NY Times: "Judge Rejects Google's Deal to Digitize Books"

By Susan Benne

On Tuesday, a New York federal judge rejected Google's settlement with authors and publishers to digitize books and make them freely available. Judge David Chin said that the agreement would have "granted Google a 'de facto monopoly' and the right to profit from books without the permission of copyright owners". Legally, it seems the largest factor for rejection of the settlement is its inclusion of orphan works, which are books whose rights holders are unknown. Judge Chin implied that if the settlement was amended and limited only to books that authors or publishers opted in, then the majority of legal obstacles would be removed. Google argues that leaving orphan works out of the agreement would significantly diminish the value of their digital library, both to the company and the public. Pamela Samuelson, a copyright expert at UC Berkeley who has worked to prevent the settlement, commented that “even though it is efficient for Google to make all the books available, the orphan works and unclaimed books problem should be addressed by Congress, not by the private settlement of a lawsuit.” I have absolutely no familiarity with copyright law but, in my inexperienced opinion, Ms. Samuelson's statement sounds spot on. What do you think? Clearly, this ruling can also open a discussion on rare books and the trade in general; please post any ideas, opinions, etc. Judge Rejects Google's Deal to Digitize Books [more NY Times: "Judge Rejects Google's Deal to Digitize Books"]



Missing from Bay Area: "Atlas de l'Histoire des Voyages"

By Susan Benne

From Michaan's Auctions in Alameda, CA: During our March 6-8 annex preview, a copy of  "Atlas de l"Histoire des Voyages", published in Paris c.1788 with 71 maps engraved by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin was stolen from our preview.  The leather bound edition was fully intact with the exception of the missing title page. If you have any information on or are offered this book, please contact Chris Gallo at chris@michaans.com, or ABAA Headquarters at hq@abaa.org. [more Missing from Bay Area: "Atlas de l'Histoire des Voyages"]



Jeff Weber's New Book on Artists and Binders of Fore-Edge Paintings

By Susan Benne

ABAA Member Jeff Weber has recently published a new book on the artists and binders of fore-edge paintings.  This reference work is entitled, An Annotated Dictionary of Fore-edge Painting Artists & Binders (Mostly English & American). Part II: The Fore-edge Paintings of Miss C. B. Currie; with a Catalogue Raisonné and has been 27 years in the making.  In the authors own words: This book, for example, will correct a lot of misinformation, it seeks to define the role of each binder or artist individually, so that you cannot mix up the contributions of one or another painter/binder.  There is a lot of specificity to allow the reader to identify their own fore-edge paintings, if possible.  There is a good deal of time given to learning about how to find the history of a fore-edge.  I am very interested in, for example, the 19th century - and earlier - terms used for fore-edge painting - a 20th century term!  Many times I am looking only for contemporary evidence of someones work.  I also dont only deal with the obvious and famous binders that are well documented, but also those little own pieces that seem obscure& Fellow member Vic Zoschak brought the publication to our attention, remarking that the book is quite impressive, to say the least. Congratulations, Jeff! If you are interested in purchasing this book, please click here.* Jeff Weber Rare Books *A trade discount applies with purchases from colleagues. [more Jeff Weber's New Book on Artists and Binders of Fore-Edge Paintings]



UPDATED: Missing Announcement of the overthrow of the Spanish government in Venezuela

By Susan Benne

UPDATE: This item was recovered. Llamosas, José de las; & Martín Tovar Point. Broadside, begins: "Manifiesto. La Provincia de Venezuela ha logrado por el ardiente patriotismo de los vecinos de la Capital la dignidad politica que debia tener entre los Pueblos cultos de la America ... ". Caracas: En la imprenta de Gallagher y Lamb, 1810. Folio (43.4 cm; 17"). 1 p. It is the announcement of the overthrow of the Spanish government in Venezuela and one of the first things printed there. Please contact David Szewczyk @ Philadelphia Rare Books if offered. David Szewczyk & Cynthia Davis Buffington, Proprietors * 215.744.6734 (tel) & 215.744.6137 (fax) * Email rarebks@prbm.com [more UPDATED: Missing Announcement of the overthrow of the Spanish government in Venezuela]



UPDATED: Missing Book from SF Fair

By Susan Benne

UPDATE: The item has been located by the dealer. The following book was packed and inadvertently left at the San Francisco Fair: Bible in Spanish. Pentateuch. Los Cinco Libros de la ley divina. Amsterdam, 1718. Bound in two volumes, small 8vo, each in crimson lea w/new ep. If you have any information regarding this book, please contact Jim Presgraves, (276) 686-5813 or bookworm@naxs.com. [more UPDATED: Missing Book from SF Fair]



James Cummins Lecture

By Susan Benne

On Monday, March 7th at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan, James Cummins will be giving a lecture entitled, “Points of Issue: Appraising Rare Editions of 19th Century Literature”. This lecture is part of the Freeman's Lecture Series, and the Appraisers Association of America has graciously offered ABAA members free admission to the event. More details are below. Please attend if you are able and support a fellow ABAA member! Freeman's & the Appraisers Association of America cordially invite you to a presentation of “Points of Issue: Appraising Rare Editions of 19th Century Literature” Presented by James Cummins James Cummins Bookseller, New York Monday, March 7, 2011 6:00pm, Reception to follow at 7:00pm Lecture will be held at the Salmagundi Club 47 Fifth Avenue at 12th Street, NYC Free for AAA/ISA/ASA/RICS/ABAA/Salmagundi Members $20 General Admission Kindly RSVP one week in advance to 212.889.5404 x11 or online at www.appraiserassoc.org On Monday, March 7th at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan, James Cummins will be giving a lecture entitled, “Points of Issue: Appraising Rare Editions of 19th Century Literature”. This lecture is part of the Freeman's Lecture Series, and the Appraisers Association of America has graciously offered ABAA members free admission to the event. I have included more details below, as well as attached an informational flyer. Please attend if you are able and support a fellow ABAA member! Freeman's & the Appraisers Association of America c... [more James Cummins Lecture]



San Francisco Raffle Photos

By Susan Benne

Last weekend at the 44th California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco, the ABAA held a raffle in support of the Elisabeth Woodburn Fund. For those who are unfamiliar, the Elisabeth Woodburn Fund is non-profit charitable fund established by former ABAA President Elisabeth Woodburn in 1990. It is overseen by the Trustees of the Benevolent Fund and the Executive Director of the ABAA, and gives financial assistance for scholarly research and education relevant to the antiquarian book trade, such as scholarships to the Colorado Antiquarian Bookselling Seminar and the California Rare Book School, contributions to the ILAB Bibliographical Prize, and support of the Bibliographical Society of American and the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia. The Elisabeth Woodburn Fund also houses the National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest Fund, which was created to encourage and educate new book collectors and to support the National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest, which is now cosponsored by the ABAA. The raffle prize was a photo collage celebrating 50 Years of ABAA Fairs. Emeritus member Barney Rosenthal supplied the photographs, which were taken at the 1961 New York Fair, and he also compiled and signed the collage. Barney was also kind enough to come to the Fair on Sunday to draw the winning ticket and present the collage to the winner. ABAA member Sam Hessel was the lucky winner, and he generously donated the piece to Headquarters for archival purposes... [more San Francisco Raffle Photos]