This Morning's Work

This morning was another early one, up at 6.30 to take in two large Car Boot
sales.

The first appeared quite dissapointing at first - but my luck found its feet
in the 4th row of cars - 10 Volume complete set of Archibald Alison's
History of Europe during the French Revolution - Blackwood 1833-42 - Later
found out to be a 1st edition. Half red morrocco, all bindings near fine
except Volume 1 that needs a slight bit of attention, a rebacking that I may
be able to complete myself.

And what did I pay for such a treasure (2 feet worth of leather bindings is
about £120 at the going rate), £2.50 - 2 and a half gold coins.....I was
amazed. The binding is plain with gilt titling and cloth boards, 5 raised
bands to spine - executed by one Henry Young of Liverpool (any info on this
chap?). I'll try and get a photograph of these up in a day or two to
illustrate the set.

The next row along provided a signeed UK fine first of Wildtrack, Signed by
Bernard Cornwell to the title page, as well as a nice first, sadly without
dustwrapper, of Wodehouse's A Century of Humour. Final purchase for the day
was 'To The Farthest Ends of the Earth - A History of the Royal Geographical
Society' - a book I have wanted to read for a while, as the RGS ties up all
the loose ends that my travel book collection consists off.

Hope today proved equally fruitful for other bibliomaniacs.

Cheers,

Tom L-M

"Tom L-M" wrote in message
...

This morning was another early one, up at 6.30 to take in two large Car
Boot
sales.

[. . .]

Hope today proved equally fruitful for other bibliomaniacs.


Yesterday I attended the Baltimore Summer Antiquarian Book Fair for the
first time:

http://www.baltimoresummerantiques.com/book_fair_up.htm

The fair is held in conjunction with a BIG antiques show, which I found to
be rather nice, not least because the book dealers brought a lot of books on
antiques and other collectibles.

There were about 60 dealers and although it seemed a little slow when I was
there (Saturday afternoon of a 3-day, Friday-Sunday fair), I found it a very
congenial fair.

In any event, I made one purchase for my convertiana collection: a copy of
the limited edition of the posthumous AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF KNUTE K. ROCKNE
(1931), signed by Rockne's widow and the editor.

I later found out that the price I paid was exactly right for the condition
of the copy I got AND simultaneously I sold online a signed copy of an
important book in the field of the history and philosophy of science for
EXACTLY the price I paid for the Rockne. All things (well, at least those 2
things) in balance.


William M. Klimon
http://www.catholicbookcollector.com