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Recent news about books:
Kudos to the German booklovers!
What is it about a book that pulls at our hearts? People like bookstores. But in Germany recently, the love of books was taken to new and heroic heights when Weimar's Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Germany caught fire.
For 2 hours the fire raged on an upper floor. Meanwhile, workers passed 6000 rare books out of the library until a ceiling threatened to collapse. This represented almost half of the collection housed in the 16th century palace. Among those books rescued was a 1534 Martin Luther Bible. The "bucket brigade" of workers worked diligently to save as many of the precious works they could.
The library specializes in German literature that falls in the 1650 - 1750 time period.
The rest of the books not removed from the fire may have suffered smoke damage.
Powell's Bookshop Tries Something New
From Sept. 9 to 19, Portland, Oregon's leading bookstore, Powell's, is setting up a new shop, but you won't be able to browse for your favorite author. Nor will you be able to buy anything. That's because the site is being set up to buy books.
The company is seeking to add 30,000 books to its inventory. Powell's is a large Internet seller (more than half its sales are used books), and like most used booksellers selling online, replenishing stock is an important part of the business. Ispos Book Trends reported that though the sales of new books dropped by 2%, the sales for used books increased by 5%.
The search for books will not be limited to the temporary site. Book scouts are being sent to look along the East Coast for titles about military, martial arts, railroading and civil engineering.
Suspected Book Thief Nabbed in Boston
Booksellers working together in Boston this August were able to apprehend a suspected book thief. Bromer Books found at least 8 books missing from their shelves last Aug. 11 after a man was in the shop to sell a book that appeared stolen from a New York shop.
The man trying to peddle the New York book was easily described, and word was sent around, from colleague to colleague, to be aware of this person entering a bookshop.
Philip Salmon of Bromer Books tailed the man who was believed to have stolen the books. When the suspect entered Peter Stern's establishment, the police were called and the man was questioned.
During the course of the questioning, it was discovered that the suspect used different names and had differing identification. He is charged with receiving stolen property.
It will be through the efforts of the Beantown booksellers that the pattern of theft and the items stolen will be made known to the court.
New Guide to World's Classics
We recently received an email from Geoff Milburn that a new Web site has been formed that offers "A Guide to the "WORLD'S CLASSICS" and "OXFORD WORLD'S CLASSICS" (clothbound editions and their variants) http://www.edu.uwo.ca/worldsclassics/index.html
Suggestions and corrections are requested.
eBay Reverses Decision to Close Half.com
AuctionBytes article about eBay's decision to leave Half.com open.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y04/m09/i23/s00
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