Just back from a trip to New York for the last couple days of Bibliography Week. Missed the booksellers' showcase on Thursday, which was a bummer, but it was very pleasant to see so many friends at the various events. I haven't been on Twitter much the last few days, so forgive me if this is a bit shorter than some weeks.
- The great Ursula K. Le Guin died this week. The roundup on Slate of writers reacting to the news is worth a look, I urge you to watch her speech at the 2014 National Book Awards ceremony (and Neil Gaiman's introduction). Her appearances on "TTBOOK" are also recommended. The Guardian has a full obituary.
- Oak Knoll Fest 2018 is a go: mark your calendars for 5–7 October 2018.
- Maev Kennedy writes for the Guardian about an upcoming sale of Sylvia Plath books and possessions to be sold at Bonhams in March.
- The odd volume from George Washington's library sold for $115,000 yesterday.
- The first-round deadline for admission to spring/summer Rare Book School courses is 19 February. Submission of your application(s) by then is encouraged.
- Rebecca Romney writes for Mental Floss about Poe's great "balloon hoax."
- Jerry Morris highlights some of his sources for keeping up to date on rare book news over at My Sentimental Library. Thanks to him for including this blog!
- Over on the Past is Present podcast, an interview with Gregory Nobles.
- The folks working on the Declaration Resources Project have identified an early broadside printing of the Declaration (unique copy at the BPL) as coming from the press of Thomas and Samuel Green in New Haven.
- Another month, another reported "solution" to the Voynich Manuscript.
Reviews
- Catherine Kerrison's Jefferson's Daughters; review by Mary Beth Norton in the NYTimes.
- Three recent books on birding; review by Richard O. Prum in the NYTimes.
- The new Library of American edition of John Quincy Adams' diaries; review by Diana Schaub at Law and Liberty.
- Henry Wessells' A Conversation Larger than the Universe; review by Michael Dirda for the WaPo.
Upcoming Auctions
- Printed Books & Manuscripts at Chiswick Auctions on 31 January.
- Printed Books, Maps & Documents at Dominic Winter Auctioneers on 31 January.
- Modern Books and Works on Paper at Forum Auctions on 31 January.
