Virginia Woolf Signed Copy of Orlando For Sale
The folks at Paul Fraser Collectibles always have interesting Book and Manuscripts items to sell. They even have locks of hair from famous authors and world leaders for sale at very affordable prices. The Signed Orlando is very special and is at a fair price given its importance and rarity. The Paul Fraser site is one you may want to bookmark, I also recieve their newsletter which is always full of very interesting information. Here is the scoop on Orlando:
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) is often regarded as one of the foremost modernist figures in literature of the 20th century.
Her most famous works include Orlando, Mrs Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.
After battling bouts of depression for much of her life, Woolf filled her pockets with stones and drowned herself in the River Ouse near her home in Sussex in 1941.
This magnificent book is a hardcover limited edition of Orlando, measuring 6.25" x 9.25". It is one of a limited edition of only 800 copies of the book signed by the author, this being number 465.
Orlando, published in 1928, is a novel partly based on Woolf's lover Vita Sackville-West.
The book has been signed by Woolf in purple ink on the reverse of the half title page. The autograph is in excellent condition.
The book also features an owner's bookplate which has been affixed to the front pastedown showing the books original owner was the famous American Impressionist landscape painter Daniel Garber. This copy originates from Garber's personal library - the bookplate reads "Ex Libris - Daniel and Mary F Garber". Garber's paintings are now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.
Pencil notations have been made on the first, blank page. The book also features some light overall toning and some light sunning to the spine, otherwise it is in fine condition.
Virginia Wolfe Signature
A rarely seen signed edition of an important 20th century novel with great provenance having come from the library of Daniel Garber.
(M) (PF373)
For sale: £1,950 $2,535.07 USD
All items are sold with:
A Certificate of Authenticity
Free insured delivery
Copy and Past the following url to purchase:
http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?catid=209&docid=6664
Sorry - I am having trouble setting a link here. Also wanted to let you know that I am not connected with Paul Fraser Collectibles in any way. I will not benefit from any sale.
Top Ten: Influences on the Value of a Second Hand Book
Source: Reading Habits Feed Yours Website. We want to thank the author Amber Cross for allowing me to publish this. I hope you will find it interesting...
Thursday, 10 November 2011Reading Habit's
http://feedyourreadinghabit.blogspot.com/2011/11/reading-habits-top-ten-influences-on.html
Top Ten: Influences on the Value of a Second Hand Book
As a second hand bookstore operator I often get asked to value a book. In most cases, the book in question isn’t worth much more than $10 or $20 and I watch as a wave of disappointment creeps across the customers face. This disappointment generally stems from the common misconception that if a book is old it must be worth something. There are two glaring problems with this assumption. The first is the customers’ perception of what defines old. In book collecting terms, a book is not old if it was printed in the 1950s, yet most customers perceive it to be old and therefore valuable. In collecting terms a book must have been around more than 100 years to even begin to be considered old and preferably more like 200 years. The second problem with this perception is that people equate age with value. This is a complete falsehood. Whilst age can contribute to the value of a book, the most important indicator of a book’s value is its rarity. And even this statement needs further elaboration because the truth is that second hand book selling is just like every other global marketplace. It’s controlled by the forces of supply and demand. So whilst a book might be scarce and the only one of its kind in the world, if nobody wants to read it then scarcity means nothing. The book is worth nothing. For a book to be considered rare it must be more than scarce. It must be scarce relative to the demand for it.
All that considered, let’s look at what different characteristics can make a book rare and thus influence its value. I have listed what I consider to be the top ten influences on value below, in no particular order.
Book/Dust Jacket Condition
In real estate its location, location, location. In the second hand book trade its condition, condition, condition. The closer a book is to its original state the more value it will carry. This refers just as much to the dust jacket as it does to the book itself. A book in very good condition is worth little if its’ dust jacket is missing. It’s also important to understand that a very, very old book is worth little if it’s falling apart. The second hand book industry has developed its’ own grading terminology to help describe the condition of a book. This information is usually presented in the form of VG/VG, Fine/Good, VG/--, etc. The first part refers to the condition of the book, whilst the second refers to the dust jacket condition. If a "/--" is present, it usually means that the dust jacket is not present. The terminology used is as follows.
