kind. I went in hoping to find a couple things I thought likeliest to find. I came away with none off that list, rather an armload of serendipity and a good conversation. That's likely the best way to visit the store-- with open eyes and mind.

So, if you're in Missoula or just cruising I-90, don't be afraid of heading west to Alberton and stop in to Montana Valley Book Store and see what treasures you uncover.

Check back soon... it was an eventful trip.

2011 Montana Festival of the Book

2011-09-13T16:22:00.000-05:00

The new art is out, and they've now released the roster of presenters too! On the list, I'm between Edwardo Chirinos and John Clayton. They've also released a schedule of sorts-- I'm sure there will be tweaks, but it's great to see it finally. Looks like they've settled my seminar on book collecting into a great spot on Saturday afternoon.

Overall-- I'm pretty excited. I've not had many chances to promote book collecting in a flesh and blood setting, but I'm thrilled to get the chance. Surely I'll wish I could have changed something by the end of it, but that's what next year is for, right?

If you're in Montana, don't miss out-- heck from my desk, almost the entire state of Idaho and most of Washington, Utah and Wyoming are closer than I am, so come on out Oct. 6-8 to Missoula, Montana, one of Montana's gem cities. I'm sure you'll be glad you did.

.

1990s, Borders Book Shop, gift label

2011-09-12T13:35:00.001-05:00

1990s, Borders Book Shop, gift label to cover printed price,

It sounds like this is the final week for Borders stores to be open. I happened to find this tiny label last week amongst some books for another project I'll talk about more soon. It was used to cover the printed price on the back of a trade paperback-- I imagine they were used inside dust jackets as well at that time-- my book was from 1992 (iirc). Really a tasteful solution to keep people from price clipping dustjackets or gouging off prices off the rear cover of a paperback. Now in my collection of book trade labels, though a little different. I like it. Anyone ever seen different varieties? Anyone seen a price-cover-up sticker/ label from another bookshop?

Closing Borders in Montana

2011-08-17T17:34:00.003-05:00

Not that Border. Canada is still open as of last week, for sure. It's been everywhere on the internet about Borders (Books Musics Movies Cafes) closing. My take-- I've always preferred about every other book mega-chain over Borders when comparing them. But the loss of variety (such as it is) is rarely good in the world of bibliophilia.

I stopped at Borders in Billings last week on the way home from Yellowstone Park. We actually stopped there twice, once on the way out and once on the way

back. Yes, I picked over the carcass of the once proud empire builder-- there were some good books to be found amidst the piles and deep discounts. I found a small arm load of books I wanted to read, the Mrs. also found quite a few.

I've seen a few photos from other Borders around the country and they can be pretty apalling. Books strewn on the floor like they've just filmed an episode of Supermarket Sweep. The folks in Billings have kept it neat and professional, but pretty no-nonsense.

Looking for a chair? Too bad. Need a coffee? Bring a thermos.

What really brought it home was the sign

for selling off the fixtures. For some reason it didn't seem too real. Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska there was a furniture store notorious for "going out of business" sales for the best part of a decade-- maybe even longer.

But even the rolling ladders are up for bid now, and that surely is the sign of the end for a place like Borders. Actually, they should do a bookstore version of Supermarket Sweep. That would be pretty cool.

Home Library Begins

2011-07-22T22:35:00.003-05:00

I've promised photos for a while. Well, I've been done with the floor in the library for a while, but haven't had any time to tell you about it.

Our new house was built in 1959 and fortunately for us has wonderful hardwood floors under... patina, I guess to put it kindly. Carpet, pad, staples, carpet tack strips, random nails, screws, paint, mystery stuff, etc., etc.

So, the floors are done. Now I need to paint still and I'm also waiting on a carpenter to get freed up. I like to think I'm pretty handy, but this is my very own home library. I'm not leaving my future happiness up to my "sufficient" wood skills. Sufficient is being kind. I can knock together a compost box (check!), and as these photos demonstrate strip a floor down so it can shine.

I have a plan of what I'd like, but I want to talk to a pro. But, it's a crazy boom time in eastern Montana, so getting someone available is tough.

Anyway, some explanation in the photos, the "done" ones are of the library, the earlier ones are of another room, but it all looked about the same.

So, my apologies while things are under construction.

In book news, I've recently acquired a typically pricey tome for a nonce which I hope to translate into another Legacy Library over at LibraryThing. Have you seen the revamped Legacy Library page? It's fantastic! Go, visit and enjoy.

If you're not familiar with the Legacy Library Project on LibraryThing, the idea is to take the best resources we can tackle and digitally reconstruct the personal libraries of famous (and infamous) people in history. There's

Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Jefferson (and nearly all the founding fathers!), Marie Antoinette, the collection of books from the HMS Beagle when Darwin was on board, ee cummings, Emily Dickinson, and even the fictional Roger Mifflin, the bookseller of Parnassus on Wheels.

As of this writing there are 809 entries on the LL project. Now, not all of these are completed, but we're working on them all the time, and new libraries are finished nearly every week.

