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Author : Ian C. Ellis
Edition : 3
Number of Pages : 336
Publisher : Perigee Trade
List Price : $15.95
Amazon Price : $9.06
Used Price : $7.50 |
Product Description An updated edition of the essential insider's resource. For the experienced collector or someone embarking on a new hobby, this newly revised and updated edition of Book Finds reveals the secrets of locating rare and valuable books. Includes information on first editions and reader's copies, auctions and catalogs, avoiding costly and common beginner mistakes, strategies of professional "book scouts," and buying and selling on the Internet. Customer reviews How to make Money  by .. Hegelian (Concord, MA USA)
This guide treats books like commodities to be bought and sold to make money. Almost the entire focus is on the BIG money you can make scouting books. It reminds me of those no-money-down real estate seminars where you can supposedly learn how to make BIG money! (Drop me in any city and give me a map marked with bookstores and a $5 bill and I will have a $1,000 the next day!) The author brags about how much he made by buying such-and-such a book and selling it across town for three times as much. In one case (he refers to it twice, actually) he made enough on one book to take "a vacation to Europe." If you love books, this is not for you. If you love money, you can probably make more in a different activity. Incidently, values seem exaggerated throughout.
Very thorough  by .. Shawn Hazen (Chicago, IL USA)
The cover is misleading: it looks like it will be about antiquarian books. But it's actually about modern firsts, so more recent, jacketed-type books. If that's what you're into, this book is great. It covers everything from how the publishing industry works to the all-important detective skills required to identify a real first edition. And a lot of super-arcane details in between. It even mentions in passing a lot of authors and titles that I've never read, so it was a great way to discover new reading material. There's also a lot of ground covered regarding "scouting" and selling books, which will be super-practical for people going down that road.
Outdated by .. Chris Robert (Torrance, CA)
Without more extensive coverage of the internet marketplace, this book can only be considered out-of-date. For the most part, the kind of selling and trading presented here no longer exists as a profitable endeavor.
Without peer  by .. Paul Bogosian (Birthplace of Vermont)
The author loves his work and shares that love and knowledge in an immediately understandable way.
Book Finds, 3rd Edition: How to Find, Buy and Sell Used and Rare Books by .. Shirley A Hickey (Green Bay, WI)
Excellent book for either the new seller or those already doing so. Information included is useful to help become an even better seller.
Related Search : books , 3rd edition , sell rare  |
Author : Lawrence Goldstone
Number of Pages : 224
Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin
List Price : $14.95
Amazon Price : $6.00
Used Price : $2.80 |
Product Description When Nancy Goldstone bought a vintage copy of "War and Peace" to win a birthday bet with co-author Larry, the couple began their journey into the world of book collecting, meeting a hilarious cast of eccentrics along the way. Part travel story, part love story, and part memoir, this book provides a delightful love letter to book lovers everywhere. Customer reviews Entertaining and informative  by .. L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA)
First Sentence: We came to book collecting because our birthdays fall eight days apart.
[Dust Jacket] Years ago, the Goldstones fled high-paying jobs in Manhattan to live and write in the Berkshires. Enough of an overachieving spark remained to ignite a contest when the search for inexpensive birthday gifts began. While Lawrence settled for a bath brush, Nancy tracked down a ten-dollar copy of "War and Peace," and the couple's love affair with book collecting was born.
For those who love the combination of books, history and collecting, this is a delight. Although there is a tone of being dismissive toward other people, and the phonetic spelling of speech from a New Zealand dealer was annoying, there was much that was good about this book. There were times I found myself laughing out loud. Being set in locations I know quite well also made it fun for me. The best part was the instructive, informative information about book collecting woven into the story and I did find myself taking notes.
Poignant tale of book collecting novices by .. J.W. Posey (South Carolina)
I just finished this book and I found the stories wonderful. This book is obviously aimed it the beginning book collector. It details the adventures of the authors as they began to dip their feet into the world of rare books and collecting. The stories detail the adventures of the authors as they haphazardly jump into collecting books. As a somewhat novice book collector I found the stories both humorous and reassuring. I could see myself in many of the stories. There is a pull to collecting that sometimes overrides good judgment. I highly recommend this book.
Excellent foray into book collecting by .. Edward DeVere (Franklin, TN USA)
This is very well done and enjoyable. It is a light treatment of the subject prompted by my journey through the Bookman Series by Dunning.