New - Unread, in print, perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.
As New – The book is in the same condition it was published.
Fine – Close to the condition of ‘As New’, but without being crisp and has no defects.
Very Good - The book shows some signs of wear, but has no tears or defects noted.
Good - The average used worn book that has all pages intact and defects are noted.
Fair – A worn book that has all pages intact but may lack endpapers, half-title etc. Binding or jacket may also be worn and defects are noted.
Poor - Describes a book that is sufficiently worn to the point that its only merit is as a reading copy. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc. Defects should still be noted.
NB: Despite this industry standard terminology there will always be discrepancies between people and their perception of the condition of a book. Where possible you should see the book for yourself and when buying over the internet we suggest you ask to see photos.
Signature
Generally speaking, if a book has been signed by the author or the illustrator then this will add some value to your book, but don’t get too excited. If no-one has ever heard of the author or no-one wants to read the book then a signature can mean absolutely nothing. Further to this, contemporary authors are known for their book junkets when their latest novel is released. This means they sign many copies of their books at public events in an effort to promote sales. This makes their signature fairly common and adds little to the market value of the book. Also be careful of the printed signature because this is not the same as a penned signature. A printed signature is one that is printed in every copy of the book using the same process as printing the text. A penned signature is added to the book personally by the author after publication. A printed signature is worth nothing, whereas a penned signature can add value. I will also make note here of inscriptions by authors. An inscription generally has more wording than just a signature and can add a little more value. Where inscriptions can really affect the value of a book is when they have been presented to an important associate, friend or family member. These inscribed book copies are often referred to as as presentation or association copies and they can often demand a high price.
NB: Signatures can be a tricky thing to authenticate, particularly if the authors signature is a squiggle and resembles nothing like their name. Do your homework and try and authenticate the signature. There are websites, like TomFolio, that archive scans of author’s signatures just for this purpose, so take the time to check them out.
First Edition
The term ‘edition’ as taken directly from The ABC for Book Collectors (Carter, 1997, p84) refers to “…all copies of a book printed at any time or times from one setting-up of type without substantial change.” Usually, information about editions is included on the copyright page of the book. In cases where this information is not provided you will need to do further research to determine whether a book is a first edition or not. First editions are one of the most collectable types of book and therefore their market value in fine condition can be at a premium. Though, as with all items on this list, just because a book is a first edition doesn’t make it valuable, as there has to be demand for it at the same time. I will also note here the importance of limited editions. This term is used for editions where there is a limitation statement. A limitation statement usually gives the total number of copies and then assigns an individual number to each specific copy (e.g. No 53 of 1000). Limited editions can in some cases derive a high value.
First Book
A first edition of an author’s first book will generally be worth more than their subsequent books. The underlying reasoning here is that in most cases the print run of an author’s first book is general quite small in comparison to the print runs of their later works. The perfect example of this is J.K. Rowling. The first instalment of her Harry Potter series only had a print run of 500, whereas the last in her series had a print run of around 12 million. Needless to say first edition copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are valued in the tens of thousands, whereas a first edition Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows carries little value unless signed by Rowling herself.
Association with Previous Owner
The association of a book with a previous owner can add value to a book where that person is either famous or important, or if that particular book held special significance. Here’s an example. Let’s say you found a book inscribed to a friend by Hemingway’s wife. This would add value to that copy of the book.
NB: There are pirates in every trade and the book dealing trade is no different. Forged signatures and other distinctive markings like bookplates and ownership stampings are more common than you think. So make sure that any association with a previous owner has been authenticated. A quality book dealer should be able to provide you with the correct documentation.
Age
As I’ve already touched upon, age by itself is not enough to make a book valuable. The importance of the text, the condition of the book, and demand for it will determine the value of an old book. However, certain age categories of books are more sought after. As a general rule, most books printed before 1501 are rare and there is normally value attached. If we are being specific to certain countries, it’s also fair to say that English books printed before 1641 are prized, and books printed in America before 1801 are also highly collectible.
