I have, like, 15 sets of the Encyclopedia Brittanica. All between 20 and 40 years old...(maybe older I'd have to check). Also, any 'complete set' of *anything* 15 books or larger (seriously, you'd all be AMAZED at how many volumes 'EarthWorks of the 40's' has) is mine. The more moldy and stinky, the more I'll pay. I'm sick.
Sitting on my desk right now, here at work, is a copy of the Ninth Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institute, 1854. 6000 were printed, I picked this one up for $15. I love this book... the writing is unbelievably full of promise and everything is bright, shiny, and new. There's a report on a survey for a rail line through the Pacific Northwest that hits many points near where I grew up. (And some interesting nomenclature changes. They make mention of a Kallispe Lake in Idaho. There's no such lake. But there is a Kallispell. What do you want to bet someone misread Kallispe L. on a map?) It's 463 pages of every bit of trivia and minutia from the first years of the Smithsonian's existence, including their complete budgetary reports from 1846 onward.
I adore it.
Anyone else want to fess up?
Hey Kicks -
Well, I don't like grungy books. I haven't actually gotten into the buying of antique books yet, mainly because I have my hands full just buying the new books that I already acquire hand over fist. I've had to quit going to Costco, because I have no control when I'm there, and snap up everything that interests me (and EVERYTHING interests me!).
From Encyclopedia Britannica, I have a 'reproduction' of what I think is their very first encyclopaedia (with stains and spots on the yellowed pages):
"Encyclopaedia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, compiled upon a new plan, in which the different sciences and arts are digefted into diftinct treatifes or syftems....By a Society of Gentlemen in Scotland, in three volumes. Edinburgh. MDCCLXXI."
I can't quite remember how to do the Roman numerals. What is that date?
I haven't had the leisure time to sit down and read these volumes, but someday I shall.
When I have time, I would very much like to read as many diaries and journals as possible from colonial and revolutionary America. I read parts of a colonial traveler's diary from a history laser disc, and it *really* fired up my imagination. A LOT! But I don't want to read stuff like that until I have time to immerse myself in it completely. And then, when I have soaked up massive amounts of information about the way it 'really' was back then - then I shall write - historical fiction probably. Looking forward to it. So I don't want to 'dabble' now. Does that make any sense to you?
I like what you said about everything seeming new and fresh, bright and hopeful. Makes us seem kinda jaded, huh? Alas. Our lost innocence.
Later, when I have crates of money - *then* I will start buying old and rare books. Honestly, I dare not even allow myself to go *in* the antiquarian shoppe here. It would be like waving a steak in front of a coyote. No control. And instant addiction to follow. (I know myself all too well. \ )
I would also like to read diaries and journals of german soldiers in WWI and WWII. I've seen some on amazon - just haven't started buying them yet. I'm fascinated by war, soldiers, military history, strategy and tactics of war.
I've bought all kinds of stuff about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Have been to Fort Clatsop SO many times. Have the journals, but haven't read them yet. Again - want time to soak them in.
P.S. Have you recovered from your days of no sleep yet?
I can't afford them very often but I'm a sucker for illustrated reference books with the old clay coat color plates.
I hardly care about the subject; bridges, bugs, mechanical engineering, maps, natural history, tool catalogues, medical texts....
There's just something about those solemn, archetypal presentations of the material world that I find very beautiful.
God yes. I love medical and natural history illustrated texts.
And maps. Gimme maps. I have a history of the Puget Sound area told through historical maps, from the earliest known representations through the various exploration maps, and on into present day satellite imagery.
Quote:
My weirdest book is an old Chinese mechanical drawing text in braille. I like to think of it as the least intelligible I own.
Thanks for your support. For several years now I've been considering purchasing a first edition of Christina Rossetti's 1862 collection of poems "Goblin Market & Other Poems" for about £300.
*hangs head in shame*
I'm really happy of my first edition of EB White's The Points of My Compass, though.
Thanks for your support. For several years now I've been considering purchasing a first edition of Christina Rossetti's 1862 collection of poems "Goblin Market & Other Poems" for about £300.
*hangs head in shame*
I'm really happy of my first edition of EB White's The Points of My Compass, though.
It's OK, man. It's just an illness. You're not a bad person.
I like collecting old architecture books, but they're mostly prohibitively expensive.
Same here. I've been trying to find a book documenting the Campidoglio from the National Academy of San Luca published in the 1960's. I'm sure it will be a couple hundred easy.
Comments
Originally posted by billybobsky
i prefer the term impassioned collector of all things verbal...
Like ticks?
Originally posted by shetline
Like ticks?
Actually, that would be all things oral.