Trifling, but a few hours' entertainment by .. Librum (CA, USA)
Though I found the opening chapters of URTBW greatly annoying (had the two professional-novelist authors of this book really never been to a used bookstore before they moved to the Berkshires? Did they really have no idea what pleasure used/antiquarian/rare books might hold for booklovers?), and the stereotyped description of book-dealers throughout tiresome (nearly every one an eccentric, an ego-maniac, or both; even if true, no need to make the point over and over), in the end I found URTBW pleasurable enough. Sure, it's the lightest of fair. But what booklover and die-hard-haunter-of-used-bookstores wouldn't relate to the authors' exciting adventures? URTBW is neither learned nor particularly well-crafted. But once one gets past the first couple of chapters, it's a good bit of fun. I'm happy to count the Goldstones among my fellow travelers in Booklandia.
Delightful! by .. W (Long Beach, CA)
I really enjoy this series and following the authors on their journey collecting books. The travels and booklore that they share are interesting and enjoyable to read.
Related Search : rare travels , book world  |
Author : Bauman David
Number of Pages : 106
Publisher : Bauman Rare Books
List Price : $12.95
Amazon Price : $7.16
Used Price : $5.25 |
Product Description Rare Finds is a friendly, wide-ranging introduction to the world of rare book collecting. It is intended for those with a budding interest in this exciting field rather than simply professional booksellers and librarians. The guide contains an easy-to-use Glossary as well as sections devoted to Frequently Asked Questions, Book Production, and Format. Lavishly illustrated, it includes chapters on all major collecting areas. Customer reviews Insufficient depth by .. Robert A. Moss MD (Fountain Valley, CA United States)
Since David Bauman represents the pinnacle of commercial rare book dealers I expected a bit more from this all too superficial book. He describes various types of rare books from different times and places which is certainly interesting for someone just thinking about collecting rare books, but I would have liked to hear more of his own experiences with some of the extraordinary volumes he's come across. Bauman's weekly add in the NY Times Book Review, while just a tempting little more than a listing, nonetheless has always struck me with a palpable sense of how books are a valued (often very highly valued) part of our culture. You get a liitle of this from Rare Finds and certainly some nice pictures, but just not enough of the human side of what these books mean to someone like Bauman and, in turn, what they should mean to us as collectors. How does he acquire such valuable works? How are they stored? Who buys a signed First Edition of Tender is the Night for $75,000? What do some great private libraries contain? and why? Unfortunately these and similar questions aren't addressed. Instead, Rare Finds is a rather brief, pedestrian tour of book collecting in general with little to excite the reader.
Related Search : collecting , rare finds , guide book  |
Author : Richard Russell
Edition : 2
Number of Pages : 448
Publisher : Krause Publications
List Price : $24.99
Amazon Price : $2.00
Used Price : $2.08 |
Product Description -Strong presence in online auction market -- majority of auctions feature pre-1950s editions -Appeals to serious collectors by featuring a list of classic rarities in each collecting category -Only full color guide to book collecting Book collecting may have started in the 15th century, but it's definitely a hobby that's alive and well today. Readers will quickly discover this new reference is the most complete resource of its kind. Antique Trader Book Collector's Guide delivers: -One-of-a-kind pseudonym guide to help collectors unearth books written by famous authors under different names -Diverse categories of books such as Americana, banned, fantasy, horror and science fiction, childrens, mystery, occult and paranormal, and philosophy and religion. -More than 6,000 current values to aid collectors with purchases and sales Whether collector, dealer or basic book enthusiast, Antique Trader Book Collector's Price Guide is a valuable reference and interesting read. Customer reviews Makes it quick and easy to use this as a take-along tote for flea market ventures. by .. Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
The expanded new edition of a classic book collector's market guide provides full color and plenty of detail, updating prices for over 5,000 books and using charts to help identify first editions --which can be a tricky process, as publisher's marks vary from publisher to publisher. A new chapter on children's books has been added, while Top Ten lists of rarities and an alpha listing by author makes it quick and easy to use this as a take-along tote for flea market ventures.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Title Misleading  by .. Charles R. Barnett (Santa Fe, NM USA)
I bought, then returned this book. It may be a fine book for some but the word "Antique" in the title is deceptive. I am interested in antique books. Considering the fact that books have been published for centuries, a shotgun listing of books of relatively recent vintage may serve some well but was useless to me. Sorry, Mr. Russell. Better lose the "Antique Trader" title if you have another printing.
