Ceri Vale (Calla Wolf) used to post on the previous site before it moved to its current location. I haven't seen him around in a while. I helped him as one of his "panel of experts" on evaluating suspect King signatures a few years ago. There were five of us (including Ceri). If you see him tell him to drop by this site and post more often. And a warm welcome to you, Alec. Hope you stick around.
Good afternoon Carlos.
Very kind of you.
I still speak to Ceri from time to time, though as you probably know he sold a lot of his collection and now pursues his love of photography down in South Wales.
The one large purchase I made from him was his lettered copy of 'It'. A really good sort to deal with.
Kindest regards
Alec.
Alec, one question if I may. Your library looks very neat and ordered (something most of us aspire to, I think - book collectors seem to be prone to a touch of OCD) but I did not yet figure out if there's a system in how the books are shelved (other than grouped by author). Is there a system? I'm not being critical, merely curious.
The first time I came across Ceri was when I received a DTVII S/L from Roy at Bad Man Books and then received another copy two days later. I had only ordered one. On closer inspection, the box was addressed to Ceri but the custom labels were mixed up by the post office and had my address on them and I received both copies. Me, thinking I'm an honest guy, contacted Roy and then forwarded it onto Ceri. I suppose some people would have kept both books and sold one copy.Originally Posted by Alec
Hi Manni.
Good question.
The only system I have is (that as near as I can) every shelf is devoted to an author, especially with the King books. The other which determines if a book goes on a certain shelf is the tension across the shelf, which as you know should be supportive without being over tight. One day I will take all the King books into one area, one day.
Does this prove that I am not an OCD sufferer?
When Simon posts the other images of the library it will probably become more apparent what a mess I am in!!
Thanks for asking.
Alec.
Hi John.
I'm sure Ceri was delighted to see his copy arrive. Though I am sure you have found the same as me, that book collectors are a special type of person. Let's put it this way, if all the world were collectors there would be very little need for police.
Kindest regards
Alec.
Looing forward to your mess, then!
By the way, my name is Michaël, the 'Manni' thing is a reflection of my post count on this forum (you are currently 'John F. Kennedy', which you can see on the left of the screen beneath your user name). Every once in a while when you reach a certain number of posts it will change. It's a feature of the forum software and you will see they are mostly King-related.
Michael my sincere apologies.
Just getting to know the rules. It will not happen again.
All the best to you.
Alec.
Alec, absolutely stunning collection there my friend. To have amassed so many beautiful editions in 3 years is highly impressive!
You obviously love books and we love people who love books here on thedarktower.org!!
Welcome and please stick around.
Good morning,
Apologies I do not have your first name.
Yes I will do my best to stick around, finding it very enlightening and everybody so friendly. A wonderful site.
Roughly 3 years, yes, I started collecting King at the beginning of 2012. Though a lot of the collection has been sourced for me from the U.S. by Emmanuel at Very Fine Books and a wonderful job he has done for me.
Nothing will replace the excitement of removing the packaging from a new book. So I am the same:
I love people who love books who share with other people.
Kindest regards
Alec.
Impressive collection !
------------------------------------------------
CLUB STEPHEN KING (french website about STEPHEN KING, since 1992) : on : Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
------------------------------------------------
Thank you and good morning.
Really love the alternative covers on your collection. Beautiful.
I have enjoyed The Camille Verhoeven Trilogy, (Irene, Alex, Camille) by Pierre Lemaitre that has recently been translated to English. Superb material.
Kindest regards
Alec.
Fantastic collection Alec! Other than the outstanding King collection I dig the Martins and Abercrombies (hidden back there). I need to add more from each to my collection. The Lenkiewicz piece is fantastic too. Mildly disturbing, haha. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the kind words.
You are right about Joe Abercrombie, I could just keep reading him, not so impressed with the latest trilogy though, prefer his first six volumes.
Really like the description 'mildly disturbing', perhaps an under statement. Try looking at:
R. O. Lenkiewicz. Project 18. The Painter With Women.
That is disturbing in a different way!!!
Kindest regards
Alec.
Wow, Alec, I believe the correct term for these pictures is "book porn." Your collection is gorgeous! Keep posting pics, Simon!
~Dez
Good evening Dez, (I hope that is correct).
Thank you for the encouraging words. I have not been long on the site, however so pleased I got here!
More 'book porn' to follow. (Love your expression).
Kindest regards
Alec.
Any update on this collection? Loved reading through this thread!!!!
Good morning At - One.
Apologies I have been concentrating on art more than books at present.
I have made only two purchases of note recently.
(1) Complete mint set of The New Lieutenants Rap which includes all 5 items.
(2) Signed limited Stand (in black balsa box) #7 with a hand written list by Peter Bernstein of the recipients of Nos. 1 - 20 and recipients of the lettered editions. Interestingly #7 was given to Stephen King.
As soon as anything else crops up I will post some more.
Kindest regards
Alec.
Alec... would LOVE to see the artwork your intoIs it King related?
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Good morning Webstar.
The art I collect is not King related, though I can fully understand the attraction.
I have quite a mix, including Todd White, Robert Lenkiewicz, L. S. Lowry and one Warhol.
If you are interested in art take a look at a website by Geoffrey Dashwood, all sculpture and predominantly life size birds with some monumental pieces. I have collected some of his work. Certainly worth a look.
Hope you enjoy it.
Kindest regards
Alec.
Any chance of seeing the note?
Good evening Randall Flagg,
Thank you for your interest. It is a matter of integrity on this issue. Please do not think I am being obstructive, however the book was intended for Stephen King (as were a few of them) and I am unsure as to the reason the list was left in the case. If it was for the sole benefit of Mr. King then it does not seem ethical to divulge that information. The only person who could clear the matter is Peter Bernstein. I am all for the sharing of information, though in this instance I would feel happier with clearance. The book also came with the three different title plates.
I sincerely hope my sentiments do not offend.
Kindest regards
Alec.
Sounds like you've been busy! Congrats on some stellar new additions!
Many thanks Theli.
Some images coming shortly, which will be posted by Simon Mason (Stroppygoblin).
I hope you like them. One is particularly rare. In fact very rare.
Kindest regards
Alec.
As Alec mentioned above, here are some images of the newest additions to his collection.
Carrie - PS Publishing Letter U
"A real limited edition, far from being an expensive autograph stapled to a novel, is a treasure. And like all treasures do, it transforms the responsible owner into a caretaker, and being a caretaker of something as fragile and easily destroyed as ideas and images is not a bad thing but a good one...and so is the re-evaluation of what books are and what they do that necessarily follows." - Stephen King
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