Materials Used
In the era of mass market paperbacks and e-books, book binding is fast becoming a dying art. So much so that many people will never set eyes on a finely crafted book. Leather bound books, bamboo folded books, limp vellum, wooden boards - you name it and there’s probably been a book made out it. There are even books that have been bound in human skin! Techniques used include Coptic binding, Ethiopian binding, long-stitch book binding, Bradel binding, secret Belgian binding, Japanese stab binding – the list goes on. Suffice to say, books that have been published using some of the older and more traditional styles and materials of book binding can often command a high premium.
Importance of the Text
People value books either because of their contents or because of their physical characteristics. First editions of important literary or historical works and initial reports of scientific discoveries or inventions are prime examples of books that are important because of their contents. Illustrated books that give a new interpretation of a text or are the work of an esteemed artist are also valued. Books that were suppressed or censored can be considered both important and scarce, since few copies may have survived. Physical characteristics, such as a special binding, an early use of a new printing process, or an autograph, inscription, or marginal annotations of a famous person, may also contribute to a book's importance and its market price.
Combinations
By themselves, the influences I have listed so far add a certain amount of value to a book, but found in combination these characteristics can add a whole lot more. Let’s consider. A first edition of a popular author in good condition might be worth OK money, but a signed first edition of a popular author in good condition will be worth more money. And, a signed first edition of a popular author in fine condition will be worth even more money. You see where I’m going with this. Essentially, the more characteristics listed here that you can find in combination with the one book, the rarer it becomes, and more value is placed upon it.
Sentimentality
It might seem like a cop out to finish off with this one, but it’s actually really quite important. So far, this list refers only to the collecting value of a book. It makes no attempt to address any sentimental value that one might have attached to a particular book. The most valuable books I have in my collection are not signed, nor are they first editions. They are made up of the books that my parents read to me in childhood, were given to me by special friends, or include the characters I admire or fell in love with. It may sound a bit cheesy, but sentimentality does add value to a book and the memories we attach to books can often make them seem priceless.
AbeBooks' Top 10 Most Expensive Sales in June 2011
Dune, Frank Herbert, first edition
In June 2011 AbeBooks once again showcased the collectibility of classic science fiction works, as a signed first edition copy of the modern classic Dune by Frank Herbert sold for $7,500. The novel is considered to be Herbert's magnum opus and spawned a series of sequels all set on the desert world of Arrakis, which is the only source of the universe's most valuable material: a melange called "spice" which is required for space travel. This is the highest recorded price paid for a copy of the landmark novel on AbeBooks, but it is also the first time a first edition copy of this quality has been sold with a signature included. Herbert got the idea for the novel while visiting Florence, Oregon and the famous Oregon sand dunes.
Other notable sales include a collection from French Poet Paul Verlaine which was limited to 30 copies and printed on Holland Paper, which is a durable paper suitable for luxury books. This was the only anthology of Verlaine's poetry that was published in the lifetime of the author, with the choice of poems being made by fellow writer Charles Morice (with Verlaine's approval). This copy sold for $6,541. Also interesting was the$5,050 sale of Rosas, a collection of poems, with illustrations in various media showing roses. Poems by Robert Herrick, Thomas More, William Blake and Edmund Waller are included, with other words and arrangements by artist Susan Allix. Making this collection even more remarkable was a double-page original watercolor unique to this volume.
Top 10 Most Expensive Sales in June 2011
1. Dune by Frank Herbert - $7,500
First edition, first printing signature by Herbert on a laid in. This true first edition includes a fine dustjacket with the $5.95 price present on the front flap.
2. Choix de poesies by Paul Verlaine - $6,541
Published in 1891 this is the first edition of Verlaine's collected poems, this copy is one of 30 limited edition copies to be printed on Holland Paper.
3. Lisboa: Cidade triste a alegre by Victor Palla and Costa Martins - $5,137
Published in quatro this volume contains 152 photographs from these renowned photographers
4. Cantigas de Santa Maria by Alfonso X el Sabio - $5,107
A facsimile edition published in 1989 of the thirteenth century religious songs authored by King Alfonso X the Wise.
