Confessions of a Bibliophile

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.

For the love of books

I love books!

I love old books, I love new books,

I love pink books, I love blue books... I feel like a touch of Dr. Seuss coming on...

I love children's books, I love books about history, about life, even about love. Not soppy romances, but about people who have loved without restraint. People who have loved to such an extent that it cost them their life, cost them something. Whether it means loving a person, or a cause, or even oneself. I love books about justice, and about courage. I love books about poetry, civil rights, crime and of course, the criminal mind. I love the fact that books can take me to countries that I have never had the chance to visit and books can even can teach me things about life that others may have had to learn the hard way.

I love the look of older books, but my fascination doesn't end there. I love to hold an old book and wonder about how many other people have passed through time holding this same book. Rare books are exquisite! Covered in leather, or maybe suede, or cloth with intricate gold detail. They were made to last a lifetime, unlike the cheap paperbacks of today that you just know will be discarded as soon as the book is finished. These old books were made - not as a financial investment as many have now become - but because people cherished books, sort knowledge, and desired to gain wisdom. It was a time without the technological advances that we now enjoy, the advances that now enable me to announce this post to the world, and the same advances can easily steal precious moment of our lives. Of course, these same things can enhance our lives, in making communication with family and friends easier, and the ability to find sort after books much easier, but on the other hand just how many hours are wasted in front of the television, or on the internet - time that could be spent savouring, devouring the words within a good book.

Book Worm defined:

1. One who spends much time reading or studying.
2. Any of various insects, especially booklice and silverfish, that infest books and feed on the paste in the bindings.

Well, I guess that definition manages to convey the point that I am trying to make in this blog, and that is that I love everything about books! I want to smell them, touch them, read them, to totally lose myself in them and then to return them to the rows and rows of books that line my shelves.

Yes, I do love books AND I am the Book Worm.