Book Guy

A couple of weeks ago I was talking about a Perma Bound Book I bought from a Publishers rep back in the day and this is it. Interesting in that it was NOT ex-Library which is how you usually see them. I had been told that Libraries could buy their own perma binding machine, but according to the company website they have been doing the binding and selling since the mid 60's. This of course is an aftermarket binding, but too my mind collectible as it seems it probably had a wide distribution and is a legitimate issue of the Book. This is bound from the 1972 2nd Printing, but arguably it is the 'First Hardcover Edition'. A gray area bibliographically, but I would call it that.

Anyone know where you can get mylites for paperbacks or digests?

I liked the TV adaptation of one of the SHARPE Books. I haven't read any of his Books, alas!

I just ran into references to the IMARO Books this week! Apparently he is a Black Conan written by a Black Author. The stories take place on a Fantasy version of the African continent (as did many of the Conan stories). The books piqued my interest and I am going to have to keep an eye out a half-price books! Any Good?

I have the poster!

Some Australian Digests w/ PKD Stories. The magazine title is technically 'Satellite Series' (Nos 213 & 214 from 1958), but the covers feature an enclosed story title prominently making things a little confusing. PLANET OF DOOM has 'Retreat From Rigel' which was originally published as 'Tony & The Beetles'. SANDS OF MARS has Adjustment Team'.

Some Ed Wood Jr. and related items just for fun.

There was a company that made little machines and sold them to Libraries that would take a paperback and 'Perma Bind' it in heavy clear plastic using the book and the original cover to make a small more durable hard cover. The company may have been called Perma Bind, I don't recall. I'm sure you have all seen ex-Library copies of paperbacks bound thusly. At least I think that's what mostly happened as I believe they also bound paperbacks into little hardcovers and sold them themselves presumably to Libraries. I know this as I once bought some Books from a Book Rep-a salesman who represented various publishers-and he had two books bound this way without Library markings, card pockets etc. One was a mid 1960's Harlan Ellison Book which I kept but can't put my hands on it. When I do I will post it. A Pyramid (NO MOUTH/SCREAM?). Anyway the Books I bought from the rep were his Salesman's copies-examples he showed Bookstore buyers to give them a feel for what the Book was. He represented more than one publisher but I don't remember which ones-mostly smaller ones, I think. Anyway, it seems likely he repped for the Perma Bind company and these Books were some sort of legit, albeit rare issues of the Books. I was also told at some dim time in the past that you could buy a binding machine and do it yourself as I said earlier, but these copies seemed to indicate a more regular Bookstore aimed path for copies like this. The Groff Conklin Book is not what I'm talking about. I've seen this before as well as other titles done this way though I have no idea what they were. Shoulda bought 'em as they were unusual! I got Ellison to sign my copy of the clear plastic bound Perma Bind and he was baffled by it. "Never seen this! Probably didn't get paid for it..."

I posted this in Comics General, but I'm duping it here as this will probably be the main thread. Years ago I lived and worked in Berkeley and went to his store all the time. Late 1970's and after. I knew a couple of his employees who went on to bigger things pretty well. He was a character even then. From reading his Facebook posts he never changed. I liked him and always enjoyed chatting. My favorite story about him-and I don't mean this in a negative way as he thought it was funny too-was when we were having a conversation about 'the art of pricing'. Books, Comic Books etc. Bob rattled out a number of examples of where he had priced a Comic quite over where it was 'guided' at and it sold though he had thought it wouldn't. Several stories of this sort one after another all ending with "and I should have priced it higher!" Finally I said "So the only right price for anything is when it DOESN'T sell. That's the correct price then?" Or words to that effect. He tipped his head, thought about it for a sec then laughed and said' Yes! This incident always gave me a chuckle. I saw him years later at SDCC when he was not in great health and he recognized me (though didn't remember my name-it had been a long time) and we got to chat. R.I.P. Bob!

Years ago I lived and worked in Berkeley and went to his store all the time. Late 1970's and after. I knew a couple of his employees who went on to bigger things pretty well. He was a character even then. From reading his Facebook posts he never changed. I liked him and always enjoyed chatting. My favorite story about him-and I don't mean this in a negative way as he thought it was funny too-was when we were having a conversation about 'the art of pricing'. Books, Comic Books etc. Bob rattled out a number of examples of where he had priced a Comic quite over where it was 'guided' at and it sold though he had thought it wouldn't. Several stories of this sort one after another all ending with "and I should have priced it higher!" Finally I said "So the only right price for anything is when it DOESN'T sell. That's the correct price then?" Or words to that effect. He tipped his head, thought about it for a sec then laughed and said' Yes! This incident always gave me a chuckle. I saw him years later at SDCC when he was not in great health and he recognized me (though didn't remember my name-it had been a long time) and we got to chat. R.I.P. Bob!