So, while I work building my physical library, maybe it's time you started cataloging your books on LibraryThing. If you have more than 200 books, get the lifetime membership for only $25. Having an accurate catalog is a bibliophile's dream, and it's the best money I've ever spent on my book collection.

Smallest Ex Libris?

2011-07-11T23:17:00.004-05:00

Starting to get moved into the new place. I promise, photos soon. I've finished refinishing the wood floor in the library. Unpacking a box of my things I haven't seen for a year, I found my album which houses my modest ex libris collection. Browsing amongst these treasures I found what I believe would vie for the smallest ex libris. I mean, it's tiny. I'm pretty sure it's a return address label that has been appropriated into a teensy, but affordable ex libris.

I began to think of smaller markings, like book branding, armorial stamps, other ink stamps, etc.--- but they aren't true ex libris. So, is it indeed the smallest? Probably not, I think another I've uncovered here was perhaps smaller, but a guy can hope.

Still moving.... and books!

2011-05-15T16:33:00.006-05:00

It's been so long, I sometimes forget-- briefly. It's been nearly a year and technically I'm still in the process of moving. At the end of May last year, I posted about taking a new job in Montana. Because of housing shortages the Mrs. and I have been staying with her parents. Did I mention the housing shortage? Housing prices have comfortably doubled in the past five years in our part of Montana due to western North Dakota's oil boom. We also have a "people willing to work" shortage as well. Many two income families only need to be one income families now, almost none of the city's youth work-- and there is no housing, so only the very determined (or desperate) have come to fill the open jobs. For example: It's hard to get a meal after 7pm when some of the restaurants close for lack of workforce. The newspapers are full of open jobs-- not just in the oil patch, but all kinds of jobs.

So, if you know of people in dire straights when it comes to work (I know many parts of the rest of the country are hurting badly), get yourself to Sidney, Montana. Bring a camper. Rented campers are currently running around $200/ mo./ person. *CAMPERS*. And bring warm clothes. Our first snow and last snow were 7 months apart.

In 8 months of searching we were shown 4 houses. One was already sold when we saw it. This was with a realtor working on our behalf, but also every other person we came into contact with. And my wife's a local, which can help in a small town. Finally in February, we were the fastest ones, and we found the house we wanted. But, with 5 kids, the family we're buying from was waiting until the end of school to move--- so, we've been waiting as patiently as we can, and for the first time in ages, I cricled the end of the school year. And it's finally getting closer.

So, what does this have to do with book collecting? I'm building a library in my new house. My application for home library has been approved by the home-governing council (i.e. The Mrs.), so my posts will likely lean that way in the coming weeks as I debate layout, styles, colors, furniture, etc.

Our house is nothing opulent, but nice and normal and I think installing a home library in a 1961 ranch house will be of interest to some. I'm so excited I have to remind myself it won't be like Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford, but it will be my very own, and that's the best part of all.

Happy Library Week

2011-04-16T15:08:00.004-05:00

In honor of library week, I'd like to direct your attention to a *very* cool thing. If you've read my blog for very long, you know I have a thing for bookmobiles. So, here is your chance to own your very own Parnassus on Wheels:

Ebay item: 270551067368. And believe me, I've shopped for horse-drawn vehicles in the course of my day job (museum curator), and this one is right on the money so to speak, judging by the photos. It would make a killer artifact for the currently forming American Writers Museum! Although, they've said they will not be an archiving institution (enough others do this, and do it well), they did not say if the new museum would be a collecting institution.

Montana Festival of the Book 2011

2011-04-07T23:41:00.003-05:00

I'm excited. I got my letter today from Humanities Montana officially inviting me to participate in the Montana Festival of the Book in October. It seems they've never had much from collectors, the people who celebrate books as objects, but more on texts, from the writer's and reader's perspectives. They've requested a Book Collecting 101 session/ workshop. More details to follow as we get a little closer to the conference and they figure out if I'm fish or foul. I wasn't able to attend last year since I had another event at the same time and it's on the other side of the state, and well, Montana's big. From where I live in northeast Montana to Missoula (site of the MT Festival of the book) is something like 600 miles. One way. About the same distance as driving to Minneapolis. But, it'll be worth it.

Other People's Books, Caxton Club

2011-03-15T18:57:00.003-05:00

The Caxton Club of Chicago and Oak Knoll Press have really done it. Waiting for me this evening is a just released copy of this much anticipated book: Other People's Books: Association Copies and the Stories They Tell. An edition of only 1000 copies, I cannot imagine it will not be available long. The quarter-leather volume is richly illustrated with full color throughout of books and inscriptions. This is a book developed by bibliophiles for their own kind. Here is the club's description of this fine volume:

"The 66th volume in our distinctive series for booklovers. Other People's Books features fascinating stories of associations told in essays by 51 authors and a scholarly introduction by G. Thomas Tanselle. This hardbound, 224-page book was printed in four-colors in Italy in an edition of 1000 with 112 images."

My hearty congratulations to the Caxton Club and to Oak Knoll for bringing this beautiful book to print and a big Thank You for allowing even the furthest flung collectors an opportunity for a copy. A .pdf preview and Table of Contents are available to whet your appetite at Oak Knoll's site, linked above.

