Comments (0) Saw this great post on the classic 5 types of book dealer drafted up by the gent over on the Bookride blog and had to pass it along. Complete with the Depp’s Corsoesque “Raffish Hustler”, the descriptions certainly brought a smile to my face as I mentally slotted a number of sellers I know into each type. Also worth checking out is their Slang of the Book Trade section.
If you happen to be in Montreal this weekend, the 26th Montreal Antiquarian Book Fair is taking place at Concordia University (Pavillon McConnel, 1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd W.) Saturday 12pm-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Admission is $6 for the two days.
I got this book about a year ago with a large lot of Sci-fi and have always kept it off to the side as a go to now and then for a good chuckle. I’ve mentioned it to a few friends, but feel it is time to do a post. I read it again this afternoon, as the tag line, Complete with Everything: Aliens, Giant Ants, Space Cadets, Robots, One Plucky Girl, has a certain charm to it that I can’t resist. Coupled with the fact that it’s all crammed into 60pgs, how can it be a miss for an afternoon ride on the bus!
Apparently Jove did 4 No-Frills titles (Science Fiction, Western, Mystery & Romance), all plain covered, 60pg, over-priced and loaded with tongue-in-cheek generic pulp fiction.  The book pretty much nicks a number of ideas (now essentially cliched) from well known novels and weaves them into a fast-paced adventure with a young Captain Kirkish like protagonist. Just for fun, I tracked down the original NY Times review of the No-Frills series in which the reviewer sums the books up perfectly when he/she (much like the authors of the No-Frills books, the reviewer also decided to remain anonymous) said:
“On one side, these books actually satisfy the need for a garbage read. And, on the other side, they make the childish psychology and esthetics of their genres so clear that you may never read another piece of junk as long as you live.”
Not exactly a highly recommended read, but certainly worth the 1/2hr ride to purge and reset the system after feasting on some heavier literature.Â
Passed my way by a fellow Ottawa Press Gang member, these Youtube videos (Part I & Part II) on how to do a coptic stitch binding for your books are very well done providing an excellent level of instruction, demonstration and pacing.  The videos are easy to follow and understand for those looking to try their hand at coptic bound books.
It’s been over a week since my last post as my recent venture into full-time parenting, while extremely enjoyable, has been very time consuming (just started parental leave). Emma and I have had a blast hanging out every day together, particularly since she is at the age where everything is adventure and intrigue. She’s fearless, has boundless energy and looking to try/do everything (a combo to wipe-out any parent), as proven by the Emma Knievel pic below*.
So with a couple of weeks under my belt, I’m into the swing of things and should be able to post away whilst she reenergizes (a.k.a. nap time).
PS: Forgot to post last week about the books sales in Ottawa. The Legion sale was apparently quite good (thanks to Andrew & Harry who scouted out a box of goodies for us) last weekend and the Friends of the Library Sale is on this weekend at St. Laurent Shopping Centre until 6pm tonight and again tomorrow (Sunday) 11-5.
These beautifully letterpressed broadsides (13″ x 19″), entitled Unexplored Coutry, were printed by Alex Widen at the Alden Press in early 2009.  The broadsides came in over the summer while our website was down and they completely slipped my mind until now.Â
The broadsides were printed in a limited edition of 60 for Al Purdy Day (April 21,2009) and consist of three never before published poems by Purdy which were written while in hospital battling his illness. They are presented with a preface from the printer which is accompanied by a wood engraving by Jim Rimmer is a simple presentation folder with letterpressed titles. We manage to acquire a couple sets at the shop, thanks to Alex, and have them for sale in our shop for the suggested retail price of $125.00.
The September issue of Fine Books and Collections has an excellent Special Report article on the history of star mapping and the rise of the celestial map in the 16th century. Even cooler is that the article is written by local Library & Archives senior archivist Jeffrey Murray (author of Terra Nostra, 1550-1950: The Stories behind Canada’s Maps) and contains a number of beautiful celestial map images from Canada’s own Library & Archives collection.
The 29th Ottawa Antiquarian Bookfair is on again this year with a few changes. It will now just be held on one day, Sunday October 4th, and at a new location – Tudor Hall (Riverside & Uplands). We’ll be there again this year with a booth full of fresh stock and interesting acquisitions from the past few months, so be sure to check it out. Flyers (as seen below) can be found in most bookstores across town.
Panorama theme by Themocracy
