book collections

LHurwitz56@aol.com
Mon, 11 Aug 1997 01:07:48 -0400 (EDT)

Just wanted to add my collection to the list.  I have a small shrine on the
bookshelf in my room (used only for the books too close to my heart to live
in the living room) with my Salinger books, wedged between winnie the pooh
bookends (one end is pooh's butt in rabbit's hole, and the other hlaf is
pooh's head being yanked upon by christopher robin, rabbit, piglet and some
others).

In the shrine is at least one first edition hardback of every book (some with
dust jackets and some not), the four original paperbacks i read (who's spines
are now too fragile to open much), and the pirated uncollected stories
volumes.

On another shelf is at least four copies of each book (to be given away), a
small collection of criticism on Salinger, and the beginnings of the
collection of each paperback in every version (meaning all the different
bookcovers).  I've just started to acquire translations, but it's slow going,
because my meager teacher's salary doesn't allow me to get out of the country
much (yes, i know i can find translations in my local good bookstore, but
that's cheating).

And, similar to Will's practice, i check the Salinger section before going
anywhere else when i go to a used bookstore.  I've found many a treasure that
way (first editions that the bookseller didn't realize were such).

It gives me much pleasure to own multiple copies of books i love, even though
some of my friends think i'm stupid to spend money on something i already
have.  Oh well.  I also occasionally pay for the car behind me on the Bay
Bridge and then speed away.  Imagine what my friends would think of that...

--Lori Hurwitz