1-parchment-
I wonder if anyone can beat this description?
"People of the World, Unite and Defeat the US Aggressors and All Their Running Dogs
Mao Tse Tung (The Great Helmsman)
Published by Foreign Language Press, 1970
Used / Soft cover / Quantity Available: 1
From TotalitarianMedia (Hermosa Beach, CA, U.S.A.)
People of the World, Unite and Defeat the US Aggressors and All Their Running Dogs!, Mao Tse-Tung, Foreign Language Press, Peking, 1970, 12p, stapled pamphlet pb, covers bumped/scuffed, text clean, solid binding, coffee? staining throughout, gerbil-sized teethmarks front cover----7.00. Bookseller Inventory # ABE-1888406051"
"People of the World, Unite and Defeat the US Aggressors and All Their Running Dogs
Mao Tse Tung (The Great Helmsman)
Published by Foreign Language Press, 1970
Used / Soft cover / Quantity Available: 1
From TotalitarianMedia (Hermosa Beach, CA, U.S.A.)
People of the World, Unite and Defeat the US Aggressors and All Their Running Dogs!, Mao Tse-Tung, Foreign Language Press, Peking, 1970, 12p, stapled pamphlet pb, covers bumped/scuffed, text clean, solid binding, coffee? staining throughout, gerbil-sized teethmarks front cover----7.00. Bookseller Inventory # ABE-1888406051"
2Django6924
Well, the "gerbil-sized teethmarks" definitely raise this in to a class of its own.
I was reading one the other day, can't remember which LEC it was describing, where the book was described as having chips at the foot of the spine, smudging of the cover, some yellowing (foxing) in the gutters, but was "otherwise, just about Fine," and the slipcase, which had "splits at the bottom mended with tape and considerable shelf wear," Near Fine.
I wonder if this is a carryover from online dating sites where people who wear XXXL size clothes describe themselves with the phrase, "a few extra pounds"?
I was reading one the other day, can't remember which LEC it was describing, where the book was described as having chips at the foot of the spine, smudging of the cover, some yellowing (foxing) in the gutters, but was "otherwise, just about Fine," and the slipcase, which had "splits at the bottom mended with tape and considerable shelf wear," Near Fine.
I wonder if this is a carryover from online dating sites where people who wear XXXL size clothes describe themselves with the phrase, "a few extra pounds"?
3featherwate
In a class of its own, indeed!
Sounds like one of those running gerbils the CIA trained for use in Egypt when it was trying to assassinate Nasser. When he died of natural causes they were repatriated to a burrow under a Hermosa Beach condo and sent out to track and whack suspected Maoist surf bums. I 'd have sure released more bodily fluids than a mere mouthful of coffee if I came face to face with one of those malignant wee beasties with its jaws of death clamped round my reading-matter.
Today I nearly bought from a plain-speaking ABE dealer who described his Sylvain Sauvage Brillat-Savarin as "A close to very good copy with some small burns to the leather spine (in a previous owner's kitchen)". But then I found a cheaper unmarked copy and thought it would be more fun to do my own poker work. As Robert said on another topic yesterday, "I have learned over time to not get too obsessive about keeping the book in New condition."
Sounds like one of those running gerbils the CIA trained for use in Egypt when it was trying to assassinate Nasser. When he died of natural causes they were repatriated to a burrow under a Hermosa Beach condo and sent out to track and whack suspected Maoist surf bums. I 'd have sure released more bodily fluids than a mere mouthful of coffee if I came face to face with one of those malignant wee beasties with its jaws of death clamped round my reading-matter.
Today I nearly bought from a plain-speaking ABE dealer who described his Sylvain Sauvage Brillat-Savarin as "A close to very good copy with some small burns to the leather spine (in a previous owner's kitchen)". But then I found a cheaper unmarked copy and thought it would be more fun to do my own poker work. As Robert said on another topic yesterday, "I have learned over time to not get too obsessive about keeping the book in New condition."
4-parchment-
MFK Fisher did a fantastic translation, and her footnotes add to the pleasure of reading Brillat-Savarin. In my opinion, the LEC is a true gem, and Sylvain Sauvage’s illustrations (that were earlier used in a French limited edition) add to the pleasure of reading it. I had read Brillat-Savarin in a Swedish translation, but didn’t really enjoy it. When I got the LEC, it quickly became one of my favourite books.
Translations do matter, but obviously some date quickly, while some remain the best. When I wrote about Queen Pedauque in another thread, I had a comment or two that perhaps it was because of dated translations that few people appreciate Anatole France nowadays. I guess that is true. Usually Swedish translations age far more quickly than English, but in this case Hjalmar Söderberg (famous author himself) did a translation in 1899 that I believe would be impossible to improve on, while the LEC translation from around 1910 doesn’t have the same ”flow”. I’m also impressed with Ellen Marriage’s Balzac translations from the 1890’s. They haven't aged a bit.
