Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Nice Hemingway First Edition
For Whom The Bell Tolls
"This is the best book Ernest Hemingway has written, the fullest, the deepest, the truest. It will, I think, be one of the major novels in American literature." -J. Donald Adams, The New York Times, 1940
FIRST EDITION.
New York: Charles Scribner's, 1940. Octavo, original cloth, original dust jacket. Book fine, remarkably well preserved dust jacket with only very light edgewear and one small closed tear at top of rear panel. An outstanding copy.
Send to a Friend
$2,000.00
Friday, February 11, 2011
Test - FB Like Button
This is a test to see if I properly added a Facebook "Like" button to my posting template.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Vintage Desk Accessories
I also plan on stocking vintage desk accessories from the last century which, in most cases are much better constructed and better functioning than their modern counterparts.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
On First Edition Books
Image via WikipediaThough today is definitely the computer age, there are still some “old fashioned” ways to gain information and entertainment. Books are an institution—one that will not be falling to the wayside anytime soon. If you love books, you can do more than just read them—you can make a hobby out of collecting them.
Books are printed in three primary formats: hard back, paper back and trade copy. Hardback books are generally more expensive than the others, often because of the cost of binding. Paperbacks cost usually a third of what the hardback version costs. Trade copies are an animal unto themselves. Trade copies are paperbacks that are distributed to people in the writing world, generally before the actual book is published. Paperbacks are fine, if you just want to read the book. Hard back and trade copybooks are where the game begins, and if you are incredibly lucky, where the money is. This is where we will focus our attention, for purposes of this article.
There is a certain cache to having a first edition of a prized writing. The first edition of a book, in general, is printed and bound in hard back, with a book jacket covered with art (often from a notable artist). Having said that, however, there are times when first editions, particularly of new writers, are printed in paperback, so this is not a hard and fast rule. But, generally, hard backed books are the primary targets of collectors.
Why, you ask, does this matter? To collectors, this means everything! People sometimes pay exorbitant amounts of money for a first edition hard back of a book they love, or for a book penned by an author they love. People fill bookcases in their homes and offices with these beloved writings. Collecting books, like so many other things, is a game of acquisition. The good news about collecting these often expensive writings is you can actually use them for their intended purpose! They do not need to sit on the shelf merely collecting dust.
There are many sources that are useful in locating these little gems. Depending on what genre you are interested in collecting, you can start as easily as picking up a favorite author’s latest book at your local bookstore. Other places to look for books for your collection are: yard sales, book shows, used bookstores, and online sites that sell books.
How do you know if your book is a first edition?
This gets a bit complicated. Different publishers use different markings to identify what edition a book is. What you need to do is open the book to the front few pages, where the information about the publisher is located. Look for a set of numbers, i.e., 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0. Either above or below these numbers might be the words “First Edition” all by itself or with a month and year. If this is a new book, all you really need to do is verify higher on the same page that the first printing was in the same month and year, and with that combo you are in pretty good shape. On older books, you can do the same comparison, or you can look at the numbers. Some publishers have the 1 listed first and that means it’s the first printing. Others have a zero in front, and that means it’s the first printing. It is important to do a little research into the practices of the publisher your author(s) of choice use, as this will help a great deal in finding true first editions. The research aspect is part of what makes collecting fun. Once you have a good grasp on what certain publishing companies do to mark their books, you can start looking for treasures in unlikely places—garage and estate sales, auctions, used book stores that do not specialize in hard-to-find books and discount book sellers.
So, you have decided you wish to collect all of the works of your favorite author. You have studied up a little on the publishing company he/she generally goes through, and you are armed and ready to start building your collection.
Some things to look for in a good purchase:
The real estate market has their own mantra: “location, location, location!” Book collectors have their own mantra: “condition, condition, condition!” Once you have identified a book that you want, there are a few things to check before purchase, as these items can considerably affect the value of that book you are holding.
First of all, check the book jacket. Some booksellers will encase the book jacket in a Brodart or similar product that protects the jacket from dust and tears. The book jacket should be complete, untorn, and unwrinkled. Make sure the jacket belongs with the book; just compare the titles. Sometimes, jackets will be changed in later printings, and that new jacket could end up on your first edition book—where it does not belong. Just do your research in advance, and you will learn to detect these things.