5. Rosas: Roses Real and Imaginary with bindings by Susan Allix - $5,050
Published in 2009 this contains 14 unnumbered leaves buond in a multi-colored Morocco and embroidered binding by Allix. With nine illustrations of various sorts and in various media showing roses by Allix, one double-page and one an original watercolor unique to this volume. One of ten copies signed by Allix.
6. Buckskin Brigades by L. Ron Hubbard - $5,000
True first edition of the science fiction author's first book, published in 1937. This copy is in fine condition and includes the dustjacket.
7. The American Gardener by John Gardiner and David Hepburn- $5,000
Published in 1804 this is a first edition copy in full leather binding of the first book on American agriculture written by an American agriculturist.
8. The Complete Alphabet Murder Series by Sue Grafton - $4,975
From A to U this is a complete set of Grafton's famous series which began with A is for Alibi in 1982. Each volume is signed, copies in fine dustjackets, all first editions are first American printings. 22 volumes total as a second copy of O is for Outlaw was included as a limited British edition which pre-dated the American.
9. The Circus of Dr. Lao by Charles G. Finney - $4,500
With relief etchings by Claire Van Vliet, this 1984 publication by Janus Press was limited to 150 numbered copies (this #43) printed letterpress on handmade Barcham Green paper and signed by Charles G. Finney and Claire Van Vliet on colophon.
10. La militia romana di Polibio, Tito Livio, e di Dionigi Alicarnasso by Francesco Patrizi - $4,395
The Roman militia is a major study by the Italian philosopher Francesco Patrizi on the ancient Roman army based on his reading of Polybius, Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus. Published in 1583.
AbeBooks' Most Expensive Sales in 2010
Source: ABE.com
It was a bumper year for rare bookselling on AbeBooks. Our top 10 list of the most expensive sales of 2010 includes nothing priced under $14,000. The top sale was a very rare Islamic manuscript, around 800 years old, for a whopping $45,000. The sale of the archives of Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, for almost $29,000, raised a lot of eyebrows in Italy. Fallici died in 2006 but is still remembered for her revealing interviews of major international figures.
The list is broad and varied. A fine press edition of Moby Dick by Herman Melville sold for $28,900 – the Grolier Club described it as one of the most beautiful books of the 20th century. There was a first edition of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale – a novel with a head-turning dust jacket design. There was also a set of botanical magazines, more Melville and an Ottoman Atlas.
We also showcase the most expensive sales in children's books, art books, photography, poetry, religious & theology books, science books, ephemera, flower books, modern firsts, romance, science fiction & fantasy and books written by a President.
Take a moment to discover what is now sitting on the bookshelves of the world’s big-spenders.
AbeBooks' Top 10 Most Expensive Sales in 2010
1. Arabic Manuscript of Al Wajaza Fi Sihhat Il Qawl Bi l Ijaza - $45,000
This is an important work on Hadith methodology (narrations concerning the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) that was originally written in the 10th century AD. This copy was published in the 12th-13th century A.D. and contained an ownership mark on the title page from a well known scholar called Ibrahim B. Sulleymanb Muhammad B. Abd Ul Aziz Al Hanafi Al Jinini, who bought it while living in Damascus in 1659 A.D.
2. Archive of Letters, Manuscripts, Documents, Articles and Ephemera by Oriana Fallaci - $28,994
An original archive of the personal files of one of the 20th century's most celebrated, notable and influential women. Fallaci was an Italian writer and journalist who was an accomplished war reporter - in Vietnam, Latin America, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent but made her name with stunning star interviews which were meticulously researched and often lasted several hours. Some of her more famous moments included ripping off her chador while interviewing Ayatollah Khomeini, throwing a microphone at Muhammad Ali's face when he belched in answer to one of her questions, and quoting the Shah of Iran as saying “Women are important ... only if they're beautiful and charming and keep their femininity... you're equal in the eyes of the law, but not ... in intelligence." She spoke English, French, Spanish as well as Italian and hated to use interpreters, she described her interviews as "coitus" and "a seduction".
