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About the Book Arts


"A book is a collection of leaves of paper, parchment or other material, bound together along one edge within covers. A book is also a literary work or a main division of such a work. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book. In library and information science, a book is called a monograph to distinguish it from serial publications such as magazines, journals or newspapers. A lover of books is usually referred to as a bibliophile, a bibliophilist, or a philobiblist. The oral account (word of mouth, tradition, hearsay) is the oldest carrier of messages and stories. When writing systems were invented in ancient civilizations, clay tablets or parchment scrolls were used as, for example, in the library of Alexandria." (--From Wikipedia.com, the online encyclopedia.)



Basbanes, Nicholas A. A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books. New York: Henry Holt, 1995. First Ed. With the best bibliography on book collecting in 25 years. Sumptuous. As new. Book #00246. $28.00

Search abebooks for
Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books
Basbanes, Nicholas A.
New York:
Henry Holt & Company, 1995

The passion to possess books has never been more widespread than it is today; obsessive book collecting remains the only hobby to have a disease named after it. Here is the richly anecdotal record of an adventure among the afflicted, combining historical research with investigative journalism -- a celebration of books and the people who have revered, gathered, and preserved them through the centuries.

Cockerell, Douglas. Bookbinding and the Care of Books. First printed in 1901, this paperback reprint was published by Lyons & Burford, Great Britain, printed in U.S. 1991. "Cockerell was perhaps the premier bookbinder of the early 20th century. Classic exposition of the bookbinder's art." Paperback reprint. As new. Book #00485. $15.00

Goudy, Frederic W. The Alphabet. New York: Dorset Press by arrangement with the University of California Press, 1989. "Perhaps no one person has ever so profoundly influenced typemaking as this man who quietly, purposefully, and full-heartedly held to his high principles of craftsmanship." Red cover, black spine, gilt. w/d. j. Another sumptuous Dorset reprint. As new. Book #00506. $22.00

Jackson, Holbrook. The Book About Books: The Anatomy of Bibliomania. New York: Avenel/Crown Books by arrangement with Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1981. Renowned book enthusiast Holbrook traces the historical pageant of the book and the associated pleasures -- good company, food, beverage, desire, love -- and the bibliomaniac's thrill of the chase. A very fine reprint, red and gilt. No dust cover. A treasure trove (a fine companion volume to Nicholas Basbanes' A GENTLE MADNESS. See above). Excellent condition. Book #00164. $25.00

Jackson, Holbrook. William Morris. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing, 1971. Hardcover. Fine. "Originally published in 1908 and 1926 by Jonathan Cape, Ltd., London," here is the "First Greenwood Reprinting, 1971" (itself scarce). This is the American reissue of the revised/expanded 1926 edition (William Morris, Socialist Craftsman [#3 in the Social Reformers series]). When first he’d been asked to prepare a new edition of his study of William Morris,the author, bookman Holbrook Jackson, believed no more than a few minor corrections to the edition of 1908 would be necessary. That proved to be a major miscalculation. In the end, four new chapters were added, one of them being all about Morris's prodigious literary work. Book #01275. $85.00.


Search abebooks for
American Book Design and William Morris
Thompson, Susan Otis
New York:
R.R. Bowker Company, 1977;
New Castle, Delaware:
Oak Knoll, 1996 (expanded)

This landmark study is the first to document in depth the real extent of William Morris' influence on American bookmaking. A unique, profusely illustrated contribution to American intellectual and cultural history, it will appeal not only to book designers, art historians, typographers, and graphic artists, but also to book collectors and students of literature. The book includes a wonderful, extensive bibliography.

McMurtry, Douglas C. The Book: The Story of Printing and Bookmaking. New York: Dorset Press by arrangement with Oxford University Press, 1989. Illustrated. "This book tells the romantic and fascinating story of one of mankind's greatest achievements -- the printed book." Elegant brown and black cover, gilt, with handsome d.j. Sumptuous reprint. As new. Book #00242. $25.00

Chappell, Warren A Short History of the Printed Word. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1970. First edition. Hardcover. Elegant pumpkin-brown and black cloth, gilt. Profusely and beautifully illustrated. From Gutenberg to America's Updike, Rogers, and Goudy. "This book will awaken in all who read it a new sensitivity, a new ability to judge the art surrounding us as we are surrounded by the ubiquitous printed word." First edition. As new. No d.j. Book #01201. $25.00

Thomas, Alan. Fine Books. New York: Putnam,1967. Engaging and informative. Gorgeous sky blue cover, with splendid, full-color dust jacket. B&W and color illustrations throughout. Exc. condition. Book #00213. $19.00




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