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Browsers' Bookstore Newsletter for February, 2006

STORE NEWS

January has seen a very large influx of books, including the inventory from a former small bookstore, so be sure to spend some time browsing our "new arrivals" section. We have fallen a little behind on shelving, so don't be shy about going through some of the stacks that are lying around.

CORVALLIS LIBRARY SALE

Just a reminder to go to the Friends of the Corvallis Library Book Sale during the last weekend of Februrary! Hey, I can't beat their prices (except, of course, for our quarter books), so go get some great books and support our local library.

FUNDRAISING?

This month a local photography group pooled together some of its members' books and sold them to us for cash. Do you belong to a group or organization that could use some extra money? Let us help!

THIS MONTH'S HIGHLIGHTS

Get them while they last . . . We just got in a whole bunch of vintage postcards! Only 25 cents, and fun to mail to your friends.

Biggest surprise of the month:

1. Andy Warhol's Index (Book). 1967, First edition hardcover. A wild book, as to be expected from Warhol. Originally, this came with all sorts of pop-ups and miscellanea. Like most copies, this one is incomplete: it is missing the record, drop-in water tabs, balloon, and the 12-sided object. The accordian no longer squeaks, the Chelsea Girls disk is detached. What is both present and in working condition are: reflective cover, castle, bi-plane, Warhol's pop-up nose (!), and can of Hunt's tomato paste. $300.

My personal recommendation for the month:

2. The Nine Waxed Faces. by Francis Beeding. Beeding was an adventure writer of the 1920s-40s. His books are Hitchcockian espionage thrillers and are always fast-paced and exciting. Move over Dan Brown, here comes Beeding back from the dead! I love this guy! First edition, $8.99.

Two very different items:

3. Advertising the Contradictions. by Violet Ray. A book of photographic collages, combining magazine advertisements with violent or otherwise depressing photographs, many from the Vietnam war. A disturbing work. $10.

4. Kid Camping from Aaaaiii! to ZIP. By Patrick F. McManus. This is the second book (after A Fine and Pleasant Misery) from the ever-popular and light-hearted outdoors writer. A reprint, but signed and dated in 1985. A nice copy. $35.

And for the science fiction and fantasy collectors:

5. A Wizard of Earthsea. Ursula K. Le Guin. The first two printings of this book were made for libraries. The first printing was 6,800 copies, the later printings totaled almost 17,000 copies. This is a second printing, the book is 8-13/16" tall, which is the same as the first printing, and indicates a second state, along with a second state DJ which prints "11 up" and "Library Edition" stamped on front flap. Like virtually all of the first editions, this is a retired library book. Library stickers and pocket have been removed, a fresh mylar helps the dust jacket look sharp, but it still is noticeably an ex-library copy with usual reading wear. This is all technical information that is easy to bury yourself in, but the bottom line is: first edition, second printing. This is one of the greatest fantasies of the 20th century, and would be a real gem in a sci-fi/fantasy collection. $75.

6. Dune. Frank Herbert. The original book club edition (with the green cover.) $10.99

If sci-fi isn't your pace:

7. Plutarch's Lives (Limited Edition). A beautiful set from 1909, published by Little, Brown. This is a five-volume set in green cloth, high quality paper, with extra photogravure illustrations, top edge gilt, publication limited to 1000 copies. Wonderful books which would be a sensory delight to read (and great to show off.) $75.

8. Legends in Stone, Bone, and Wood. And Welcome the Caribou Man. by Gerard Rancourt Tsonakwa and Yolaikia Wapitaska. These artists, husband and wife, are from the Quebec/Northeastern U.S. area. Using stone, antler, bone, and wood, they create powerful masks and sculptures which draw from Indian social and spiritual traditions. The artists tell a little story regarding each piece: usually involving the myth or legend behind the piece, and sometimes just talking about the piece itself. Two neat books for anyone interested in art or Native American studies. $5.50 each.

And two books not in great condition, but still interesting:

9. Memoirs of Eminently Pious Women, 1835. By the Rev. Samuel Burder. 730 pages of short biographies of then-famous women, many of whom are now relegated to the footnotes of history. This is a fascinating book, but it has been through the wringer and looks about a century older than it is. $85

10. What? Dead . . . Again? By Neil Shulman. Ghost-written by Carl Hiaasen years before he published anything under his own name! At least, that's the bookseller super-rumor. The more official rumor (only official because it's in print) is that he is the co-author. The book does indeed thank Hiaasen, "whose efforts made this book possible," but he is not credited on Hiaasen's or Shulman's official website in any way. But wait - there's more! This book is the basis for the movie "Doc Hollywood" starring Michael J. Fox! Great connections for a book you might normally overlook. Ex-library, $35

COMING UP NEXT MONTH (OR SO)

Tax season is upon me in a major way, so I'm keeping this newsletter short. Coming up soon: book repairs, staff changes, BIG news for the store (still only at confirmed gossip stage now), sidewalk sale, new stuff on the website, and more! Stay tuned!

Scott Givens

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