The archive itself features thousands of pages, totalling over 50 pounds of papers, mostly categorized by subject and includes the personal research materials and handwritten notes from the woman that Elizabeth Mehren of the Los Angeles Times described as "the journalist to whom virtually no world figure would say no."
Moby-Dick or, The Whale by Herman Melville - published by The Arion Press. This edition printed in 1981.
Moby-Dick or, The Whale
Herman Melville
Moby-Dick or, The Whale by Herman Melville - published by The Arion Press. sold for $28,900
3. Moby Dick; or The Whale by Herman Melville - $28,900
Super deluxe version of The Arion Press’ 1979 printing of Melville’s classic which was limited to 265 copies. This issue includes 200 engravings and 10 drawings all signed by the illustrator, Barry Moser. This edition has been described as one of the 100 most beautiful books printed in Europe and America in the 20th century by the Grolier Club.
4. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - $27,500
Published in 1776 in six volumes, the first of these volumes was limited to 1,000 copies in its first printing so complete sets of first editions are very rare. The set is considered a major literary achievement as it was adopted as a model for modern historical methodologies and led Gibbon to be described as the first modern historian of Ancient Rome.
5. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming - $19,529
One of the most collectible modern first editions available this was a first edition, first impression copy of Ian Fleming’s first Bond novel, housed in a black quarter morocco solander box made by The Chelsea Bindery.
6. Ottoman Atlas - $19,500
Published in 1860s, this atlas contains 31 hand-colored maps prepared and printed in the Muhendishane I Berri Humayun (the Royal School of Millitary Engineering in Istanbul).
7. The Works of Herman Melville - $17,250
Complete in 16 volumes, this 1922 set was limited to 750 sets, this is No. 258, and contains many first printings, Billy Budd and all the poems except Battle-Pieces, John Marr, and Timoleon as well as the first British printing of Clarel.
8. The Botanical Magazine (42 vols) by William Curtis - $15,592
A collection of the first 42 volumes and index of this magazine launched in 1787. It went on to become the longest running botanical magazine. These first volumes contain more than 1,800 hand-colored plates.
9. Book of Kells - $14,859
This 1990 facsimile edition of the Verlag Luzern edition of this mystic testimony of early Irish Christianity was limited to 1480 copies. Written in German, it contains miniatures (illustrations) of the early Middle Ages and is one of the most beautiful holy books ever created.
10. Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States by Joseph Story - $14,062
Edited by Thomas M. Cooley, a first edition of this famous political commentary. One of only two treatise written about early American constitutional law written by a sitting Supreme Court Justice. Henry Baldwin's General View is the other.
Its Official: Decision Points "Limited" Edition a Bad Joke by Stephen Gertz
Stephen Gertz in his just published Booktryst article "Its Official: Decision Points "Limited" Edition a Bad Joke" has done it again. He has brought the full force of his considerable intellect to evaluate the "collectible value" of former President Bush's new book just published by Crown. He shows it for the "collectible" farce that it is. Read the full article HERE
Booktryst's controversial report about the limited edition of former President George W. Bush's new book, Decision Points, has been vindicated by new facts that have emerged since the original post.
The "limitation" is to a staggering 4,500 copies, a number so large that the edition has lost all credibility as a collectible and claim to being special...
...
And the lack of a limitation statement in the book declaring the number of copies in the edition is a huge caveat emptor/collector. A truly collectible limited edition book always states the number of copies printed.
Once again, this is not a viable book from a collecting point of view. It will never become rare. And it is unlikely to ever appreciate in value; indeed, with 4,500 copies in circulation the aftermarket for the book will likely decline. $350 for the limited edition? Buyers are being stiffed. It harkens back to the days when a limited edition of a clandestinely published book was limited only by the number of copies the publisher could sell. It was a racket.
By not wanting to "disappoint consumers" Crown has betrayed them. They've sullied the rare book collectibles market with this nonsense, attracting naive or budding collectors who are now, once burned, likely wary of book collecting as a hobby. By marketing it as a "collectible," over-selling it without any update to their original announcement, and omitting any mention of the limitation number on the limitation page (because the limitation leaves were pre-printed, signed by President Bush, and then inserted into the already-bound book), the publisher has doomed it as a collectible; it will never have any appreciable market value.