Secondly, and more importantly, check the binding of the book and the condition of the content. The binding should be tight—meaning none of the pages should be loose or coming free from the binding. The pages should be unbent and uncreased (this is why some people get so upset over people folding over a page to hold their place in a book—those creases never truly go away), and none of the pages should be written on. This last item makes collecting children’s books a challenge because so many kids doodle in their books.
Finally, check the book for signatures. It is entirely possible to obtain a first edition of a book that has been signed by the author. The more valuable signatures are the ones that are generic; meaning they are not “to” anyone. Those resell better, because someone named Bob does not necessarily want to proudly display a note in their book from the author that says “Best of luck, Jim!” This brings me to another thing. Book signings, while somewhat less common than they used to be, are still there. Often, you can take your books to a book signing and the author will sign a certain number of them for you! This instantly raises the value of your book, and isn’t a bad idea if you are a serious collector.
The value of these books is what the market will bear, and can increase and decrease drastically for any number of reasons. A small percentage of people actually make money off collecting books, but the majority of collectors are in it for the thrill of the chase, and pride of ownership. Just decide where you want to be on the collecting ladder.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Bauman's Rare Books
100 Great Books and Autographs
Voltaire once wrote, “It is with books as it is with men—a very small number play a great part.” In this catalogue, we celebrate some of that very small number. Taken together, they form a spectacular rare book collection, these individual landmarks of the human imagination.Selected items follow below. For more information about these works or to see a complete listing, call us at 888-819-0748 or:
Download our "100 Great Books and Autographs Catalogue"
View the "100 Great Books and Autographs Catalogue" online
View the "100 Great Books and Autographs Catalogue" online
Featured Item
“Incomparably The Most Important Work In The English Language”
The extraordinarily rare 1632 Second Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, with engraved title page portrait of Shakespeare by Droeshout. A complete and lovely first-issue copy, very handsomely bound in full morocco-gilt by Riviere & Son. It is believed there are fewer than 200 copies, many of which are incomplete or defective. This edition contains the first appearance of John Milton in print.
The four folios of Shakespeare are the first four editions of Shakespeare’s collected plays. These were the only collected editions printed in the 17th century (a 1619 attempt at a collected edition in quarto form was never completed). The Second Folio, like the First Folio of 1623, contains 36 plays, all the plays that are considered to be wholly or in part by Shakespeare (with the exception of Pericles, which was added to the Third Folio edition of 1663). “The folios are incomparably the most important work in the English language” (W.A. Jackson, Pforzheimer Catalogue). The folios of Shakespeare, because of their incalculable impact on the language, thought and literature of our world, are the most desirable of all English language books, the prize of any collection.
From the Catalogue
“The Most Famous And Influential American Political Work”
HAMILTON, Alexander; MADISON, James; JAY, John. Federalist. New York, 1788.Two volumes bound in one. First edition of The Federalist, one of the rarest and most significant books in American political history, which “exerted a powerful influence in procuring the adoption of the Federal Constitution.” An exceptional copy in full contemporary sheep. $260,000.
“The Most Famous And Influential American Political Work”
HAMILTON, Alexander; MADISON, James; JAY, John. Federalist. New York, 1788.Two volumes bound in one. First edition of The Federalist, one of the rarest and most significant books in American political history, which “exerted a powerful influence in procuring the adoption of the Federal Constitution.” An exceptional copy in full contemporary sheep. $260,000.
“No Equal In American Literature”
MELVILLE, Herman. Moby Dick; or, The Whale. New York and London, 1851. First American edition, in scarce lovely unrestored original cloth, of Melville’s rare classic.$62,000.
MELVILLE, Herman. Moby Dick; or, The Whale. New York and London, 1851. First American edition, in scarce lovely unrestored original cloth, of Melville’s rare classic.$62,000.
Extraordinary Large Folio Hand-Colored Portraits Of Native Americans
MCKENNEY, Thomas and HALL, James. History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Philadelphia, 1838-44. Three volumes. The rare, monumental first folio edition of one of the landmarks of American history, an excellent copy complete with 120 bright and fully hand-colored lithographic plates after Charles Bird King’s original oil paintings.$175,000.
MCKENNEY, Thomas and HALL, James. History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Philadelphia, 1838-44. Three volumes. The rare, monumental first folio edition of one of the landmarks of American history, an excellent copy complete with 120 bright and fully hand-colored lithographic plates after Charles Bird King’s original oil paintings.$175,000.
