Nope. I just finished the run of The People’s History of America by Page Smith and also have the Alexander Dumas’ Three Musketeers set. I’ll probably start doing the Tolkein set next. I’m not really concerned about resale value because I don’t intend to ever sell them, but I also didn’t like the idea of bookplates. I do like the embosser idea which seems to add a bit more class to the whole idea of marking your territory, so I’ll probably go that route.
I just tear out every 20th page and keep them in a separate folder, locked in a drawer in a different room.
And can I just say that I’m really annoyed that a “really nicely bound book” is almost always something I can’t buy, because I am a vegetarian? (and no, I don’t think it’s worth it to compromise my values to get a nice book cover)
I once was going to try to finance a set of the Encyclopedia Brittanica… until I found out that it’s all but impossible to get them without leather covers.
Hmm… maybe I should start a thread about this…
Opalcat, I bind books. I make “really nicely bound books” and none of my books have leather or any other animal derived products in them. I also make beautiful journals with innovative touches (embossings, hidden pockets, half french door openings, bone clasps, unique papers, all archival…etc the list goes on for quite a ways.) I make my own artist books illustrated with my prints and hand-set type. I can also re-bind books. If you are interested in any of these services or in my artist books please let me know and ill send you my email adress.
Hiroko
I have a number of books and i wirte my name in them with lightning pens, and stick an address label in them, so if i lose them the book can eventually find its way home.
I also find the idea of writing in books, and otherwise making marks in it, repugnant. But I do like what my old Greek/Roman history professor did for all his papers. He had a stamp with a Chinese symbol of some sort. The wiggly lines probably had something to do with luck and at the bottom of the stamp was his last name.
So maybe you could get a stamp and have your name in it somewhere. Like maybe your state flag. Maybe some European symbol. Here’s some neat Mayan Symbols. Hmm, although that bit about Noah and the flood worrys me. Surprising for en .edu page. Well maybe not so much but a little.
But you get the idea. Stamps can have a classy look to them, after all that’s what professional libraries have, right?
hey, MagicalSilverKey-
Can you order one of those embossers from Barnes & Noble online? I just searched their site & couldn’t find any gifts, but I might be looking in the wrong place.