[Top]The Curse of Lono Signed by Hunter Thompson & Ralph Steadman
I love Taschen publications. Always have. They still have a few of Hunter S. Thompson's last projects, a new production of The Curse of Lono. These beautiful books are signed by both Thompson and Ralph Steadman. If you haven't spent time on the Taschen Website, this is a good time to rectify the situation. I have a few Taschen publications and find them to be beautifully crafted books of high quality. You can view pages from the book HERE. Here is the text from the site about The Curse of Lono:
Hunter S. Thompson's most eccentric book in a signed, limited edition
No one expected TASCHEN's re-edition of The Curse of Lono to end up being Hunter S. Thompson's swan song, and his sudden death the month before its release made the event a bittersweet one.
The Curse of Lono is to Hawaii what Fear and Loathing was to Las Vegas: the crazy tales of a journalist`s "coverage" of a news event that ends up being a wild ride to the dark side of Americana. Originally published in 1983, Curse features all of the zany, hallucinogenic wordplay and feral artwork for which the Hunter S. Thompson/Ralph Steadman duo became known and loved. This curious book, considered an oddity among Hunter`s oeuvre, has been long out of print, prompting collectors to search high and low for an original copy. Resurrected by TASCHEN in a bigger size with splendid, full-color illustrations, The Curse of Lono is now available in a special 1000-copy edition, numbered and hand-signed by Thompson and Steadman.
Illustrator:
Ralph Steadman is best known for his collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson. He is also a printmaker (his prints include a series of etchings on writers from William Shakespeare to William Burroughs). His own books include the lives of Sigmund Freud and Leonardo da Vinci and The Big I Am, the story of God.
Author:
Legendary author Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) developed a style of writing about American life and politics that was so acerbic and over-the-top, it earned its own nickname: “gonzo journalism.” His magazine articles and books—of which he penned nearly a dozen, including Hell's Angels, The Rum Diary, Songs for the Doomed, The Great Shark Hunt, and the monumental Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas—influenced a generation of writers and established his voice as an essential part of America’s socio-political fabric. Portrayed on the silver screen by Bill Murray (Where the Buffalo Roam, 1980) and Johnny Depp (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 1998), Thompson was a wild character whose persona was inseparable from his often semi-autobiographical writing. True to his image, he once said, "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
You can find more information HERE
[Top]Decades Later, ‘Boy of the Border’ Gets Its Due - Newly Published Langston Hughes
Entertainment Weekly - El Paso
By Dan Lambert
Poet and prose writer Langston Hughes, who died in 1967, is having a new, “Boy of the Border,” published from a manuscript that sat for nearly three quarters of a century among his papers at Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
How did it get unearthed and published by El Paso’s Sweet Earth Flying Press?
The book is a collaboration between Arna Bontemps and Langston Hughes – both prolific black writers and good friends.
Hughes, born in 1902, is famous for his part in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. The duo teamed up to do a number of children’s books during the first half of the 20th century. Part of “Boy of the Border” had seen the light of day in July of 1956 in Jack and Jill magazine as a 10-page, condensed “Broncos over the Border.”
Sweet Earth Flying Press is co-owned by writers Sondra Banfield Dailey and Dr. Maceo Dailey. She is the publisher; he is the editor.
Dr. Dailey – history professor, director of African American Studies at UTEP, and Sondra’s husband – was going over letters exchanged between Hughes and Bontemps, one in particular from an August 1955 letter in which Bontemps was reminding Hughes of the “Boy of the Border” manuscript, which never got published.
“My husband contacted Dr. Arnold Rampersad, the principal biographer of Langston Hughes, who confirmed that the unpublished manuscript was among the Langston Hughes papers at Yale,” Sondra Dailey says.
Why wasn’t this book by two famous authors published all those years ago? Sondra Dailey explains that there is not much documented evidence to answer the question, but “given the traditions and trends of the 1930s, it is not a stretch to assume that publishers were not interested in a positive story about Mexicans.”
