Authors. Writers. Literary Figures.

[Therion]

Ok, finally got the two in that I was waiting on.

Along with my Philip Roth, Joseph Heller, Joan Didion, and, of course, Kurt Vonnegut signed books, these two nearly complete my Greatest Post-War American Authors signed book collection. I do have my eye on one more, but we will see if I get it.

First, a wonderful and limited item of one of my favorite post-war American authors, Gore Vidal:

This is a great looking volume, complete with sturdy slipcase. Vidal writes amazing stuff and this one is one of my favorites in his American history cycle. It is hand-numbered 172 out of 250.

Then, a book I thought would be wonderful, but the unbelievably oppressive cigarette smell immensely takes away from my enjoyment.

That being said, here is the tarnished tome. An otherwise wonderful Franklin Library signed The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer:


Will post in here if I decide to get the next in my G.P.W.A.A. collection...

Well, that sucks. But I am here to save the day. I have two different solutions. Yes, I've had to remove random smells from more books than I care to admit. I wish cigarette odor was the worst of them.

The first option works best. Take a plastic container and cover the bottom with baking soda. Put four blocks at least six inches tall in each corner. Set your oven rack (or anything with large gaps that will not damage a book if you set the book on it) on those four blocks. Set your book on the rack. Depending on how set in the odor is, this can take two weeks to work. Usually takes no more than three days. Every day, empty the old baking soda and replace with new.

The second option is your old friend charcoal. Wrap some charcoal in an old shirt or any fabric that it won't physically go through but which has small holes in it. Socks work well too. Put your book flat in a brown paper bag. Set the wrapped charcoal on top of your book. Again, usually takes around three days. Replace the charcoal daily.

Thanks, Billy. Have tried variations on those, but will use your tips to try with this one.

Did this do the trick for you?

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Going to take a chance and write to Gore Vidal...

 

[JackLondon]

Ok, finally got the two in that I was waiting on.

Along with my Philip Roth, Joseph Heller, Joan Didion, and, of course, Kurt Vonnegut signed books, these two nearly complete my Greatest Post-War American Authors signed book collection. I do have my eye on one more, but we will see if I get it.

First, a wonderful and limited item of one of my favorite post-war American authors, Gore Vidal:

This is a great looking volume, complete with sturdy slipcase. Vidal writes amazing stuff and this one is one of my favorites in his American history cycle. It is hand-numbered 172 out of 250.

Then, a book I thought would be wonderful, but the unbelievably oppressive cigarette smell immensely takes away from my enjoyment.

That being said, here is the tarnished tome. An otherwise wonderful Franklin Library signed The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer:


Will post in here if I decide to get the next in my G.P.W.A.A. collection...

Well, that sucks. But I am here to save the day. I have two different solutions. Yes, I've had to remove random smells from more books than I care to admit. I wish cigarette odor was the worst of them.

The first option works best. Take a plastic container and cover the bottom with baking soda. Put four blocks at least six inches tall in each corner. Set your oven rack (or anything with large gaps that will not damage a book if you set the book on it) on those four blocks. Set your book on the rack. Depending on how set in the odor is, this can take two weeks to work. Usually takes no more than three days. Every day, empty the old baking soda and replace with new.

The second option is your old friend charcoal. Wrap some charcoal in an old shirt or any fabric that it won't physically go through but which has small holes in it. Socks work well too. Put your book flat in a brown paper bag. Set the wrapped charcoal on top of your book. Again, usually takes around three days. Replace the charcoal daily.

Thanks, Billy. Have tried variations on those, but will use your tips to try with this one.

Did this do the trick for you?

Limited success. Going to try a couple more treatments with the baking soda.

Just want it to get to the point where I don't feel like my Uncle Ed is visiting everytime I walk near the bookcase.

 

[JackLondon]

Going to take a chance and write to Gore Vidal...

Good luck!

Fascinating writer and a true American literary treasure.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Going to take a chance and write to Gore Vidal...

Good luck!

Fascinating writer and a true American literary treasure.

Thanks!

I have found his addy and see some "recent" successes... so I will send him a pair of indexes and hope for the best.

 

[JackLondon]

Got another treasure in today!

Signed First Edition of Libra by Don Delillo. Would have loved to get a signed copy of his masterpiece, Underworld, but it is way too pricey for me.

Delillo is one of the greatest Postmodern American authors and if you haven't read Underworld before, do yourself a favor and read it. It will renew any lost faith in today's literary world.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Just wrote to Mr. Vidal... The letter was very cheesy... but I did the best I could with what I had.

Usually I send 2 index cards, this time I am only sending 1. If I get it back, it will definitely be a frame/mat

 

[Therion]

Just wrote to Mr. Vidal... The letter was very cheesy... but I did the best I could with what I had.