A Good Addition.... by .. Michael S. Dobson (Sacramento, CA)
Lighten up a little, guys. The book is THREE years old, fer chrissakes! NO book, even Ahreans, is going to cover everything AND continually be up-to-date on the fluctuations of the market (and market values), but each reference book you purchase adds a little something to your knowledge based, and this one does as well. The chapter on pseud.s adds yet another dimension to the book seller's (and/or collector's) knowledge.
Antique Trader Book Collector's Price Guide by .. NBSbooks ()
This book is very helpful to me as I buy and sell used books.
A Guide That's Worth the Money by .. ()
So many times I have purchased books that promise the information I will need to be knowledgable about a subject. And so many times it is an empty promise. Antique Trader Book Collector's Price Guide makes no empty promises. It's filled with accessible information that informs the reader on this complex subject. I've not found one easier to use. If you are interested in collecting or selling books, this guide belongs in your library.
Related Search : antique trader , trader book , guide antique  |
Author : Martin Pasko
Edition : Spi
Number of Pages : 192
Publisher : Running Press
List Price : $49.95
Amazon Price : $26.94
Used Price : $25.99 |
Product Description In 1935, popular culture was forever transformed when DC Comics published the first book of “all new, all original” comic material. To the delight of millions of readers everywhere, the modern comic book was born, and from its pages came leaping an exhilarating cast of characters. Now The DC Vault unlocks DC Comics’ most fascinating secrets and deeply buried treasures, presenting a colorful array of historic and never-before-published memorabilia, including early sketches, covers, memos, press materials, and much more. From a working reproduction of a 1942 Junior Justice Society of America decoder, to a series of Public Service Announcements starring Superman and Batman, to the original pencils and inks for Wonder Woman #63, this dazzling chronicle contains more than 25 plastic-encased archival pieces for readers to pull out and examine—all while learning about the artists, writers, and world-famous super heroes that make up the DC Universe. Whether you’ve been collecting Superman comics since the ’40s or have just discovered the amazing Sandman saga, you’ll revel in this vibrant treasury! Customer reviews Perfect! by .. E. Jacobson (Los Angeles, CA)
This book is great. History in its written form, and things that you can touch! Great for any DC fan -- a must for any comic book or comic book movie fan.
dc comic by .. Heather A. Cattanach ()
I bought this for my husband who is very much into comics. He loved it!
Vault of Excelence by .. Tim Lasiuta (Red Deer, Alberta)
The DC Vault
All I can say is WOW!
The team of Martin Pasko and DC Comics (Paul Levitz provides the foreword) has produced a truly remarkable book with few faults. From a historical viewpoint, Mr Pasko has managed to shed new light on the murky origins of Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholsons' company. The 'new' information not only includes what little we know of the various publisher mergings, but what fascinated me was the licensing impetus/juggernaut that grew out of DC Comcs/National Publications. With Dr No, the licensing arm behind the scenes kicked into high gear and with the merger of Kinney into a Time-Warner Corporation, DC was not only a publishing company, but a licensing monster!
As comic fans and readers, all we saw was the amazing array of products that came out of the mythcal offices we saw four color images of the heroes who saved the fictional universe again and again. DC swallowed Fawcett in the 1950's, and along with that, the amazing Captain Marvel franchise. Charlton Comics, oncde a major competitor, was also absorbed in the 1980's. The forays of DC Comics into network TV with the Adventures of Superman, Batman (West et al) and Superman films is referenced, but the Flash and Wonder Woman have been glossed over. Major talent movements from Marvel to DC (late 1960's), and the DC Implosion (1977/78) that purged the publishers low selling ranks, are covered by Pasko in a thoughtful, matter of factual manner.
Probably the greatest feature of this book is the wealth of 'vault' material included. Art pulled from files that never published, and actual copies of rare promotional items turn this into a true page turner. Items like the Ashcan Double Action #2, the Batman mask from 1943, the JSA Decoder, Superman's Buddy comic, and the History of the DC Universe poster are stunning. Even my 15 year old daughter was thrilled with the jewels in this publishing crown.
