Wilfrid Posted January 12, 2024 Share Posted January 12, 2024 Although I have a zillion books, I have never regarded myself as a collector. I mean the kind of person who targets specific fields of literature and hunts down first editions and rare volumes. The sort of person who can get to the third floor of the Grolier Club. Yes, I have randomly picked up some rare stuff and some signed volumes over the years, mainly inadvertently. My most valuable volume is almost certainly a 1957 novel largely pulped by its publishers for political reasons. But oh dear, I am in it now. I was very lucky to be able to buy John Ashbery’s poetry collections, as they were published, and while he was still with us and writing. I have been doing the same with new volumes from the great British poet Jeremy Prynne. Here’s the difference. Ashbery published with mainstream publishers like FSG and his new books were always in Barnes & Noble. Prynne has long worked with small publishers, no promotion or bookshop sales, and often in very limited editions (150 copies). Through fascination, attention and speed (and getting to know the publishers) I have managed to collect everything he has published since 1997 (and it’s a lot). This month I have found myself going back and hunting for the earlier work and honestly spending quite a lot to acquire it. I have no doubt the investment is superbly sound. My daughter will thank me one day. Yes, I am a book collector. I just need to be nominated for the Grolier Club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted January 12, 2024 Share Posted January 12, 2024 I always wonder if heirs appreciate your obscure finds and their value. Do you have to leave them notes to explain? How does it all play out? Sold off, given away, left in a Public Storage unit? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchW Posted January 12, 2024 Share Posted January 12, 2024 6 hours ago, hollywood said: Sold off, given away, left in a Public Storage unit? A. Especially if it will help on a down payment for something. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfrid Posted January 12, 2024 Author Share Posted January 12, 2024 8 hours ago, hollywood said: I always wonder if heirs appreciate your obscure finds and their value. Do you have to leave them notes to explain? How does it all play out? Sold off, given away, left in a Public Storage unit? No question. I will leave detailed instructions. Assuming I don't get hit by a bus today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backyardchef Posted January 12, 2024 Share Posted January 12, 2024 I almost got sucked in by Raymond Carver and a few others-- Muriel Rukeyser comes to mind. But I couldn't really afford to be anything more than a tourist in that world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfrid Posted January 12, 2024 Author Share Posted January 12, 2024 Right. I went to the big antiquarian book fair in the Park Avenue Armory last year. Lots of great stuff to see, but really $300 and up per item. Many in four or five figures. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve R. Posted February 29, 2024 Share Posted February 29, 2024 On 1/12/2024 at 1:55 AM, hollywood said: I always wonder if heirs appreciate your obscure finds and their value. Do you have to leave them notes to explain? How does it all play out? Sold off, given away, left in a Public Storage unit? Thinking the exact same thing, we made a list of all the things we own that our inheritors might not realize are worth paying attention to when figuring out how to best cash in and spend our lifetime accumulation of "stuff". Rare or signed books, vinyl, art, Navajo weavings and of course my 1st edition copy of Leff's "The Eclectic Gourmet Guide to Greater NYC" (should've had him sign it - or at least put his paw print). They're just around, alongside stuff that will be worth nothing once our memories of them aren't attached. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchW Posted March 1, 2024 Share Posted March 1, 2024 5 hours ago, Steve R. said: Leff's "The Eclectic Gourmet Guide to Greater NYC" (should've had him sign it - or at least put his paw print) Wait!! Did he die too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve R. Posted March 1, 2024 Share Posted March 1, 2024 Not that I know of. It was just a listing of my most valuable possessions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfrid Posted March 1, 2024 Author Share Posted March 1, 2024 That made me look him up. He is still churning it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfrid Posted March 1, 2024 Author Share Posted March 1, 2024 I have to admit, this is funny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve R. Posted March 1, 2024 Share Posted March 1, 2024 (edited) That was great! "this is just afternoon tea... is he gonna have an entire water buffalo for dinner"? 😂 Edited March 1, 2024 by Steve R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfrid Posted March 1, 2024 Author Share Posted March 1, 2024 I don’t associate Leff with big laughs. I should scroll back and see if he’s done any more of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voyager Posted March 1, 2024 Share Posted March 1, 2024 Much closer to the "final distribution" than the rest of you, this weighs on my mind at every turn. Husband and I, each in our own genre, have accumulated much "stuff". Much our son and progeny have laid claim to, but maybe much more is in that category of "you gotta understand It's history". Listen up! There will be one hell of an estate sale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfrid Posted March 2, 2024 Author Share Posted March 2, 2024 My daughter fantasizes about taking over my whole library. That would be nuts. It’s just too big. Take the valuable stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneakeater Posted March 14, 2024 Share Posted March 14, 2024 (edited) [mispost] Edited March 14, 2024 by Sneakeater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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