Gunapayuta - A Pictorial Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha (CBBEF, Taiwan)

This unusual illustrated Buddhist text from Taiwan is particularly interesting.

The original text by Gunapayuta was in Thai. This volume is in Chinese and English, translated by Bhiksu Jan Hai (who translated from Thai into Chinese) and Z A Lu (who translated from Thai into English).

Gunapayuta`s original illustrations have been coloured by Yann-Fang Lee.

Full details can be found in our listings and additional images will be posted on ABE, hopefully within the next 48 hours.

Please do bear in mind the 20%  discount we are allowing on all items we sell on sites run hy ABE (www.abebooks.com, www.abebooks.co.uk etc ) before 27 Nov 2011. The discount has already been deducted from our prices on those sites, so all you have to do is make your selection and place your order (see previous posting for details). 

Collectable, Signed and Limited Editions

4416

4417

4418

Here at Hoonaloon Books we have a comprehensive supply of signed books, limited editions, proof copies, small press and foreign editions.

Details of said titles can be found using the links provided and are pretty much guaranteed to fill you with surprise, delight and awe.

Here are three such titles from our listings ;

At 4416 we have `A Relation or Journal of the Beginnings or Proceedings of the English Plantation settled at Plimoth (sic) in New England 1620`, a limited, numbered edition ( 36 of 2050 ) reprint of the original document.

At 4417 we have Lord Graham of Edmonton`s `From Tyne to Thames`, reflections of a life dedicated to the Labour Party and to the Co-Operative movement. This is a signed copy and also an association copy, being signed with a view to it`s being presented to an individual with a long-standing involvement with the Co-operative movement in Derbyshire, probably on the occasion of their retirement.

At 4418 we have a numbered, limited edition (735 of 1,000) copy of Emily Diamand`s `Reaver`s Ransom`, signed by the author and complete with slipcase.

If anyone would like to see additional images of these books, there are some posted on our listings on ABE , or you can always contact us directly and we`ll happily provide some more.

As always, full details, price etc can be found using the links provided.

These are just a few of the more collectable titles amongst our total stock of around 4,000 books, so please feel free to browse our listings and we`re sure you`ll find something to interest you !

Any questions, just ask.

Anne Taintor - I`m Becoming My Mother - MJF/Fine by arrangement with Chronicle, New York circa 2004

As you`ll appreciate, with 3,500 - 4,000 books in stock at any one time, it can be difficult to decide which to highlight in the blog.

Sometimes we include a particular title just because it makes us laugh. This is the case with number 4310 in our listings, Anne Taintor`s I`m Becoming My Mother*.

* Should anybody be interested, I myself am not becoming my mother - she`s quite capable of being herself  !

Janet Aylmer, Hugh Thomson - Darcy`s Story - Copperfield Books - New Illustrated Edition

Janet Aylmer is the author of In the Footsteps of Jane Austen, Julia and the Master of Morancourt, Sophie`s Salvation and others.

Her Darcy`s Story, first published in 1996, takes Jane Austen`s Pride and Prejudice as it`s starting point, but presents the story from Mr Darcy`s point of view, whilst aiming to remain faithful to the original tale and characters.

To judge by the 36 (!) reviews posted on Amazon, the book has divided Austen fans. A quick trawl through reader`s comments shows this all too clearly ; "Fantastic", "enchanting", "delightful" said some. "Disappointing" and even "dreadful" said others.

Personally, I think the author can take a quiet pride in the fact her book gets such strong responses - think how bad it would be if people had ignored it altogether or merely expressed indifference ! All I can suggest is that you read it and form your own opinions.

The New Illustrated edition first appeared in 1999 and our copy is a 2003 reprint of that edition.  The Hugh Thomson illustrations are taken from the 1894 Allen and Unwin edition.

Our copy can be found at number 4309 in our listings and is not expensive if anyone fancies giving the book a try.

Philippa Pearce, Helen Craig - A Finder`s Magic - Walker, 2008 1st Edition (First Edition)

At 4284 in our listings we have a first edition of Philippa Pearce`s book A Finder`s Magic, illustrated by Helen Craig.