Translations do matter, but obviously some date quickly, while some remain the best. When I wrote about Queen Pedauque in another thread, I had a comment or two that perhaps it was because of dated translations that few people appreciate Anatole France nowadays. I guess that is true. Usually Swedish translations age far more quickly than English, but in this case Hjalmar Söderberg (famous author himself) did a translation in 1899 that I believe would be impossible to improve on, while the LEC translation from around 1910 doesn’t have the same ”flow”. I’m also impressed with Ellen Marriage’s Balzac translations from the 1890’s. They haven't aged a bit.
5astropi
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From the esoteric to the insane, through outer space via the arcane...TotalitarianMedia is your one-stop shop for the odd and the otherworldly, the strangest of sciences and the outermost fringes of thought...Catering to freaks and weirdos universe-wide...We ship domestically, globally, and intergalactically...And accept check, money order, Paypal, and abe.coms credit card service..."
6featherwate
Having acquired the following ABE description of a copy of the LEC Treasure Island and enjoyed it I am now, as commanded below, sharing it for your edification (omitting only the opening factual remarks on condition etc):
"Fine copy on handmade paper of this Pirate Classic made into a famous Disney film starring Robert Newton as Long John Silver. First Limited Editions Club edition of this Scottish author's pirate adventure. Enough said of offerings which speak loudly for themselves. Acquire, enjoy, and share what the self-actualized author has discovered in his extensive intellectual travels to prepare this very informative writing for public edification. Experience the pleasure of reading and appreciating this actual printed item. It has its own physical history that imbues it with a permanent character lacking in transitory electronic renderings..."
"It has its own physical history" is true of all objects; it is not necessarily a recommendation, as librarians assigned to shelving returned books know only too well.
"Fine copy on handmade paper of this Pirate Classic made into a famous Disney film starring Robert Newton as Long John Silver. First Limited Editions Club edition of this Scottish author's pirate adventure. Enough said of offerings which speak loudly for themselves. Acquire, enjoy, and share what the self-actualized author has discovered in his extensive intellectual travels to prepare this very informative writing for public edification. Experience the pleasure of reading and appreciating this actual printed item. It has its own physical history that imbues it with a permanent character lacking in transitory electronic renderings..."
"It has its own physical history" is true of all objects; it is not necessarily a recommendation, as librarians assigned to shelving returned books know only too well.
7Django6924
>6 featherwate:
Hmmmm....I admit I was a bit taken aback by the opening sentence "a famous Disney film starring Robert Newton, etc.", as the earlier MGM version with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper was even more famous (though not as well cast in the main roles) and the still later version with Charlton Heston as Silver may be the best adaptation, but the remainder of the quote positively boggles me.
"Oh the humanity!"
Hmmmm....I admit I was a bit taken aback by the opening sentence "a famous Disney film starring Robert Newton, etc.", as the earlier MGM version with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper was even more famous (though not as well cast in the main roles) and the still later version with Charlton Heston as Silver may be the best adaptation, but the remainder of the quote positively boggles me.
"Oh the humanity!"
8MobyRichard
I forget the book title, but the weirdest Ebay description I've seen had a brief overview of the book followed by an entire
short story about this kid being crucified upside down and then ascending gnostic-fashion into some internal heaven. At first it
was all teenage angst...but the ending was genuinely terrifying. It got my attention...doesn't mean I bought the book.
short story about this kid being crucified upside down and then ascending gnostic-fashion into some internal heaven. At first it
was all teenage angst...but the ending was genuinely terrifying. It got my attention...doesn't mean I bought the book.
9featherwate
>7 Django6924:
Robert I think the fact that that the earlier MGM version was famous says it all. Once a story has been Walt-Disneyfied it tends to become pemanently associated with his studio. Winnie the Pooh, for example, was once known all over the world as a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by two English gentlemen called Milne and Shepherd. Now he is the lead property in a Disney media franchise (except to Latinists, to whom he is forever Winnie Ille Pu). And there are millions more people who know The Jungle Book as a Disney creation than know it was written by Rudyard 'who he?' Kipling....
I don't recall seeing the Charlton Heston Treasure Island (or the Orson Welles one), but when I was working in Seychelles I accepted an invitation to take my family to a 'gala performance' of a Russian version held aboard a Soviet warship (a politically ill-advised visit for a British civil servant that had a slightly unnerving sequel years later). The film was good-looking, quite lavish, but memorable only for the way it demonized the likes of the Squire as mercenary exploiters with even less right to the treasure than Silver and his downtrodden comrades had.
Robert I think the fact that that the earlier MGM version was famous says it all. Once a story has been Walt-Disneyfied it tends to become pemanently associated with his studio. Winnie the Pooh, for example, was once known all over the world as a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by two English gentlemen called Milne and Shepherd. Now he is the lead property in a Disney media franchise (except to Latinists, to whom he is forever Winnie Ille Pu). And there are millions more people who know The Jungle Book as a Disney creation than know it was written by Rudyard 'who he?' Kipling....
