Sounds like we are at similar stages of our book collecting life, but to my wife’s dismay, I haven’t acquired the discipline to limit my purchases to available shelf space- seems to me there is always room to fit in another bookcase somewhere, or some more shelves that could bear up being double stacked, or as a last resort, they can go into more storage boxes in the basement…. Every so often I ‘thin them out’… 50 books in, 10 books with too small print size out.
I didn't have Winters as a professor, but I remember the name. I did have William Cooper with his booming Southern accent for American history (two semesters) and Mark Carlton for Louisiana history. I tried to get into T. Harry Williams' seminar on the Civil War, but it was always open first to history majors. Carlton was something else; I took the course in 1971 when Bennett Johnston ("Mr Clean of the North") and Edwin Edwards ("Mr. Clean of the South") were the two favorites in a crowded field for governor. A true Louisiana character - a man named Puggy Moity - was in that group. His 9:30 a.m. Sunday TV broadcast (Baton Rouge channel, Channel 2 I think) was the single most popular TV program in the region. Carlton would offer his own commentary in class on Monday morning, and it would start with "And then there's Puggy Moity." No one could quite believe that Moity was allowed to get away with what he said about the other candidates, and not a single candidate ever sued him (I think he was or had been a sheriff in Livingston Parish). And I do exactly what you're doing -- collecting old books on particular subjects, replacing paperbacks, and rereading them cover to cover. I retrieved one package from the mailbox and started reading it standing in the garage.
Great memories, Glynn. Edwin Edwards was quite the character. I still recall the slogan when he ran his final campaign against the KKK guy, David Duke. "Vote for the crook, it matters."
Brian, this has nothing to do with collecting books, but the effect a teacher has on you. My favorite subject in high school was American History. My teacher was a fresh faced young liberal fresh out of college and married to a local girl, and with a new baby. He was a poorly disguised opponent of the Viet Nam War. Before a basketball game he and his wife either ignored the National Anthem, or refused to stand in protest. That didn't fly with the school board and he was informed the next day his contract would not be renewed. I learned from Robert Zimmerman two things: 1. Life is not fair. 2. There can be a high price to be paid for following your convictions. Thanks Bob! I am eternally in your debt.
Good spot. I am a fan of Opinel, both for their cost and quality. And, yes, there is a story behind that inscription. I wrote a piece many years ago which inspired a friend to give me that knife. I think maybe I'll rerun it on an upcoming "Throwback Thursday". Cheers,
"Serendipity seems an insufficient word to capture the cascade of coincidences I’m experiencing..."
There has to be a word for this uncanny experience not-so-rarely encountered in book collecting. It seems the sort of phrase that Christopher Morley should have coined. I once had the painful experience of liquidating the library of a former professor of lit at UC Riverside. He had an entire collection of advanced copies of novels written by former students, all inscribed to him. It was pretty amazing to see the influence he had.
Coincidentally, my father is a Tech alumnus and Southern history buff. I'm pretty sure he made me read Winter's book sometime in junior high, along with Dufour's "Ten Flags in the Wind" (though I finally rebelled when faced with Foote's 3 vol. narrative history of the Civil War). My grandfather taught art at Tech from the early 60s to the mid 80s. Small world.
Local Culture had an issue dedicated to John Lukacs last year. I had never read him so I ordered a cheap used copy of 'At the End of an Age' from a big U.S. clearing house (amongst other titles- I have no aversion to piling them up). The title page had a name and the letters 'LSU' inscribed. Turns out he was a long serving Distinguished Professor of Political Science there. It now resides half a world away. His underlining was infrequent and petered out early, so I guess he wasn't a Lukacs fan.
We sell Opinel in our store. Great steel and 'cheap enough to lose' is top of the features and benefits.
And, brother, I need them cheap enough to lose. I'm partial to the carbon blades offered on a few sizes. The #9 is my standard to carry on the farm.
Inscriptions are often interesting, like your Lukacs. Btw, my Lukacs was much the same for me, I was unfamiliar with him until the LC issue came out. I bought a cheap but massive tome of his writings. And there it sits a year later, mocking me from the unread pile. I haven't gotten close enough to see if another reader's note taking petered out.
Sounds like we are at similar stages of our book collecting life, but to my wife’s dismay, I haven’t acquired the discipline to limit my purchases to available shelf space- seems to me there is always room to fit in another bookcase somewhere, or some more shelves that could bear up being double stacked, or as a last resort, they can go into more storage boxes in the basement…. Every so often I ‘thin them out’… 50 books in, 10 books with too small print size out.
Though I seldom get as nice a personal find as you describe here….
Cindy chimed in from the other room, "that sounds all too familiar."