I strongly suspect that this is one of those times when no additional comment from me is really necessary and, as they used to say, a picture is worth 1,000 words.

Accordingly, here are some images of the copy in question ;

As always, details, price etc can be found by visiting our online shops at ABE, Antiqbook and Mare Libri.

Any questions, just ask.

Lads, Lasses and Man`s Best Friend

4260

4261

4268

4271

(see also 2179, 2669, 3017, 3815)

More pearls from the East Midlands ;

Of interest to history buffs will be Sgt Eric Walton`s From Hepthorne Lane to Rangoon and Back Again, the story of how a coal miner`s son from Clay Cross came to be present when the Japanese agreed a cease fire in Burma. In addition to details of his wartime service, Eric Walton has interesting observations to make concerning his experience of civilian life, including a post-war career in the coal industry, under both private and public ownership.

Narvel Annable is noted for producing mysteries set in Derbyshire, but is also a writer of non-fiction, mostly (though not always) of a biographical and/or historical nature. 

The Wirksworth Creative Writers booklet is very typical of the self-published works  of local writers` groups up and down the country. At one time I was an avid reader of such things and I personally would say that the vast majority contain at least one undiscovered gem. Better value for money than the average bestseller.

Dennis McCarthy is a noted Nottinghamshire author, broadcaster and dog lover, who has collaborated with cartoonist Pete Dredge on more than one occasion. His works are always popular in the area and this account of life with an eccenric Irish Water Spaniel is no exception.

As always, use the links provided for further information, or if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

More About Trains

1940

1951

Let`s linger amongst the locomotives once again, with these two items ;

1940  - A Fairclough - The Story of Cornwall`s Railways - Tor Mark, 1970

1951 - Stevens and others - Shackerstone Railway Society - SRS,  c. 1973

As ever, more details can be found using the links provided, or feel free to contact us if you have a question.

Cheers,

Nick & Ann-Marie

Hoonaloon Books

www.abebooks.com

www.antiqbook.co.uk

www.marelibri.com

http://hoonaloonbooks.yolasite.com

Olivia C Aykin (Elaine Olivia Tinn) - Live a Little, Die A Little - 1988

The author served as a private in the Royal Auxiliary Service during World War Two, on attachment to the Royal Artillery.

Years later (1988 to be exact), having started a new life in Malta, she came to feel that insufficient attention had been paid to the role of women in the services during the period 1939 - 45. This scarce self-published volume is her contribution to addressing the balance.

Full details at number 4265 in our listings.

A must for adventurous whippet fans....

A lovely first edition copy of this true story of pensioners Terry and Monica, their narrowboat Phyllis May and Jim the reluctant whippet and their adventures across the English Channel, through Belgium and France to the Mediterranean.
With a charming illustrated dust jacket plus further smaller black and white drawings by Christopher Corr.
Price £4.95 ( + £3.21 UK 2nd class postage).
See the links to our selling sites (Abe and Antiqbook) for more details or contact us direct.

Railwayana and Railway Ephemera

These recent additions to our stock will be of particular interest to railway enthusiasts and collectors of railway memorabilia.

The British Rail Eastern Region (Northern Area) Supplementary Operating Instructions from 1972 are at 4242 in our listings, while the British Rail Southern Region Supplement to the Electrified Lines Instructions is at 4243.

 Our stock is currently listed on Abebooks, Antiqbook and Mare Libri - use the  `Buy Books` links provided to see further details, condition, price etc, or if you prefer you can deal with  us directly by e-mail -  hoonaloon@btinternet.com .

Other railway publications can also be found in our listings.

 

If railway-related events are of interest to you, you may wish to see `Let`s Talk About Trains`, posted earlier today at http://bookshelvesandbrownale.blogspot.com .

Gloria Morgan - Kinmers Lea - Callie-Co Books - Nottinghamshire - 2008

Born in London but now based in Nottinghamshire, author Gloria Morgan named her book after the original name of the North Notts town of Kimberley.

The book involves an unlikely pair of allies,  Edwin, an ordinary 12 year old boy and his ninety year old Gran. During the course of the book, the two become involved in events which combine the Battle of Hastings, a kidnapping plot and a wild ride to Nottingham Castle which takes place a century before the days of Robin Hood.