Usually I send 2 index cards, this time I am only sending 1. If I get it back, it will definitely be a frame/mat

If you aren't sending books, I would HIGHLY recommend bookplates. It is considered inferior to a book directly signed but non-hardcore collectors really don't care.

 

[Tedw9]

Just wrote to Mr. Vidal... The letter was very cheesy... but I did the best I could with what I had.

Usually I send 2 index cards, this time I am only sending 1. If I get it back, it will definitely be a frame/mat

If you aren't sending books, I would HIGHLY recommend bookplates. It is considered inferior to a book directly signed but non-hardcore collectors really don't care.

That is great advice you should follow. At least with a book plate you have the option of framing it as is or putting it into your favorite book of that author.

You may want to also poke around authors web sites as some offer signed book plates by mail for free. A few years ago I was able to get 3 David Baldacci signed book plates just for sending an email. And their web sites would give you a good idea if they do sign by mail, and if they do, where to send the item.



JackLondon, you continue to impress! Nice score on the Don Delillo book. I got to ask, do you find these books locally, or do you buy them online?

 

[Therion]

Also got two signed 1st of Dogs of Babel but I don't scan books. Damages the spines. I'll try to take pictures later.

If you haven't read Dogs of Babel, go buy it right now. Parkhurst is going to be one of those authors that ten years from now we'll all wonder how we missed her sitting right in front of us.

 

[JackLondon]

Just wrote to Mr. Vidal... The letter was very cheesy... but I did the best I could with what I had.

Usually I send 2 index cards, this time I am only sending 1. If I get it back, it will definitely be a frame/mat

If you aren't sending books, I would HIGHLY recommend bookplates. It is considered inferior to a book directly signed but non-hardcore collectors really don't care.

That is great advice you should follow. At least with a book plate you have the option of framing it as is or putting it into your favorite book of that author.

You may want to also poke around authors web sites as some offer signed book plates by mail for free. A few years ago I was able to get 3 David Baldacci signed book plates just for sending an email. And their web sites would give you a good idea if they do sign by mail, and if they do, where to send the item.



JackLondon, you continue to impress! Nice score on the Don Delillo book. I got to ask, do you find these books locally, or do you buy them online?

The Franklin Library, Vidal and Don Delillo were ebay purchases. Many of the others were either inperson or found at used bookshops.

I am moving almost completely toward signed books and historical autographs.

I still collect Carew and Fregosi and some random baseball stuff, but am really enjoying specializing in books now.

 

[JackLondon]

Also got two signed 1st of Dogs of Babel but I don't scan books. Damages the spines. I'll try to take pictures later.

If you haven't read Dogs of Babel, go buy it right now. Parkhurst is going to be one of those authors that ten years from now we'll all wonder how we missed her sitting right in front of us.

Nice one, Billy. Haven't read her stuff yet, but will check it out.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Good advice guys, I will look into book plates before sending anymore.

The only author TTM I sent, she sent back a pair of book plates

Thanks!

 

[JackLondon]

Good advice guys, I will look into book plates before sending anymore.

The only author TTM I sent, she sent back a pair of book plates

Thanks!

There are all types of bookplates available, too. You could tailor the type you send depending on the genre which the author is best known.

I bet ebay would have some. Barnes and Noble stores have a few.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Good advice guys, I will look into book plates before sending anymore.

The only author TTM I sent, she sent back a pair of book plates

Thanks!

There are all types of bookplates available, too. You could tailor the type you send depending on the genre which the author is best known.

I bet ebay would have some. Barnes and Noble stores have a few.

That's interesting, they have different genres of book plates?

I am just going to look around a few different places tonight on the web and see what I can dig up.

 

[SamHell]

My only signed book. One of my favorite writers as well.
My wife got it for me at a signing. No cool inscription(he does some great ones).

 

[JackLondon]

My only signed book. One of my favorite writers as well.
My wife got it for me at a signing. No cool inscription(he does some great ones).

Nice one! My kid would love to have that one.

 

[JackLondon]

Got this one at an in-person signing several years ago.

One of my favorite writers from my nostalgic childhood.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Ray Bradbury... that sounds like a familiar name... I just can't place it though!

 

[Tedw9]

Got this one at an in-person signing several years ago.

One of my favorite writers from my nostalgic childhood.

ARRGHH!! You suck! :mrgreen: J/K!

Seriously, LOVE Bradbury! My favorite sci-fi author. I would love to meet him! And that book you got signed is an all time CLASSIC. Nice, nice, nice!

Twinsfan, pick up Fahrenheit 451, Illustrated Man, Something Wicked This Way Comes, R is for Rocket, S is for Space, The Martian Chronicles....pick any of them, they all rock!