Comments for A New Look At Old Books

Comment on How It Is Done; Or, Comfort For The Masses. by Paul Lister

Paul Lister — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:04:34 +0000

Rockin’. Open it up. Don’t let the orgasm police – they are STILL out there – win.

Comment on Dear Oxfam; Or, A Humble Petition by David

David — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:31:45 +0000

I have never found an oxfam bookshop I liked. Overpriced books which were given for nothing. Dorchester branch selling second hand Tony Blair Auto., for more than it is in Tesco, new! Middle class staff chanting the charity mantra, “it all goes to a good cause”; yes the well paid management! Misguided pricing, probably using the internet for the highest price or the infamous Miller’s Guides. Generally the staff have not a clue about social interaction, take-it or leave-it and pay the price, and “by golly aren’t you lucky you found that nice book here, as all the second hand book-shops round here have closed now”. I stopped giving books to charity when they started to nit-pick about quality, condition and bulk, “we don’t have the space”. Check out the pallets of books available on ebay which were charity shop rejects. Free books, free staff, the sky’s the limit. I only hope other charities start to develop book bins at superstores. British Legion, Help the Heroes, R.S.P.C.A.? Oxfam will prpobably moan, how unfair!

Comment on Dream Book; Or, Dreams About Books. by betweenthelines

betweenthelines — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 18:58:16 +0000

Yours sounds like the 1921 impression. The one here is 1929. The first edition was 1901, as stated inside. hope this helps.

Comment on Dream Book; Or, Dreams About Books. by Martin Harland

Martin Harland — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 18:38:08 +0000

HI, How can you tell if you have a first edition. I have what looks like an old edition of the Pearsons dream book, which is not yellow, but brown in colour, with old adverts at the front and back. How can i tell how old it is ?, as the dates in the front say ” 1901, then reprinted 1902 up to 1921. can anyone help me, Thanks. Martin.

Comment on A Bitter Taste; Or, Women In The Kitchen by Claudie Combelas

Claudie Combelas — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:14:24 +0000

Just liked the molestation picture! Made me smile on a long day at the office!
Claudie

Comment on Backing Winners; Or, The Mysterious Diary by fortheloveofbooks

fortheloveofbooks — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:02:20 +0000

Great blog! I love pawing through used books stores as I never know what I’ll find. I think I’ll pay more attention to diaries now. Are you familiar with Collectors Book Market where book buyers can actually browse. Lovely!

Comment on Dear Oxfam; Or, A Humble Petition by Helen

Helen — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:24:49 +0000

I will no longer shop at Oxfam for books. People – including me – used to buy books from charity shops because they could not afford to buy new. With supermarket prices now relatively low and on-line sellers providing new books at similarly reduced prices, why would anyone want to pay £2.50+ for a second-hand copy of a modern paperback? Other charity shops have followed Oxfam’s example – British Heart Foundation prices are even worse in some towns. The joy of finding a tatty gem for about 20p (I have many books marked ‘6d’) has disappeared. It is so sad for those of us who do not have huge financial resources but who are genuine book lovers and would be loyal customers. Furthermore, the staff in my local Oxfam shop are arrogant and rude towards customers. I have not returned since being spoken to appallingly two years ago after a hesitant, gentle enquiry as to whether a price could be reduced at all. The mantra about it ‘being for charity’ was chanted. How about the other one that ‘charity begins at home’?

Comment on Dear Oxfam; Or, A Humble Petition by Becky

Becky — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:20:34 +0000

I despair at some of the comments people have left about Oxfam Bookshops. I love my local Oxfam Bookshop. The staff are friendly and approachable. I’ve also witnessed the heart warming charity they display towards “customers” that clearly are very lonely and need a little human contact. I spend quite a lot of time in there, browsing the kids section looking for a vintage children’s book to add to my collection, I’ve never seen any member of their team turn away a donation. In fact, when people enquire about what will be done with any books not put on sale, more often than not they are told that they will be sent onto other shops in the network, listed online or worst case recycled into items they use in the shops. Ofcourse I don’t know whether this is the truth but neither have I any reason not to trust what they say. I have also witnessed how some donors have specifically said they are dontaing to Oxfam because they know they will not just mark valuable books at £1.00. If I should ever be able to bring myself to donate any of my collection, my local Oxfam will be my number one choice to receive my donation.

Comment on Backing Winners; Or, The Mysterious Diary by Comte de Pinner

Comte de Pinner — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:37:43 +0000

One of those happy deals. Eclectica get £25 to spend on a few lattes etc., and you get a few hours of amusement gazing into a vanished world of callow aristos and the England of Dizzy (and Dolly–is that a filly?) and add value by your research — basically it’s a horse racing item and well worth the punt. Tally Ho! CDP

Comment on Backing Winners; Or, The Mysterious Diary by betweenthelines

betweenthelines — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:21:19 +0000

Many thanks.
The salary figure was the sort of sum I supposed it to be. Any wonder he had a party that night. He had gone there specially to bet, and watched the horse win by a fraction…