I don't recall seeing the Charlton Heston Treasure Island (or the Orson Welles one), but when I was working in Seychelles I accepted an invitation to take my family to a 'gala performance' of a Russian version held aboard a Soviet warship (a politically ill-advised visit for a British civil servant that had a slightly unnerving sequel years later). The film was good-looking, quite lavish, but memorable only for the way it demonized the likes of the Squire as mercenary exploiters with even less right to the treasure than Silver and his downtrodden comrades had.
10featherwate
>8 MobyRichard:
" It got my attention.."
I'm not surprised - would have got mine too!
You do realise that whoever wrote the short story is probably now a self-published best-selling digital author with a massive fan-base of angsty high schoolers desperate to find a way up themselves?
(Preferably one involving floaty substances rather than nails.)
" It got my attention.."
I'm not surprised - would have got mine too!
You do realise that whoever wrote the short story is probably now a self-published best-selling digital author with a massive fan-base of angsty high schoolers desperate to find a way up themselves?
(Preferably one involving floaty substances rather than nails.)
11kermaier
My favorite Abe description was for a copy of the LEC Plato's Republic, "signed by the author". :-)
12Edmund_Fitzgerald
>11 kermaier: kermaier:
Seems legit.
For irony, I once found a copy of one of the last Wheel of Time books which said (paraphrasing) - "Written by Robert Jordan and finished posthumously by Brandon Sanderson . . . signed by both authors"
Quasi-understandable because the book has a facsimile of Jordan's signature, but still.
Seems legit.
For irony, I once found a copy of one of the last Wheel of Time books which said (paraphrasing) - "Written by Robert Jordan and finished posthumously by Brandon Sanderson . . . signed by both authors"
Quasi-understandable because the book has a facsimile of Jordan's signature, but still.
13featherwate
From an Abebooks description
"Condition: Good. 1st - may be Reissue. Ships with Tracking Number! INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE Shipping available. May not contain Access Codes or Supplements. May be ex-library. Shipping & Handling by region. Buy with confidence, excellent customer service!"
Buy with confidence.....or maybe not.
Edited to add that descriptions such as this may indicate the seller is a bookjacker.
"Condition: Good. 1st - may be Reissue. Ships with Tracking Number! INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE Shipping available. May not contain Access Codes or Supplements. May be ex-library. Shipping & Handling by region. Buy with confidence, excellent customer service!"
Buy with confidence.....or maybe not.
Edited to add that descriptions such as this may indicate the seller is a bookjacker.
14Constantinopolitan
The Guru bookshop of Hereford, England are selling a copy of Rip Van Winkle, described thus: "The Limited Editions Club, 1930. Unknown Binding. Condition: Very Good. 1958 edition on green cloth published by derby college of art."
A collector's item...
A collector's item...
15Constantinopolitan
More fun on ABE.
The LEC Frankenstein is available from Glenthebookseller of Montgomery, Illinois.
"Item in acceptable condition including possible liquid damage. As well, answers may be filled in. Lastly, may be missing components, e.g. missing DVDs, CDs, Access Code, etc."
Glen could well be describing a copy of the book after Frankenstein's monster had read it.
The LEC Frankenstein is available from Glenthebookseller of Montgomery, Illinois.
"Item in acceptable condition including possible liquid damage. As well, answers may be filled in. Lastly, may be missing components, e.g. missing DVDs, CDs, Access Code, etc."
Glen could well be describing a copy of the book after Frankenstein's monster had read it.
16Glacierman
>15 Constantinopolitan: He doesn't have the book in his possession. Description sounds like a bookjacker's. And I've always wondered what the heck "acceptable condition" is. Acceptable to whom? A scrap paper merchant?????? A scribble-happy schoolboy?? Who???? Oy!
17Django6924
Checking ABE for the Chaucer Troilus and Cressida today, I found this:
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, THE PLAYS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: The Limited Editions Club, 1939. Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Limited Edition #600 of 1500, signed by the printer on the colophon page. Bound in publisher's cloth. Hardcover. Good binding and cover. Light wear. Generally clean. xxi, 309 pages. *Autographed by author.*
Which author? Shakespeare? Chaucer? In any case, with either's autograph it seems considerably underpriced at $29.99 US.
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, THE PLAYS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: The Limited Editions Club, 1939. Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Limited Edition #600 of 1500, signed by the printer on the colophon page. Bound in publisher's cloth. Hardcover. Good binding and cover. Light wear. Generally clean. xxi, 309 pages. *Autographed by author.*
Which author? Shakespeare? Chaucer? In any case, with either's autograph it seems considerably underpriced at $29.99 US.
18Constantinopolitan
>17 Django6924: And I thought "the immortal bard" was just hyperbole. Clearly not.
19ubiquitousuk
When I saw an Abe seller listing "Journey to the Center of the Earth" for £3.40 I knew it was bogus. But I couldn't resist buying it to see what I'd get. I certainly wasn't expecting that I'd receive an illustrated children's edition of "Around the World in Eighty Days" from 1995.
At least they got the author right, I guess.
At least they got the author right, I guess.
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