If there is a weakness to the book, it's the last couple of chapters that covers DC Comics from 1980 to present in 20 plus pages. The history of DC is complex, and the last nearly 3 decades is full of developments could fill a book on its' own. Dealing with issues of creators rights, the major Crisis, and DC Universe re-organization, and recently, the creation of specialty imprints such as Wildstorm, and the rise of exclusive creator contracts is either not discussed, or glossed over.
I do love the extensive use of high quality graphics 1935 to 1996 in the book and archive pieces. This is a true hands on book that could easily have been 200 more pages. Alex Ross fans will love the cover, and the note from Alex to Neal Adams.
The big question is, how can you expect to cover the history of such a company in so few pages? And secondarily, why do we nitpick so much. This is a labor of passion, and as such, should be read that way. Enjoy the glimpses into the files that only Paul Levitz can provide. Just enjoy.
Www.runningpress.com
Tim Lasiuta
A must buy for all DC Comics fans! by .. Richard Guion (CASTRO VALLEY, CA USA)
I like this even more than the Marvel Vault, which came out last year. The DC Vault has better content as far as the history of DC is concerned, starting with More Fun comics and leading up to recent history. Martin Pasko, who many longtime DC fans will remember as a key writer during the 1970s, wrote the text that accompanies the multitude of pictures and collectibles. He includes numerous typed and handwritten memos from DC Comics writers and editors that give us a fascinating inside look at how certain decisions were made.
The collectibles that are reproduced here are really, really sweet.
For starters, the cover of the DC Vault is a reproduction of Dick Sprang's "Secrets of the Batcave" lithograph that he produced in 1994. Some of the 1940s items are the Junior Justice Society Decoder Wheel, a Wonder Woman Sensation Comics button, and a Batman 1943 mask that announces the newspaper comic strip. There are some never-before seen items, like Neal Adams concept drawings for a "Superman-land" amusement park, where we could have explored the World of Krypton. A sticker reproduces the "Shazam Is Coming" button that announced Captain Marvel's 1970 comeback into the DC Universe. My favorite reproduction is the History of the DC Universe Jam Poster (shown above), where a few dozen DC artists collaborated to draw their famous characters: Carmine Infantino on the Flash, Neal Adams on Deadman, Joe Kubert on Hawkman, Walt Simonson on Manhunter, Curt Swan on Superman, etc. I had this poster when it originally came out and somehow lost it, glad to have it back now. It even has Dave Gibbons doing Rorschach, which must make Alan Moore's head spin around.
If this wasn't enough, the DC Vault contains tons of preliminary cover and character sketches. There's a really cool Hawkman concept cover sketch by Kubert, as well as a Ragman character description. Brian Bolland's pencils to one of his famous Wonder Woman covers is included. There are a number of covers which had to be altered from their original state, and Pasko speculates on the editors reasons for doing so. There's so much in here that I can't possibly describe...if you're any kind of DC fan, you need to buy this book, now. Nuff said.
Related Search : museum book , dc universe , with rare  |
Author : Madeline B. Stern
Number of Pages : 292
Release Date : 1998-06-01
Publisher : Main Street Books
List Price : $19.00
Amazon Price : $7.98
Used Price : $0.01 |
Product Description When their friendship and business partnership began in the 1940s, Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern were pioneers in a man's world. Now approaching their nineties, the duo, who -- among their many discoveries -- unearthed Louisa May Alcott's pseudonymous blood-and-thunder stories, remain a vibrant institution in the rare book trade, even as the Internet changes their field -- and their community -- forever. After publishing Old Books, Rare Friends, Rostenberg and Stern received a flood of fan mail asking about their personal lives, and they have responded with rare honesty and warmth as they reflect on their lives and their remarkable partnership. Bookends recounts their fascinating histories -- family backgrounds, business adventures, the men they did not marry, and their approach to the bittersweet trials of aging. Yet, more than just a dual memoir, Bookends is also a chronicle of the cultural changes of twentieth-century American life, and a loving farewell to the golden age of book collecting. Filled with wisdom and humor, this volume is a tribute to Rostenberg and Stern's passion for the written word, and for life itself. Above all it is a heart-touching testament to enduring human friendship. Customer reviews Old Books, Rare Friends Satisfies Booklovers by .. Dale C. Storms (Upstate New York)
For those of us who lust after books about books, as well as the history of successful booksellers, this book is one of the best. "Old Books, Rare Friends" details the struggles and triumps of two of the most famous women in bookselling during the twentieth century. They include lots of stories about tracking those elusive hidden gems overlooked by other more successful book dealers. They also describe each woman's scholarly adventures, successes and failures. I read this when it was first published, but wanted to own it so I could re-read it from time to time. If you love books you can't go wrong with Madeleine and Leona's story.
