Duncan the Wonder Dog, 2nd Printing Sold Out

I wrote about Duncan the Wonder Dog, the inaugural Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize winner recently and have tried to acquire either a reasonably priced first printing or a 2nd printing since I really want a copy.  I have failed at both attempts.  I am not willing to pay the asking price for a first printing at this time, expecting more copies will become available and the price will drop ( a supply demand dream).  I did try to order the announced 2nd printing and just learned yesterday that none of the three stores I placed an order with could deliver a copy.  The 2nd printing is sold out.

Luckily, I'm heading to New York City to attend the New York Antiquarian Book Fair, April 8-April 10.  While I doubt I'll find a copy of Duncan the Wonder Dog reasonably priced at the Fair, I am holding on to the small hope that I may stumble upon a copy while visiting various book shops in Manhattan.

A New Illustrated Greek Myths, Leather Bound, Wonderful and Just Published

I just opened a box from Amazon and am thrilled to own the just published, Varitan's Illustrated Greek Myths.  Being an active book junkie I spend as much time as possible learning about books, old, collectible and new.  A few months ago I noticed the announcement, somewhere or other, of the forthcoming Varitan's Illustrated Greek Myths and apparently pre-ordered a copy via Amazon.  I totally forgot about it until the box arrived today and I am certain I will enjoy reading this new version.  I generally buy, new, what I am interested in reading but I do sometimes buy new books that I think, over time, will become collectible.  Varitan's Illustrated Greek Myths is a book I predict will indeed become a collectible illustrated treasure.

Custom Leather Cover.  Diamond cut out with illustration.

This is the first book released by Orphiflamme Press, Boulder, Colorado.  Founded by Jorian Polis Schutz, Calligrapher, Editor and Publisher.  If future publications are released with the beauty and style of the first, I'll be sure to order more new releases for my library. 

Argus and Io Illustration

Varitan's Illustrated Greek Myths, by Yonah Ignacia Varitan, illustrated by Federico Ulises Parolo bound in a custom leather cover, includes a wonderful illustrated cover band with quotes from St. Basil of Caesarea, Pantanjali, and Henry David Thoreau on myth, is a modern re-telling of Greek Myths with stunning illustrations that will appeal to young and old.  This is not a scholarly book but rather a book to enjoy and a reason to ponder the foundational mythology that still captivate.

Phaethon

Here is the note from the Publisher concerning Varitan's Illustrated Greek Myths:

"It is my honor to introduce to you an exciting new version of some of our greatest originating myths. But in fact I’m not sure that "new version" quite describes what Varitan’s Illustrated Greek Myths does. This surprising and beautiful book gives voice to the gods and heroes in a way that makes them not only relevant but necessary for our times. Part science, part mysticism, and part social theory, it is a re-vision that we sorely need. These ancient spirits may yet cast forth wisdom into our midst."

"Yonah Ignacio Varitan began to work on his Greek Myths in early 2007. Later that year he met Federico Ulises Parolo in Buenos Aires, and their collaboration continued for two years. Varitan died in a tragic accident in late 2009; I inherited the mostly completed project, edited the texts, and worked with Federico and others to design the book., for release in spring of 2011. I can only pray that this fruit of a beautiful human spirit has a chance to spread its seeds in the world. Please enjoy our offerings online and consider ordering a copy of the book for yourself, for your friend, or for your store."

"And welcome to Orphiflamme Press."

--Jorian Polis Schutz
Editor, Calligrapher, Publisher
Orphiflamme Press

I certainly hope Orphiflamme finds success and continues to publish fine editions for years to come.  Varitan's Illustrated Greek Myths is a wonderful book, a first book from a new publisher, a first and only book by the author, Yonah Ignacio Varitan , and the first book illustrated by the talented Federico Ulises Parolo.

Perseus and Medusa

Collecting Vintage Paperbacks, For the Cover, For the Content, Signet NAL Series, Alberto Moravia

Dedicating some collecting activities toward vintage paperback books is a sure way to spice up your library when times are tough and money limited.  The history of the paperback book in the USA is very interesting and merits comprehensive treatment but for now, I am only going to focus on vintage paperbacks published in the US between 1948 and 1968 by New American Library (Signet and Mentor imprints). Over time I'll write about Bantam, Harlequin, Fawcett, Ace, and Ballantine who all offered paperback reprints of best selling authors in this mass market format and remain collectible today. 

The marketing of these paperbacks is a fabulous example of the four P's of marketing, product, price, place (distribution) and promotion.  Of the four P's, today's collector is probably most impacted by product, reprints of best selling, now collectible, authors and promotion, the wild and often scandalous, cover designs!  Promotion, via suggestive cover illustrations, even came to the attention of the US Congress and in 1952 the House held hearings into the mass market paperback because, "....pocket-size book which originally started out as cheap reprints of standard works, have largely degenerated into media for the dissemination of artful appeals to sensuality, immorality, filth, perversion, and degeneracy."  What motivates my interest in collecting vintage paperbacks is the cover treatment in vintage paperback reprints of my favorite authors.

First Edition, First Printing Cover
Farrar, Straus and Company, New York, 1949

I collect Alberto Moravia (1907-1990), an Italian novelist who wrote a number of wonderful novels exploring what it is that makes us human during times of great challenge.  His writing remains a powerful example of the power of the novel to force us to think about who we are and how we act within the context of ever changing economic, political and cultural reality. 

N.A.L. SIGNET BOOKS, New York, 1952, 35 cents
A SIGNET GIANT because it is 414 pages, Number S844

The Woman of Rome, by Albert Moravia, translated into English by Lydia Holland, Farrar, Straus and Company, New York, 1949 was a best seller in America when first released.  The Woman Of Rome tells the tragic and powerful story of the beautiful Adriana, born in the slums of Rome, who dreams of a better life and ends up a "....prostitute who pursues her trade casually even happily" (cover copy).  While I own a very fine copy of the first edition, first printing, I would like the Signet, New American Library edition, as well.  Over the years, especially when wandering book fairs, I have acquired a few New American Library editions of Moravia and always keep my eyes open for additional Moravia in vintage paperback to add to my collection.

National American Library was founded in 1948 and included the imprints, Signet fiction, Mentor non-fiction, Signet science, Signet Classics, Signet Key(for young readers ages 10 to 14), Mentor-Omega (featuring Catholic philosophers) and Mentor Executive Library (for businesspeople).  My collecting interested revolve mainly around the Signet fiction imprint.  Notable authors reprinted in the Signet fiction line included, James Joyce, William Faulkner, Mickey Spillane, Arthur Koestler, Jim Thompson, Erskine Caldwell, Flannery O'Connor and Henry Miller.  If you collect any of these authors acquiring the Signet first edition, first printing paperback release will add some depth and most likely, spice, to your collection.

Signet Cover Ilustration

Signet published 15 paperback editions of Alberto Moravia between 1948 and 1968.  I own both the hardcover first edition, first printing and the Signet first edition, first printing of four of those titles and always keep my eyes open to add to my Signet collection.  My priorities include, Roman Tales, More Roman Tales, The Empty Canvas and Two Woman.  Over time I expect to have a complete Signet subset of my Moravia collection and I know that I'll enjoy exhibiting the different cover designs and always be able to tell the story of the National American Library.

Farrar, Straus and Cudhay, Inc., New York, 1957