I found this great clip on Squidoo (and Youtube) and just knew that all you Gorey fans would love it. I think it was created by a talented artist who goes by the name 'Squidoo 23' and it is based on one of Gorey's most well known books, The Gastlecrumb Ginies. Enjoy!
My obsession continues to grow...
Since starting this page my interests in the kind of books I collect has definitely evolved.
My collection began with Virginia Woolf, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Edgar Allan Poe and various books on poetry. As you well know, my interests were to eventually include the numerous works of Edward Gorey; too numerous for this blog which is why I felt the need to devote a blog entirely to Edward Gorey. I have a long way to go to complete my Gorey collection but all good things take time, and money.
As much as I love older, more weathered books, I decided that I wanted to start collecting works from some of the more modern authors/illustrators that I was becoming interested in. So I have since ventured into a wider collection including, but not limited to, children's books, such authors/illustrators as Lemony Snicket & Brett Helguist, Philip Ardagh (who I just happened to bump into in Third Place Books in Seattle by some strange twist of fate), Gris Grimly, and Roman Dirge.
I am overwhelmed by the endless stream of talented and creative people whose books I must now collect...here is just a small sample of their work to entice you.
This is Eddie, just one of the many interesting characters created by Philip Ardagh.
This illustration is of 'Ruby Gloom' by the creative genius Gris Grimly, as is the image here of 'Lulu and puppy'.
The Little Prince
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I am have become an avid Ebayer. Well, I
decided to try my hand at selling a few months ago, and I must
add that I am enjoying myself immensely. The book pictured here is 'The
Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupery and was my first 'big' sale on Ebay! I
have been lucky and purchased books from garage sales and second hand book dealers for a few dollars, which have
sold for $10-$20 or even $80. My philosophy is that any sale is better than no sale, but this sale was so much more than even I anticipated.
One sunny afternoon I stumbled into one of my favorite book haunts (I cannot divulge the name of this book dealer as I would be giving away trade secrets) and I stumbled across this copy of 'The Little Prince'. I must plead ignorance as I have never read the book, but I have done my research and knew that a first edition is quite a collectible; a signed first edition much more so. Well, this copy wasn't signed but it was a first edition noted by the publisher Reynal & Hitchcock. Of course, just knowing the first edition publisher doesn't necessarily mean that this book was a first edition and first printing, as there are other points of issue that need to be present, which makes hunting for rare books quite a daunting task. But I thought, that for $5 I can't really go wrong, if nothing else, I will end up with a lovely copy of a classic for my collection.
After checking Ebay, as well as antiquarian book dealer websites, it appears
that this actually is a first edition/first printing of the 'The Little Prince' by
Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Well, aren't I lucky. Alas, I proceeded to
list the book on Ebay, at a starting bid of only $149.00. So to cut a long story short, I managed to sell the book for $500!! Not too bad for a beginner.
I could go on too tell you that I packed the book into a box, shipped it via UPS, and everyone was happy, but the story takes an unexpected turn for the worse. Hey, but lets just leave it at that, lets just have a happy ending this once. Leave the 'unexpected turn of events' for another time, another blog. I managed to spend $5 and make $500. Let me take a moment to pat myself on the back! Good going Faith (oops! I mean Raven; now you all know who I am). Oh well, till next time.
Literary brilliance of Virginia Woolf
I have decided to add Virginia Woolf to my book collecting
frenzy, yes, some days it is a lot like a frenzy of sorts. It is like
that old saying, the calm before the storm. All I know is one
minute everything is calm, no problems, and then, in a flash, I have
decided to check out something by Virginia Woolf. One thing leads to
another, and the next thing I know I am possessed by the urge to collect all the books I want, need, can afford by Virginia Woolf, for my collection. Of course this is impossible. Really, I don't want
every single book that has ever been printed, just all of her titles,
preferably first editions. But due to the fact that I do not have
thousands of dollars to spend on one book, I must settle for first editions of
later publishings or first editions that may be a little
rough around the edges.
Hey, maybe I am just slightly obsessive compulsive? But it is impossible not to be obsessed after reading anything by Ms. Woolf who had the power to memorize and export one to another world; the world where her characters reside.
I know that after reading about the successful suicide attempt of Virginia Woolf, I feel that I need to do something to honor her. As I read and collect her books I feel that in some way I am making her death amount to something. Yes, this may sound crazy and it is horrible to think of her dying in vain, although her literary genius should and most definitely does count for something. But even this is irrelevant, as it does not make it any easier for those who lost the presence of someone who contributed so much to the literary world. The demand for her books within the world of the bibliophile is awe-inspiring. I really wish she was here to see the full impact that her work has had on the world. I also wish that she could have found a solution to the psychologically and spiritual disarray that she experienced while alive.
May you finally rest in peace Virginia.
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