Originally posted by Kickaha
Sitting on my desk right now, here at work, is a copy of the Ninth Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institute, 1854. 6000 were printed, I picked this one up for $15. I love this book... the writing is unbelievably full of promise and everything is bright, shiny, and new. There's a report on a survey for a rail line through the Pacific Northwest that hits many points near where I grew up. (And some interesting nomenclature changes. They make mention of a Kallispe Lake in Idaho. There's no such lake. But there is a Kallispell. What do you want to bet someone misread Kallispe L. on a map?) It's 463 pages of every bit of trivia and minutia from the first years of the Smithsonian's existence, including their complete budgetary reports from 1846 onward.
I adore it.
Anyone else want to fess up?
Hey Kicks -
Well, I don't like grungy books. I haven't actually gotten into the buying of antique books yet, mainly because I have my hands full just buying the new books that I already acquire hand over fist. I've had to quit going to Costco, because I have no control when I'm there, and snap up everything that interests me (and EVERYTHING interests me!).
From Encyclopedia Britannica, I have a 'reproduction' of what I think is their very first encyclopaedia (with stains and spots on the yellowed pages):
"Encyclopaedia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, compiled upon a new plan, in which the different sciences and arts are digefted into diftinct treatifes or syftems....By a Society of Gentlemen in Scotland, in three volumes. Edinburgh. MDCCLXXI."
I can't quite remember how to do the Roman numerals. What is that date?
I haven't had the leisure time to sit down and read these volumes, but someday I shall.
When I have time, I would very much like to read as many diaries and journals as possible from colonial and revolutionary America. I read parts of a colonial traveler's diary from a history laser disc, and it *really* fired up my imagination. A LOT! But I don't want to read stuff like that until I have time to immerse myself in it completely. And then, when I have soaked up massive amounts of information about the way it 'really' was back then - then I shall write - historical fiction probably. Looking forward to it. So I don't want to 'dabble' now. Does that make any sense to you?
I like what you said about everything seeming new and fresh, bright and hopeful. Makes us seem kinda jaded, huh?
Later, when I have crates of money
I would also like to read diaries and journals of german soldiers in WWI and WWII. I've seen some on amazon - just haven't started buying them yet. I'm fascinated by war, soldiers, military history, strategy and tactics of war.
I've bought all kinds of stuff about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Have been to Fort Clatsop SO many times. Have the journals, but haven't read them yet. Again - want time to soak them in.
P.S. Have you recovered from your days of no sleep yet?
Originally posted by Carol A
MDCCLXXI."
I can't quite remember how to do the Roman numerals. What is that date?
1771 (tut tut). The year of Kickaha's birth I do believe.
Originally posted by crazychester
1771 (tut tut). The year of Kickaha's birth I do believe.
No way!
He's a live wire of the first magnitude.
(Hey, Kicks, I'm stickin' up for ya!)
I hardly care about the subject; bridges, bugs, mechanical engineering, maps, natural history, tool catalogues, medical texts....
There's just something about those solemn, archetypal presentations of the material world that I find very beautiful.
My weirdest book is an old Chinese mechanical drawing text in braille. I like to think of it as the least intelligible I own.
Originally posted by crazychester
1771 (tut tut). The year of Kickaha's birth I do believe.
Ya young whippersnapper! I'll beat yah with mah cane!
Originally posted by midwinter
Is it OK if I don't want to talk about it?
We're here for ya, man.
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
Originally posted by addabox
I can't afford them very often but I'm a sucker for illustrated reference books with the old clay coat color plates.
I hardly care about the subject; bridges, bugs, mechanical engineering, maps, natural history, tool catalogues, medical texts....
There's just something about those solemn, archetypal presentations of the material world that I find very beautiful.
God yes. I love medical and natural history illustrated texts.
And maps. Gimme maps. I have a history of the Puget Sound area told through historical maps, from the earliest known representations through the various exploration maps, and on into present day satellite imagery.
My weirdest book is an old Chinese mechanical drawing text in braille. I like to think of it as the least intelligible I own.
?!?!?!
Wow.
Originally posted by Kickaha
We're here for ya, man.
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
Thanks for your support. For several years now I've been considering purchasing a first edition of Christina Rossetti's 1862 collection of poems "Goblin Market & Other Poems" for about £300.
*hangs head in shame*
I'm really happy of my first edition of EB White's The Points of My Compass, though.
Originally posted by midwinter
Thanks for your support. For several years now I've been considering purchasing a first edition of Christina Rossetti's 1862 collection of poems "Goblin Market & Other Poems" for about £300.
*hangs head in shame*
I'm really happy of my first edition of EB White's The Points of My Compass, though.
It's OK, man. It's just an illness. You're not a bad person.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
I like collecting old architecture books, but they're mostly prohibitively expensive.
Same here. I've been trying to find a book documenting the Campidoglio from the National Academy of San Luca published in the 1960's. I'm sure it will be a couple hundred easy.