Treasure Hunting

Apr 1, 2012

Books(s) of the Week – Nurse Matilda by Christianna Brand {4}


We found these little treasures on a book hunting trip today. Actually, Craig found them, the scoundrel. I was clutching a rather large haul of children’s books and feeling pleased with myself when Craig appeared with these two tiny books.

They were well hidden. These books measure a pocket-sized 10×16 cm, and have beautiful gilt-embossed covers, decorated by one of my favourite illustrators Edward Ardizzone. I have never seen the original format before, only later paperbacks and re-issues so I was very excited to have finally found one (or two)

Read More (290 words, 9 images, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)

By Category: Children's Books, Collectable Books, Treasure Hunting Tags: , , , , , ,

Nov 27, 2011

Our Bookshelf: Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe {0}

This one is not technically from my bookshelf, although it has a lot of sentimental value to me. This one if from Craig’s shelf, considerably smaller than mine as he generally only keeps books that I buy him. One book he had purchased and kept, however, was this Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe illustrated by Harry Clarke, from the early 1930′s.

When we opened the book shop in Parkdale, we put some glass cabinets at the front to serve as a counter and house some of our rare books. Craig added his copy of Tales of Mystery and Imagination to the collection, and then printed cards for each book in the cabinet.

Read More (561 words, 6 images, estimated 2:15 mins reading time)

By Category: Collectable Books, Olga's Bookshelf, Treasure Hunting Tags: , , ,

Nov 13, 2011

Book of the Week: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl 1967 {4}

James and the Giant Peach was always my favourite Roald Dahl book when I was a kid. Yes, I liked it more than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Twits, and even a little more than Fantastic Mr. Fox. I must have read it at least 25 years ago for the first time. I read it over and over, a battered old Puffin copy that has long since disappeared, and been replaced, and read over and over again. And why James? It was the Peach. And Quentin Blake’s wonderful illustrations.

Read More (140 words, 6 images, estimated 34 secs reading time)

By Category: Children's Books, Collectable Books, Treasure Hunting, Vintage Books Tags: , , , , ,

Nov 6, 2011

Book of the Week – Lasseter’s Last Ride 1931, First Edition by Ion L. Idriess {0}

This week’s best book I am going to have to hand to Craig. Every bookseller loves to find an Ion Idriess, as much as the collectors. Fittingly discovered on a hellishly long exploration of the countryside, (thankfully in a car and not on camels) Craig was trying to show me this while I was absorbed in a pile of dusty old kid’s books and kept impatiently waving him away.

Read More (270 words, 4 images, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)

By Category: Collectable Books, Treasure Hunting Tags: , , , , ,