'Finger-Spitzengefühl' by .. E. A. Lovitt (Gladwin, MI USA)
Sometimes I will fall in love with an author's life as perceived through her books, and read all of her works for other glimpses into her private paradise. Authors such as Will and Ariel Durant, Edwin Way Teale, Stephen Jay Gould, and Oliver Sacks have shared their curiosity, astonishment, and joy with me. These authors are endlessly inquisitive. Each new discovery in their world, whether it is a fern, a skull, or an anecdote about a long-dead king is greeted with joy and eagerly shared with the reader.
Now in the dusty corner of bibliomania, I have found two more authors who are willing to share their joy of discovery with me. They even have a name for it: 'Finger-Spitzengefühl'--"the electrifying alertness to what is unusual or important in an early printed book. When 'Finger-Spitzengefühl' is coupled with serendipity, the gates of paradise open for the dealer in old and rare [books]."
Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern share their "thrill of the chase and the joy of the find," as well as a seven-decade-long partnership in life--"the partnership of 'Faithful Friends' who share 'a deep, deep love.'"
I have to admit I had trouble getting into this book. I read some of the earlier pages six or seven times because I kept falling asleep and losing my place. However, once the authors were out of childhood recollections and into the chase--first of all for the works that Louisa May Alcott had published under a pseudonym--then I was hooked.
These authors have illuminated many once-obscure corners of history through their curiosity and devotion. They deplore collectors who pursue rare books as an investment, much as I would deplore a physician who is in practice 'only for the money.' Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern have devoted their lives to the search for the old and rare, and their love, curiosity, and wisdom show through on almost every page of this book.
Old Books, Rare Friends are marvelous. by .. Rebecca Brown (Clallam Bay, WA United States)
Given to me as a birthday present on a misty Northwest beach,the whimsical allure of these charmingly self-possessed women residingin one of the toughest cities in the world, drew me into its first pages even as the rest of my party sat around on logs, barbecuing fine local viands & feeding the camp dogs. From their student years, surviving the Depression & WWII; to studying & getting published through the exciting times of starting a company & their book-hunting jaunts to musty basements in faraway places this is a lively, lovely duet by two voices weaving a deeply evocative memoir...
Loving books and each other by .. Onno de Zwart (steffens@bart.nl) (Rotterdam, the Netherlands)
For everyone loving books, history and detectives this book is a great pleasure to read. With great enthusiasm Leona & Madeleine write about their lives and the books which they bought and sold. It makes one jealous of times when rare books could still be found under piles of dust instead of being sold for fortunes. So stop reading the reviews and start reading this book now.
Unusual and delightful lives by .. ()
Those who love books and the history of the written word have benefitted from these devoted "literary sleuths" who not only devoted themselves to located lost treasures, but who pioneered the rights of women in academe. A story of how devotede friends could pool their talents to rescue lost arts and discover the literary secrets of groundbreaking authors. A suprisingly exciting read.
Related Search : sleuths shared , rare friends , old books  |
Author : Roy Thomas
Number of Pages : 192
Publisher : Running Press
List Price : $49.95
Amazon Price : $27.40
Used Price : $7.90 |
Product Description The Marvel Vault brings the Universe to you, sharing the insider's story of Marvel Comics from 1939 to the present. Chock-full of historic and never-before-seen memorabilia (think: early sketches of Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch, Bullpen birthday cards, and a membership certificate for the Merry Marvel Marching Society), this vibrant chronicle contains over 30 plastic-encased archival gems that you can hold in your hand while reading about the artists, writers, and heroes who make up the Marvel Universe. Organized by decade, The Marvel Vault leads readers through every era by letting them hold such rare items as holiday cards, the welcome kit from the original Merry Marvel Marching Society, the program for the first comics convention, and even the first sketches for characters who went on to become beloved Marvel icons. Whether you've been collecting Sub-Mariner dime-books since the 1940s, or have just started to crack the pages of current Spidey sagas, you'll want to gear up for Marvel-ous adventures with this dynamic collection! Customer reviews A MARVELous Book! by .. Hidayat Adams (Muscat, Oman)
If you are a hard-core Marvel Comics fan, and know your Super Heroes from way back when, then this marvel (excuse the pun!) of a book - which is truly a vault of treasures - will certainly enthrall you! That said: if, however, you are a fairly recent fan and only know the latest Heroes, or if you are only interested in heroes like Spidey or the Fantastic Four, then this book might not be so fantastic for you. Nevertheless, it is a great addition to any bibliophile's library, and the price is sweet too!