Hughes was introduced to Mexico while visiting his father there as a child. Hughes and Bontemps wrote two books featuring Mexican characters: “The Pasteboard Bandit,” published posthumously in 1997, and “Boy of the Border.” They wrote books for children – children of color in particular – that exposed them to the positive aspects of new lands and new peoples.
“I think that it is significant to note that during the early 20th century, when American society was so segregated, you had two brilliant black writers whose vision for children’s literature was so universal, not limited to the American black community,” Sondra Dailey says.
So what was it like coming face to face with this long-in-hiding manuscript?
Sondra Dailey, on her first of two research trips to Yale, was given a box of Langston Hughes papers, which she had to dig through to find the manuscript.
“Finding and holding the manuscript was thrilling, like uncovering a treasure,” she says. “It was typed, but it was exciting to see the actual handwritten notes by the two authors in the margins.”
She says many revered these two writers, including her parents, who introduced her to their work when she was a young girl.
Two well-known El Paso artists worked on the book, the father/son team of Antonio Castro L., who did the illustrations, and his son Antonio Castro H., a UTEP graphics design professor. Through sepia-toned drawings and a period-looking layout, you feel like you’re holding a treasure from the 1930s.
The first printing of 2,500 copies of Boy of the Border is almost depleted, and the publisher will be scheduling a second run soon, Dailey says
READ MORE
[Top]What Do Vanity Fine Press Editions Mean To Book Collectors
Small Press Offers a New and Unique Publishing Service
The following Press Release is about an "vanity fine press book publisher" that prints "on demand" limited edition books of all types. What about it folks? Will these books become collectible? Will that depend solely on the author, publisher, production number and popularity of or topic of the book? Will it be a "step-child" of the collectible world? You tell me... Here is the Press Rlease:
In its relatively short existence, unique vanity publisher Family Editions is attracting a lot of attention.
Launched Easter 2006, Family Editions Publishing offers vanity self-publishing with a unique twist. The new imprint is the first and only service specializing in creating one-of-a-kind private keepsakes, heirlooms, and mementoes for its clients.
These cherished heirlooms come in the form of exclusive, books that are professionally printed and bound. The company offers many styles and colour formats with this service in order to provide a finished product that is right for any client. The printing is done on demand through parent company Open Book Press. The company offers many affordable packages and deals grouping basic book packages with extra services in order to offer clients the most out of their unique publishing experience.
The attention generated by this service is because of the distinctive adaptable features available making each and every book unique and one-of-a-kind. Most vanity publishers target would-be writers looking to launch a writing career, and create a book that can be mass produced and sold to retail outlets. Family Editions takes a different approach. Instead of creating a product to be sold as a retail commercial venture, Family Editions takes the clients own photos, thoughts, memories, art, writing and creates a unique and personal book. The book produced is of equal quality to any retail book, but kept as a personal family heirloom and keepsake, unique to that client.
The idea stems from a book written by company co-owner Mike Gagnon, as a tribute to his grandfather. Originally meant as a service to create memorials or books in tribute of loved ones, the idea has caught on with artists looking to create a unique portfolio, Newlyweds looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding album, and others who want to immortalize loved ones and special occasions. Response to Family Editions has created a new niche service in the publishing industry that so far, only Family Editions fills.
Anyone can create their own custom, limited edition book collecting their own thoughts and memories for as little as $149.99 U.S. or $209.95 Canadian. Service will also be available to the UK, with appropriate pricing soon to come. For more details and pricing packages see the new Web site recently launched at www.familyeditions.com or call Family Editions Publishing at 519-396-6145
[Top]Contemporary Hawaii Woodworkers; the Wood, the Art, the Aloha Is Award Winner
Contemporary Hawai‘i Woodworkers; the Wood, the Art, the Aloha recently won the DIY Book Festival Awards in the Art/Photography book category and won Best Design overall for all books submitted to the 2009 annual contest in Los Angeles, California. It's also a finalist in the national Foreword Reviews' Book of the Year Award established to increase the attention of librarians and booksellers to the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and authors and is nominated for the HawaiiReaders.com Best Book of the Year Award. One top of it all, Hawaiian Koa trees are being planted to honor those who purchase Limited Edition copies of the book.
