Displaying illustrated books

I have about 10 books illustrated by Thomas Hart Benton, does anyone have any ideas how best to put these, or at least some of them, out to be seen?

You could use one of the bookcase designs that are for displaying illustrated children's books - basically a thin railing with a bar across so you can store the books flat against the wall. I have seen some nice plans for doing this yourself (I think using wall moulding?) that I can't find but look rather like the first pic below, and I am linking to a couple of the more complex commercial designs below (whitneybros and ohdeedoh).

If you have flat surfaces available, you might consider using stands that one would use to hold a planner on a desk, such as: http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/242487748/Glasstique_Planner_Stand.html

I have some oversized books with interesting and/or beautiful content (illustrations, maps, etc.) which I display one at a time on the display stand seen in this photo (in front of the bookshelves to the right). I dust off the displayed book and turn the page occasionally, and change it out every few weeks for a different book, many of which are stored below the displayed book.

s.

>#4-That is such a lovely room. What a nice place to spend time.

>5 mmignano11:
Thanks. Not really visible in the foreground is a sitting area (hinted at by the backs of an old rocker and an old Morris chair), so we spend much of our evenings in the presence of that wall of books. I quite like it. :-)

Os.

(4) Love your library, Os!

G'day Os,

I'm curious about the object that is above the bookcase towards the right hand side of the photo. The long object with the pointed end and what appears to be a handle in the middle. Do you mind if I ask what it is?

Regards,
b

Os: I just noticed the short shelves on the right side, for books that are too large and need to be stored flat?

I've been looking for a dictionary stand like that for some time. Every time I come across one they are prohibitively expensive or in shambles. There's a happy medium out there somewhere just waiting for me. I would post pictures of my library, but it's such a chaotic mess it would be embarrassing. My household wants to use the book room as a dumping ground for things that have no place, exercise equipment and ironing boards! Ack! One day when everything is in place I'll snap a pic before entropy returns.

>8 bernsad: re: The long object with the pointed end and what appears to be a handle in the middle.
I think you're talking about the item displayed above the framed print from my profile page. If so, it's a ceremonial blow-gun from southeast Asia. It is actually pretty accurate; the dragon has a steel barrel hidden inside. What looks like a handle is a hanging container for the darts. The tail is removed and the dart exits the dragon's mouth. Don't tell my kids...they thinks it's purely decorative.

>9 fuzzi: re: short shelves on the right side, for books that are too large and need to be stored flat?
Yes. Once the shelves were filled, I found that I could add a few of these in the space above some books. I put oversized (but thin) volumes there, as well as manuscripts and fragile items.

Os.

>10 varielle:
Varielle,

I have no recollection of where I obtained the stand I have. Easton Press sold one for awhile that was quite similar and pretty reasonably priced, but I don't think they have it any longer. They may be able to tell you who the manufacturer was, though. It's not a fine piece of furniture, but it's held up well in fairly easy service.

Here's the one I'd like to replace it with, and it's at a very good markdown right now. I've waited for years for them to put in on sale, and I'm afraid now they're going to close it out, just when I'm in no position to buy anything (still unemployed).

Os.

>11 Osbaldistone:. Yes that's it, thank you.