Category: Updates

.
This past Saturday, while you were munching on cinnamon chip scones, I was on an epic book safari with nearly all of the Bibliophiles of Oklahoma. We crossed the state line into north Texas to visit Larry McMurtry’s Booked Up. It was fantastic in the true sense of the word. The last image is of just the Books about Books section. I easily spent half the day there. In all seriousness, budget not being such an issue, I could spend about 4-5 days at Booked Up making my selections. There is a goldmine of ephemera waiting to be mined. Of course, I took my camera along, but managed to get no photos of the good folks who came along. This is normal for me (and my family). One reason I brought my camera was to take photos of book trade labels (came away with several) or bookplates that were particularly interesting. I don’t have so much space and money that I can really afford to buy books only for the bookplate within. This ex libris, belonging to someone named Severett Belknap, who was a bookplate collector around 1900, I found particularly nice. It sums up my feelings, and the other Bibliophiles as well.

“A man never gets so much good out of a book as when he possesses it.”

.

1860s, Binghamton NY, Preston Sears, Union Book Store, patriotic tc
Originally uploaded by Exile Bibliophile

.
A patriotic, civil war period business card, from Preston & Sears Union Book Store in Binghamton, New York, having a fine image of an unusual 35 star American flag (circle within a circle, larger stars in center and at each corner). At top is a quote that may not be exactly accurate, but its meaning is clear. “The first man who attempts to haul down this Flag shoot him on the spot.”

.

.

It’s been a little over two months since the launch of the Flickr group Seven Roads Book Trade Labels. We’re now up to 9 members, which is ok, but the very exciting bit is we have 376 labels up, with new additions every week. This week, we have this very nice label from WH Smith & Son’s subscription library, detailing subscription levels, and how Smith’s gave “more bang for your buck”, or ha’penny or whatever ridiculous clap-trap the English were doing with their money back then. Loyal label poster alan.98 has posted a couple other lending library labels as well. I very much like the agricultural library, but the label from Wray’s Modern Library takes the cake. As Alan points out in his posting to the group:

“What a wonderful shop this must have been — you could not only buy books and fancy stationery but take out fire insurance and hire your servants too. You had to be quick and read your books in two days, though.”

Flickr memberships are free (if you have a yahoo account, you already have a Flickr account), so why not take a minute, join Seven Roads Book Trade Labels group and post some of the little book trade labels in your own collection?

Syracuse NY, TW Durston Co, bookseller, tc christmas santa deer tree
Originally uploaded by Exile Bibliophile

.
May Santa bring you many books and treats! Merry Christmas everyone! Exclamation!

.
That dang isn’t a short, forceful one, but drawn out, multisyllable: Daaaaa-ng.

Where has November gone? I’ll tell you, though it is non-biblio content: Work. I work for a museum, and my time has been consumed over the last month to get a new exhibit out that I was in charge of. So, back to the book stuff for a bit. Hooray!

First, Chris at Book Hunter’s Holiday has tagged me with the stuff that’s going around. I didn’t know she was contagious, besides the way she smiles when she writes.
1. Check
2. Check
3. A: My Mom once hit me with the car.
B: I’m one of those elusive under-30 bibliophiles. Barely. Heck, in this field, I’ll be a youngster for another 20 years! Like being a museum curator. In 20 years I’ll be “up and coming”.
C: I took Hebrew in college. I wish I could say I studied Hebrew, but that would be generous.
D: If it is baked with cinnamon, it doesn’t have long to wait until it is in my mouth.
E: I recently discovered the joys of Cuban jazz.
F: I whistle the theme song of Hawaii 5-0 at odd times (sorry Preach!) and often wake up with it playing in my head. No, I never played in a marching band.

4. I tag….
Bibliophemera (a great blog, who doesn’t post enough! That sounds familiar.)
Archaeolibris (who has not blogged in a bit)
That’s enough. I’m worn out.
5. Check
6. Check.

The Rules:
1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

.

Philadelphia PA, Hollowbush Carey, booksellers, tc
Originally uploaded by Exile Bibliophile

.
Nice typographical trade card from
Hollowbush & Carey,
BOOKSELLERS,
Bland Book Manufacturers & Stationers,
No. 218 Market Street,
Philadelphia.
Paper Flour Sacks And Bags

1954 Commer Mobile Library factory photo bookmobile
Originally uploaded by Exile Bibliophile

Another bookmobile. Wow. This thing is beautiful. I’m home sick today, listening to football via the net. This link has been occupying some of my time today as well: http://etsybooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/best-tutorials.htm. From the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team, a collection of bookbinding related tutorials. Great stuff… like this bookmobile. *Sigh*