“All Men Hate The Wretched; How Then, Must I Be Hated, Who Am Miserable Beyond All Living Things!”
SHELLEY, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. London, 1818. Three volumes. Exceedingly rare first edition of Mary Shelley’s horror masterpiece, handsomely bound.$168,000.
SHELLEY, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. London, 1818. Three volumes. Exceedingly rare first edition of Mary Shelley’s horror masterpiece, handsomely bound.$168,000.
The Cornerstone Of American Exploration
LEWIS, Meriwether and CLARK, William. History of the Expedition Under the Command. Philadelphia, 1814. Two volumes. Exceptionally rare first edition, one of only 1417 copies printed, of the definitive account of the most important exploration of the North American continent, with the famous large folding map of the course of the expedition and five in-text maps. $225,000.
LEWIS, Meriwether and CLARK, William. History of the Expedition Under the Command. Philadelphia, 1814. Two volumes. Exceptionally rare first edition, one of only 1417 copies printed, of the definitive account of the most important exploration of the North American continent, with the famous large folding map of the course of the expedition and five in-text maps. $225,000.
One Of The Greatest Illustrated Books Ever Published
SCHEDEL, Hartmann. Liber Chronicarum. Nuremberg, 12 July 1493. First edition of the extraordinary “Nuremberg Chronicle,” the most profusely illustrated book of the 15th century, featuring the first modern map of Europe, Ptolemy’s map of the world, and 1809 splendid woodcuts, including work by a young apprentice Albrecht Dürer. Table of contents with large letters beautifully colored in red and blue and first letter of text with large, beautiful 14-line illuminated initial in blue, red, green and gilt. Bound in splendid signed binding by the noted Spanish binder Brugalla. $178,000.
SCHEDEL, Hartmann. Liber Chronicarum. Nuremberg, 12 July 1493. First edition of the extraordinary “Nuremberg Chronicle,” the most profusely illustrated book of the 15th century, featuring the first modern map of Europe, Ptolemy’s map of the world, and 1809 splendid woodcuts, including work by a young apprentice Albrecht Dürer. Table of contents with large letters beautifully colored in red and blue and first letter of text with large, beautiful 14-line illuminated initial in blue, red, green and gilt. Bound in splendid signed binding by the noted Spanish binder Brugalla. $178,000.
About Us
Founded over 30 years ago by David and Natalie Bauman, Bauman Rare Books offers an extraordinary selection of fine books and autographs ranging from the 15th through the 20th centuries. With a reputation for meticulous research, an exceptional inventory, and an expert staff, Bauman Rare Books offers an extensive range of client services. We have built some of the finest collections in the country and we offer expert gift services to both individuals and corporations. Whatever your interests—milestones of American history, literary classics, landmarks in science and medicine, beloved children’s books—you are certain to find the right book at Bauman Rare Books.
Please visit our New York or Las Vegas galleries or our main office in Philadelphia. Our expert staff will be happy to discuss your interests and answer your questions.
New York gallery: 535 Madison Avenue, between 54th and 55th Streets, Monday-Saturday, 10-6.
Las Vegas gallery: The Shoppes at the Palazzo, Suite 2856, open daily, 10-11.
Philadelphia office: 1608 Walnut Street, 19th Floor, Monday-Friday, 9- 5.
1-800-99-BAUMAN www.baumanrarebooks.com
Founded over 30 years ago by David and Natalie Bauman, Bauman Rare Books offers an extraordinary selection of fine books and autographs ranging from the 15th through the 20th centuries. With a reputation for meticulous research, an exceptional inventory, and an expert staff, Bauman Rare Books offers an extensive range of client services. We have built some of the finest collections in the country and we offer expert gift services to both individuals and corporations. Whatever your interests—milestones of American history, literary classics, landmarks in science and medicine, beloved children’s books—you are certain to find the right book at Bauman Rare Books.Please visit our New York or Las Vegas galleries or our main office in Philadelphia. Our expert staff will be happy to discuss your interests and answer your questions.
New York gallery: 535 Madison Avenue, between 54th and 55th Streets, Monday-Saturday, 10-6.
Las Vegas gallery: The Shoppes at the Palazzo, Suite 2856, open daily, 10-11.
Philadelphia office: 1608 Walnut Street, 19th Floor, Monday-Friday, 9- 5.
1-800-99-BAUMAN www.baumanrarebooks.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)