One of my favorites...

There was a hardcover version of this as well! Same cover, same size, same publisher (I think). No jacket. A little hard to get. Published simultaneously, I think.

Thanks to all in advance. No, it's not for sale. I'd call it a 4.5 IMHO. It's a tiny bit glossier looking in the pics than in real life. I included 2 pics of the front cover, one with no added lighting and the 2nd illuminated by the room roof lights. Would pressing help this? If so, how. I am going to get this slabbed and I understand CGC has a pressing service. How much does pressing cost? How much extra time would it take? I haven't sent things into CGC for years so I'm not sure what the grading will cost me. Any thoughts on the value I should ascribe to it? Thanks again!

I love Cain! His stuff still reads very well.

Great item. I love anything with personalization and you can't get much better than an Author editing his own text for a later edition. Lotta changes! Some will be put off by the 'writing' in the Book, but if you've been around Books a lot, you know that's what makes it unique and therefore 'better'. I can't see comic collectors feeling the same way about Comic Books, but that's just an example of how two collecting groups can have different mind sets.

Joined and posted! Thanks. Looks like an interesting group.

Great piece! I don't think it is one either, but there is a reasonable chance and worth investigating. I am going to try and post on the Arkham Facebook forum again. The 'possible' sculpt doesn't belong to me BTW, but to a friend.

A little off the subject post, but of interest to Arkham House Collectors. The greenish sculpture below is possibly (though not likely) a Clark Ashton Smith Sculpture. I tried to post pictures and details on an Arkham House Facebook page, but they did not go through probably because I'm not a member. Perhaps someone on these boards can point somebody who might be expert in the subject to this post. Why might it be a CAS Sculpt? Well it came into a Thrift Store in North Oakland many years ago on the same street and nearby to where noted HPL Circle member and close friend of CAS George Haas lived for many years. George was known as 'Ji Eich' to the other HPL circle members and corresponded with many. He was a close friend with CAS and collected his Art and had quite a number of Smith's sculptures. The theme of the piece is in Smith's wheelhouse. The main problem is the signature on the base. CAS had two known signatures 'CAS' and 'KA' with the 'K' reversed. Perhaps there is a third signature variant I am unaware of? Probably not, but the close proximity of where this turned up to where Haas lived, the general overall 'look' of a Smith piece and the intriguing signature make me wonder. There is a book about Haas which I have, though can't get to at the moment. If somebody has one, they might look through the pictures and let me know if the green sculpt shows up. Thanks in advance. The dark sculpture of the little guy with a helmet/hat is a genuine CAS sculpture for comparison, It once belonged to George Haas and is signed my Smith in the usual 'KA' manner. Any help is appreciated.

Earlier today on Geary Street San Francisco. Pants-less, adult diaper wearing 49ers fan waits for a bus presumably for a happening Superbowl party. Meme this!

As an aside, I was looking at a (for me) expensive silver age slab and debating whether to buy. I put it on my watchlist and I got a 25% discount offer from the seller. Then I noticed the seller was located in Astoria New York. I decided not to buy and part of the reason is I have no idea whether they are involved in all this or not. I can probably get one cheaper over time, likely raw, but the whole slabgate thing did play a part in my passing on it. Just my recent personal experience....

Lotsa Blade Runner Stuff out there. I'll see if I can dig up my ERTL Die Cast vehicles!

'Long Galleys' for THE BEST OF PHILIP K. published as a paperback by Bantam, I believe and my favorite PKD short story collection. All winners! Long Galleys are in-house printings by the publisher used to check the text for errors etc before publication. Sometimes they are given out for review, but mostly not. They are often found marked up by the Editorial staff. They are called Long Galleys because they are printed on extra long sheets of paper usually without page numbers etc. 5 or 6 pages might be printed on one sheet. They are normally printed on one side only. Scarce

Who wouldn't be enamored of her?

Lots of Comics, including a surprising number of '4 figure' ones! But also tons of cheaper books. Always at least a few paperbacks-lots more last time. Always a few Pulps-lots more last time. Not a far walk from the North Berkeley BART Station.

You bought one from me about a month ago (Morton Cooper?)! I don't have many Pulps though. Also sold a sleaze paperback to a different Board member a couple of weeks ago. I've been waiting for photos to appear!