As some of you guys know, my normal(?) job is escorting oversize loads. On Tuesday I headed out to Bath, Maine, to escort something out of the BIW Iron works yard to NJ. It was supposed to be a one day job, paying a pretty good chunk of change. Long story short, the truck broke down, and I got to spend two days in town with nothing to do except go to goodwill , the bookstore, and one antique shop that was never open.Well, on my way out of town Wednesday (never did get to make the run..) I happenned by the antique shop and found it open. What I found there made the whole unprofitable two day trip worth it ..
I picked up an original manual for my Atlas Lathe I had been wanting for years, and then, I saw it.. ATKINSON!
I paid a whole lot of money , but I figure it would cost me that much just to get a few bogus fonts on a disk...and when would I ever see the hardcover, copyright 1909 edition again? What a neat book! If I ever assimilate a tenth of the knowledge there I will be impressed.
Also picked up a copy of Signs, Up to Now, by EC Matthews. Copyright 1967. Also cool.
I guess I blew the Christmas budget for a few years. I'm thinking I will be scanning the pages and reading from the computer to save the book as long as possible..
Any suggestions on the care and feeding of an old Atkinsons appreciated. :-)
[ June 10, 2004, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: Bill Foshay ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
So Bill, are you off Rt.66?
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Great find.
I hit the antique stores whenever I find them open and have a few minutes. I also started venturing out to the old hardware store about 20 miles away. This place is soooo old, the floor scares me in places but everytime I go I find something else neat that I just gotta have.
Posted by Bill Foshay (Member # 4526) on :
I'm right on Rte 43. .
But Rte 66 is just down the road a mile or two..
Thanks for asking!
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Good for you Bill! As you know...I was GIVEN a 1915 Atkinson last week! Ain't it great? I'm still too scared to touch it much. And I would also be happy to learn some care & maintenance tips. Love...Jill
Posted by John Milleker (Member # 4572) on :
I've got to ask, whats this Atkinson I hear about? Forgot to ask you about it in chat Jill, after I read about your gift.
If its a standard book, Google has lots of information on proper book care, storage, repair, etc.. I would also try the library, they should be able to dig up plenty of help on the subject.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Found this description, among others! Atkinson Love...Jill
Posted by Stephen Faulkner (Member # 2511) on :
yet another priceless artifact pilfered from Maine!! Those books are awsome!! good for you to take the time and find them... I wonder what shop your were at?? You ever get stranded in Maine again give us a ring... we'll show you the good seafood restaurants.
I almost forgot... propper care and use... unfortunatly scanning a book can be one of the worstest things you can do, by that I mean forcing a binding to lay flat on the scanner bed, while doing so can break the binding, if you must scan hang one side of the book over the edge if possible. Acctually photographing is much betterer and digital is the easiest. Storage is high and dry, away from cellars and A/C or direct heat source and sunlight...
iffin you don't have a place for it... uhhh I do!
[ June 11, 2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Stephen Faulkner ]
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
quote:Storage is high and dry
Just be careful that it's not too dry - probably not a problem in the NorthEast. Our average humidity here in the Southern California desert is 10% and many of the antique books that I brought back from my father's in NJ aren't dealing with the sudden change very well. After decades in the NJ humidity, 10% must be a shock.
You might want to call John Neal Booksellers John Neal, Bookseller 1833 Spring Garden Street Greensboro, NC 27403 USA E-mail: info@johnnealbooks.com Phone: 336-272-6139 Toll free: (800) 369-9598 (USA & Canada) Fax: 336-272-9015 Hours of Operation: M-F 9:30 AM - 6 PM EST
My father bought a great deal of his antique sign books through them and I'm sure that they would be able to advise you on proper care and/or assist you in finding a book you've been looking for.