The "Vault" holds some excellent items of memorabilia, and some of the treasures in it are signed pencil illustrations, a few collectors' cards, and a Stan Lee Book of Marvel Goofs. Paging through the book definitely creates a joyous sense of nostalgia, and also displays how Marvel has matured, developed and come into its present reign.
The MARVEL Vault makes for a perfect gift to yourself, or a close friend who is a die hard Marvel fan!
The presence of the ephemera overshadows the superficial and error-riddled text by .. Handee Books, LLC (Santa Clara, CA USA)
The Marvel Vault is billed as a "museum in-a-box", and that's pretty much what it is. It's illustrated not only with covers and interior art from pricey comics and photos of their creators, but also with reproductions of ephemera such as character and cover sketches and unedited artwork. Also, several clear vinyl sleeves hold reproductions of Marvel ephemera such as the Marvel Value Stamps and the program book from the 1973 Marvel Comic Art Convention.
There are better choices if you're looking for a history of Marvel Comics (Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics by Les Daniels is probably the best known, but also worth reading are Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and the American Comic Book Revolution by Ronin Ro and Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book by Gerard Jones, though the last doesn't focus exclusively on Marvel) but the real attraction here is the rare art, preproduction sketches and other stuff out of the reach of the average comics fan. It's fun to see ephemera from the original Marvel fan club and hand-drawn greeting cards autographed by the entire Marvel staff. The presence of the ephemera overshadows the superficial and error-riddled text.
Great Book¡¡¡ by .. Ariel Ferrero (Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Argentina)
This Book is great, with lots of stuff of the Marvel history. An incredible edition¡¡¡ Thanks
Ariel
Buenos Aires
Argentina
The Marvel Vault by .. Anthony Paschal (chicago)
Thit book has a lot of long lost memories for older comic readers but it seems to focus too much on marvel "cash cows" spiderman and wolverine same story different cover.
The Marvel Vault by .. Jane Doe ()
This was purchased as a gift for my husband who is an avid comic book collector. He was thrilled with the book and is enjoying it very much. Even though my order was close to Christmas, I received it in time to make it a Christmas gift.
Related Search : collectibles from , with rare , marvel vault  |
Author : Philip K. Hu
Number of Pages : 370
Publisher : Queens Borough Public Library
List Price : $65.00
Amazon Price : $18.77
Used Price : $17.00 |
Product Description Visible Traces: Rare Books and Special Collections from the National Library of China showcases an integral part of Chinese history as documentation and as works of art. The collection of inscribed oracle bones, rubbings, manuscripts, maps, printed books, and artifacts from minority cultures traces, in broad strokes, the evolution of the written and printed word in China, against the vivid backdrop of Chinese society and history. The exhibition is divided into 4 main sections: "Rare Books and Manuscripts," "Epigraphical and Pictorial Rubbings," "Maps and Atlases," and "Texts and Illustrations from China's Ethnic Minorities." Among the highlights of the exhibition are a Tang-dynasty Dunhuang manuscript of the Lotus Sutra dated 695; examples of color printing, including the "Ink Garden of the Cheng Family" from 1606, "The Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting" from 1644, and the second series of the "The Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting" from 1701. The section on rubbings features many important pieces, including the "Inscription for a Buddhist Image Constructed to Commemorate the Duke of Shiping," well known as one of the "Four Exemplars from Longmen"; a rubbing taken from the monumental "Map of the Prefectural City of Pingjiang", among others. The final section features Buddhist sutras, texts, historical writings, and illustrations in various non-Chinese scripts such as Mongolian, Tibetan, Sanskrit, Tangut, Manchu, Yi, Dai, and Naxi (pictographic and Geba). The catalogue includes about 180 color plates, full descriptive essays for every object in the exhibition, notes and references pertaining to each work, and an extensive bibliography listing more than a century of monographs, articles, exhibition catalogues, and reference works related to the exhibits. Customer reviews Must have item for anyone who loves Chinese culture by .. carolyn ann ford (oxford, oxon United Kingdom)