Contemporary Hawai‘i Woodworkers, designed and written by Tiffany DeEtte Shafto and Lynda McDaniel, celebrates the talent and creativity of 36 of Hawai‘i’s award-winning wood artists and the organizations and locally grown trees that support their work.
"The response to Contemporary Hawai‘i Woodworkers has been absolutely amazing, especially considering it has been out only since last November," says Tiffany DeEtte Shafto, owner of Contemporary Publications, which designed, produced, and published the book. "When it made the Borders Bookstore Hawai‘i’s Best Sellers list in December and January (Ward Center location), I was delighted. Being a subject I am so passionate about, I am thrilled that it is making a difference."
Green ""award" Contemporary Hawai‘i Woodworkers also captured the attention of Jeff Dunster, CEO of Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods (HLH). He is “awarding” all purchasers of the book’s 300 Limited Edition copies with a koa tree planted in their name. The numbered Limited Edition books are signed by 35 of the featured wood artists and come in a beautiful curly koa printed slipcase.
"Koa is a truly magnificent tropical hardwood and while the majority of our 2,700-acre sustainable forestry project is dedicated to raising investment grade koa, we have set aside a special place for planting Legacy Trees," says Dunster. "Our Legacy Tree™ Program facilitates the planting of koa trees to honor an individual, commemorate an event or memorialize a loved one. This book and the wood artists within it honor the culture and tradition of Hawai‘i’s premier indigenous wood. To enhance the generosity of individuals who are supporting this Limited Edition, we are planting a koa tree in their honor."
Each Limited Edition book buyer will receive a certificate with the GPS coordinates of the tree planted in their honor and can visit it any time, located just south of the historic Umikoa Village on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. The planting site is a reclaimed cattle pasture that is being returned to koa forest.
"Visiting Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods site was a full circle experience for me," says Tiffany. "Knowing the need for sustainable reforestation of Hawaii’s prized, native koa—a wood that is found nowhere else on earth—and seeing this visionary project taking place, I instantly asked if I could plant the book’s trees myself. I’m pleased to share the answer was ‘yes.’"
Limited Edition copies of this award-winning book are still available and are sold exclusively through THIS SITE. The regular edition of the book is available though galleries and book stores across the islands and through Amazon.com.
[Top]Love, Graham Nash - a Handmade Fine Press Book Limited to 80 Copies
Love, Graham Nash is an original fine press book released by Legacy Editions, a new imprint of 21ST Editions—producers of the most elegant and rare photographic art books in the world. This magnificent handmade two-volume set is limited to 80 copies signed & numbered by Nash, with only 50 offered for sale.
Graham Nash is one of popular music's most legendary artists, celebrated for his work as a solo artist, with Crosby, Stills & Nash and with The Hollies. Nash has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two times—with CSN and The Hollies—and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He is also an acclaimed photographer whose work has been shown worldwide. The images spotlighted in Love, Graham Nash are ones taken in the 1960s and 1970s, a period that Nash's era-defining artistry helped shape. Portraying friends, family, and fellow musicians, they capture the essence of a momentous time in American culture.
Hand-bound in African Bubinga wood, the set's main volume contains an introduction by Neil Young, 21 bound photographs, lyrics from 17 classic Nash songs, and an exclusive companion CD. The lyrics are reproduced as facsimiles of their original manuscripts—on hotel letterhead, torn notebook pages, and other ephemera. The book is signed by Graham Nash, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young. The second volume collects letterpress transcriptions of the lyrics, and an exquisite portfolio of nine free-standing photographs, each signed by Nash.
"During the time I've spent exploring the work of Graham Nash, I've come to understand his vision as a songwriter, performer, photographer—and friend," said Steven Albahari, Publisher. Love, Graham Nash is the result of more than three years of collaboration with Graham.
An extraordinary cultural artifact, Love, Graham Nash is a work of art in and of itself. It merges the time-honored traditions of fine book making, dry-trap and letterpress printing, and photographic illustration with the most sophisticated modern printing technologies—ones pioneered by Nash Editions.
For more information please visit HERE
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