I didn't have Winters as a professor, but I remember the name. I did have William Cooper with his booming Southern accent for American history (two semesters) and Mark Carlton for Louisiana history. I tried to get into T. Harry Williams' seminar on the Civil War, but it was always open first to history majors. Carlton was something else; I took the course in 1971 when Bennett Johnston ("Mr Clean of the North") and Edwin Edwards ("Mr. Clean of the South") were the two favorites in a crowded field for governor. A true Louisiana character - a man named Puggy Moity - was in that group. His 9:30 a.m. Sunday TV broadcast (Baton Rouge channel, Channel 2 I think) was the single most popular TV program in the region. Carlton would offer his own commentary in class on Monday morning, and it would start with "And then there's Puggy Moity." No one could quite believe that Moity was allowed to get away with what he said about the other candidates, and not a single candidate ever sued him (I think he was or had been a sheriff in Livingston Parish). And I do exactly what you're doing -- collecting old books on particular subjects, replacing paperbacks, and rereading them cover to cover. I retrieved one package from the mailbox and started reading it standing in the garage.
Great memories, Glynn. Edwin Edwards was quite the character. I still recall the slogan when he ran his final campaign against the KKK guy, David Duke. "Vote for the crook, it matters."
Brian, this has nothing to do with collecting books, but the effect a teacher has on you. My favorite subject in high school was American History. My teacher was a fresh faced young liberal fresh out of college and married to a local girl, and with a new baby. He was a poorly disguised opponent of the Viet Nam War. Before a basketball game he and his wife either ignored the National Anthem, or refused to stand in protest. That didn't fly with the school board and he was informed the next day his contract would not be renewed. I learned from Robert Zimmerman two things: 1. Life is not fair. 2. There can be a high price to be paid for following your convictions. Thanks Bob! I am eternally in your debt.
It takes a strong man (or, woman) to stand for their convictions. Thanks for sharing.
Great essay Brian.
I love the Opinel knife in the photo.. they make great gifts, don't they? Can you shed any light on the We don't farm inscription....?
Good spot. I am a fan of Opinel, both for their cost and quality. And, yes, there is a story behind that inscription. I wrote a piece many years ago which inspired a friend to give me that knife. I think maybe I'll rerun it on an upcoming "Throwback Thursday". Cheers,
"Serendipity seems an insufficient word to capture the cascade of coincidences I’m experiencing..."
There has to be a word for this uncanny experience not-so-rarely encountered in book collecting. It seems the sort of phrase that Christopher Morley should have coined. I once had the painful experience of liquidating the library of a former professor of lit at UC Riverside. He had an entire collection of advanced copies of novels written by former students, all inscribed to him. It was pretty amazing to see the influence he had.
Coincidentally, my father is a Tech alumnus and Southern history buff. I'm pretty sure he made me read Winter's book sometime in junior high, along with Dufour's "Ten Flags in the Wind" (though I finally rebelled when faced with Foote's 3 vol. narrative history of the Civil War). My grandfather taught art at Tech from the early 60s to the mid 80s. Small world.
Thanks for sharing this, Peyton. Sounds like our families have trod some of the same ground. It truly is a small world, at times.
Ah, Christopher Morley. I have a very soft spot in my heart for his Haunted Bookshop series and his book collecting essays.
Cheers,
Great piece. I’ve had a lot of such serendipitous encounters with author dedications in used books from out of the way places.
City guidebooks from the 19th C to, say, 1960 are also grand.
Thanks. And, absolutely. The WPA city series (and the state guides) make for some fine reading, as well.
Local Culture had an issue dedicated to John Lukacs last year. I had never read him so I ordered a cheap used copy of 'At the End of an Age' from a big U.S. clearing house (amongst other titles- I have no aversion to piling them up). The title page had a name and the letters 'LSU' inscribed. Turns out he was a long serving Distinguished Professor of Political Science there. It now resides half a world away. His underlining was infrequent and petered out early, so I guess he wasn't a Lukacs fan.
We sell Opinel in our store. Great steel and 'cheap enough to lose' is top of the features and benefits.
Best Wishes
Duncan
And, brother, I need them cheap enough to lose. I'm partial to the carbon blades offered on a few sizes. The #9 is my standard to carry on the farm.
Inscriptions are often interesting, like your Lukacs. Btw, my Lukacs was much the same for me, I was unfamiliar with him until the LC issue came out. I bought a cheap but massive tome of his writings. And there it sits a year later, mocking me from the unread pile. I haven't gotten close enough to see if another reader's note taking petered out.
Cheers,
Brian
Lukacs is a fine, readable writer and an admirer of Berry and Barfield. Dip a toe in the water and see if he takes.
Let us know if that tariff wall gets too high and we can send you some cheap contraband No.9 in Carbon.