This exhibition catalogue is a must have item for anyone who has a serious interest in China's rich textual tradition. I have already put Visible Traces on my Christmas wish list in hopes that my relatives, who have no idea why I have been studying Chinese literature and history all these years, will break down and give me something related to my life's work. And I haven't written a wish list in ages, that's how much I want a copy of this on my bookshelf. And if they don't give me a copy, I'll give one to myself as a gift once I finish my PhD. If you didn't have an opportunity to see these rare books, maps and artefacts when they were on display in New York or Los Angeles, or if you don't feel like buying a plane ticket to visit the National Library of China in Beijing, this catalogue is an economical way to savor what you missed. The editorial review does a wonderful job of summarizing the contents, so I won't repeat that. The color photography certainly does justice to the original works. I enjoyed seeing the photographs of a 1621 manuscript on Tang poetry because it's connected to my own research, but there is something in this volume for anyone who loves Chinese culture. The reader will find scrolls of Buddhist sutras, delicate drawings of gentlemen playing the game of go, specialist monographs on the varieties of crysanthemums, illustrated manuals on goldfish, albums of Beijing opera characters, oracle bones, pictorial rubbings and multi-color maps of the Chinese empire, and more. For the specialist the bibliography is detailed enough to start tracking down other extant copies of the items in the exhibition as well as general information to be found in secondary sources. That said, why didn't I rate this book a 5? Only a couple reasons. Some sections of maps and charts have been magnified, and are less distinct than their smaller scale originals, which some readers will find frustrating. Every reader will have a different reason why they love this book. I wanted to be able to see the whole 1621 poetry collection. A crysanthemum connoisseur will want to see every flower illustration. Map lovers will wish that all the maps had been printed. In other words, every one will wish the book were bigger and that it covered his or her interest in more detail (even at the expense of someone else's). At 337 pages, however, it's already a large volume. After savoring each page, you may find yourself falling for some new aspect of Chinese culture and you'll realize you may have to buy that plane ticket to China after all. Visible Traces will whet your appetite, but it won't quench your thirst, which is fine because no one volume could ever contain all the glories of China's print culture. DO NOT show this catalogue to your kids, unless you are happy for them to fall in love with Chinese history and art and study for PhDs instead of becoming a lawyer or getting an MBA.
Related Search : library china , rare books , special collections  |
Author : Stephen H. Van Dyk
Number of Pages : 112
Publisher : Scala Publishers
List Price : $18.95
Amazon Price : $1.95
Used Price : $1.94 |
Product Description The Cooper-Hewitt Museum's library and archive, a branch of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, contains 5,000 rare books pertaining to ornament, architecture, and the decorative arts. A selection of these rare books forms the subject of this volume. design books have served as an inspiration to designers, as tools for instruction, and as works of art in themselves. Presented in this title are such remarkable books as Pierre Valet's 'Le Jardin du Roy tres chrestien' 'Loys XIII' 'Roy de France et de Navarre' of 1623, which contains over fifty life-size botanical engravings. Examples of fine bindings, children's books, pop-ups and caricatures are alos included. Rare books also provide insights into environmental factors that shape the designs of a society or era. By illustrating examples from the museum's books or history, culture, etiquette, and travel guides, Van Dyk shows how such books played key roles in defining acceptable taste and standards of design. Related Search : museum smithsonian , cooper hewitt , rare books  |
Author : Linda C. Casterline
Number of Pages : 48
Publisher : Children's Press (CT)
List Price : $4.95
Amazon Price : $2.99
Used Price : $3.00 |
Product Description Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers. Customer reviews A Little Light by .. Susan Smith (Upstate New York)
I was a little disappointed in how small this book was- that was my fault, I didn't pay attention to the actual description of the book. I bought it as a gift for my 8 year old grand daughter who is in the 3rd grade. She loved it. She loves animals, knows a lot about them from watching Animal Planet, so I was afraid the book would be boring or too simple, but watching tv isn't the same as reading! She wants me to buy some of the other 'True Tales' books about animals. As an adult I was disappointed, the child it was for loved it!!
Related Search : chapter book , true tales , rare animals |
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