I am the printing press

2011-03-15T12:42:00.001-05:00

I am the printing press a photo by Exile Bibliophile on Flickr.

From Harry Basford Miller, How to advertise printing (1915)

www.archive.org/details/howtoadvertisepr00basfuoft

The Art of Printing

2011-03-14T16:15:00.001-05:00

The Art of Printing a photo by alan.98 on Flickr.

The Art of Printing
is not only a
Most Pleasant Pastime,
but it can be made
Highly Profitable Also;
moreover, it is not
An Uncleanly Occupation;
for the whole process
Can Be Performed
from
Beginning to End
without
Soiling The Hands

Booklovers' Mystery Series - Julie Kaewert

2011-02-15T14:52:00.003-06:00

I found this series via LibraryThing, the best readers' site on the web. Period. I managed to find all the books of the series via BookMooch or *very* cheap online. I read them all over about 2 weeks this fall, so it's a little murky now.

The series basically boils down so:
Alex Plumtree inherits the multi-generation London-based book publishing company that allows a pretty comfy lifestyle. He's close to his Father's business partner and his old college roommate's widow. Bad things ensue of varying bibliophilic endeavors.

The first one was pretty uneven. The second was not very good, but better than the first (as I recall). I accidentally picked up the fifth installment instead of #3 for one last go--- and it was pretty good! Kaewert 's writing improves and the story is better paced. There are a couple plot holes that are left open and one with a bonus character whose involvement with the villain is never explained.

The main romance element that runs through the series is ridiculous and feels forced in every book, but in #5 it gets an over the top explanation that works in context. Almost. Also in #5 Ed Maggs is a main character! I enjoyed it and went back to #3 with much less dread, and happily finished the series.

For me, one of the most important element to a bibliomystery is the biblio-element. It can't simply be the McGuffin. It's gotta be *real*. This is where Kaewert did a good job. The biblioness is deep and very real. And each book deals with a different element of the bibliosphere-- fine printing, fine binding, collecting, incunabula, book collector societies, publishing, Bloomsbury, mysterious authorship, Pepys, etc. Julie Kaewert is a fellow bibliophile and I can certainly gloss over the few rough patches in the series to spend some time in this fun world where typography is a matter of life and death.

So all-in-all, the stories were good, and pretty enjoyable. This isn't complicated stuff, but it was fun bed time reading for this bibliophile. Kaewert's website reports a potential Plumtree prequel and perhaps even a new series. I'll certainly watch for them.

The pocket circulating library

2011-01-05T10:04:00.004-06:00

I think I get it. I know, I'm probably the last blogger of the biblioblogosphere to talk about e-readers, but I think I just got it.

Obviously, I love books as things. The physical artifact. Paper, ink, boards, cloth, leather, all of it. I have not really understood the fascination with e-books. Until now. They seem pretty unsatisfactory, by and large, but are improving. I'll also admit I have an ereader app or few on my iphone. I use Stanza for books from Project Gutenberg (30K+ titles for free!) and MegaReader for access to books from Archive.org (Over a million, all free!).

I've used it to read in line at the Post Office, etc., and occasionally for reading in bed when I've not planned well and my TBR pile has shrunk too low to suit whatever reading mood I'm in. I do not use it for my primary reading source, nor do I ever expect it to.

Enter a fantastic book I read this past week: A Book For a Sixpence by David Kaser. Kaser examines the history of subscription libraries in the US. This was part of the Beta Phi Mu chapbook series, which is a must-have for students of the history of the book. This is not exhaustive, nor does he make any claims of it being so. There were many places in Kaser's study that prompted me to ask questions that no one has yet found answers to. There is also a very good bibliography, index and a couple appendices listing known American circulating libraries before 1900. After a very cursory search through my limited records, I only found a few not listed in this 30 year old work.

Reading this book made the light come on. E-readers are the new circulating libraries! Sure, you get to keep the "book" longer, but you don't own it. Your subscription fee is the price of the hardware reader, then you pay for access to the text, not for the book itself.

You never own the text on an e-reader. Except when they're free, then no one seems to really care. But you still don't own it.

In this context, e-readers make more sense. When I try to equate buying an "e-book" (a chimera of a word!) with buying a book, I'm revolted. It doesn't add up. I "buy" an "e-book" and I have no or very limited lending rights, right of first sale is out the window, etc. However, when I consider using an e-reader as a 21st Century subscription library that merely grants access to works, it suddenly makes a lot more sense.

I know most of you have not struggled with this, nor have you sought any kind of justification for buying an e-reader or using one. I think however, I've finally found mine.

kindle, ipad, i-pad, nook, sony, comparison, history, amazon, subscription library, private library, rental library, membership library,

New Years card, 1892

2011-01-01T16:12:00.001-06:00

New Years card
Originally uploaded by Exile Bibliophile

Full of Books

2010-12-30T17:37:00.001-06:00

1883, Burlington IA, Love's Book Store, bookstore label
Originally uploaded by Exile Bibliophile

Burligton Iowa, I'm sold! Book dated 1883. I'd certainly go see if it were true or merely bold talk.