Copies of this admirable volume can be found at numbers 3068, 3261 and 4205, with the added bonus that 3261 and 4205 have been signed by the author.

Further details can be found using the `Buy Books` links provided, or you can deal direct by e-mailing us on hoonaloon@btinternet.com, provided you`re happy to pay by Paypal.

Any questions, just ask.

Brigadier Ethel Roberts - Lydia Longbone - Salvationist Publishing & Supplies- Undated (Salvation Army)

An interesting and unusual recent addition to our stock is The Home Life and Adventures of Lydia Longbone : Told in Letters From One School-Girl to Another by Ethel Roberts.

Published by Salvationist Publishing and Supplies, Ltd, and featuring an preface by the Salvation Army`s Commisioner Hitching, the book was obviously intended to promote the work of that organisation.

It is undated, but ther Commissioner`s preface was dated 1928. there is a Salvation Army

 presentation sticker at the front, possibly dated 1946. The problem with prize and presentation stickers is that often organisations laid in a supply of books for these purposes and sometimes did not issue them for some time, so that the date of publication is somewhat earlier than the presentation date. This book may well be a case in point as the pictorial hardcover and general style of the book would have been anachronistic for 1946.

The book is number 4237 in our listings and details can be found at www.abebooks.com , www.abebooks.co.uk , www.marelibri.com and www.antiqbook.co.uk . Of course we are always happy to deal directly with customers who prefer that, and with that in mind our e-mail adress is hoonaloon@btinternet.com .

It is unfortunate that the pictorial hardcover does not scan particularly well. More pictures are available on request, though.

Any questions, just ask.

Localism in Literature

Here at Hoonaloon Books, we fly the flag for regionalism with our stock of books with a strong Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire connection (95 titles at present).

Here are a few recent additions to our stock ;

4108 - Sarah Cole etc - Archaeology and Conservation in Derbyshire

4109 - John N Merrill  - Matlock ; A Practical Guide... * Signed copy*

4114 - Howard Atkinson and others - Poetry Nottingham - Vol 41, Number 3, Autumn 1987

4123 - Glover and others - Richard Arkwright and the Mills at Cromford

As ever, details can be found using the `Buy Books` links provided, and any questions can be e-mailed to us in the normal way.

Anyone interested in literature locally might to see `Hucknall Book and Craft Day` (25 June 2011)  at http://bookshelvesandbrownale.blogspot.com .

Thomas Miller - Gideon Giles The Roper - Nicholson and Sons - Late Nineteenth Century

Thomas Miller was born in Gainsborough and was raised by his mother in circumstances of some hardship. As a boy he  worked on a farm owned by a relative but this seems to have been short-lived and he was soon back in Gainsborough.

After this false start he was taught basket-making by his step-father and in 1831 he moved to Nottingham where he intended to make a living in that trade. It was whilst living there that his first book, The Song of the Sea Nymphs, was published. It was also during this period that he married and started a family.

During his time in Nottingham he and his family lived at Coalpit Lane and he had a shop in Swann`s Yard (off Long Row) for a time. On market days he had a stall at the junction of South Parade/Exchange Walk, which he continued with even after he became a published writer. When tending his stall he was known to recite poetry in the hope that people would stop to listen and  be tempted to buy one of his baskets.  He wrote a number of poems of his own during this period, some of which were published in the Nottingham Journal. Nottingham and Derbyshire are frequently mentioned in his novels and poems, and in fact the central character in Gideon Giles spends an evening at the Old Ship on Pelham Street. I gather the building that housed The Old Ship is no longer there. 

In 1835, the Millers moved to London and there he found a mentor, the Countess of Blessington, who introduced him to the London-based literary world of the time. Presumably his new life suited him as he began to churn out novels and poems prolifically, with Gideon Giles being his best-known title.

Miller returned to Gainsborough for a while in the 1870s, intending to promote  his next book, Our Old Town. Unfortunately, the book  was not well received and he fell on hard times. This was nothing new for him; in 1851, a begging letter from Miller to Dickens had been rebuffed, with Dickens writing to Edward Bulwer-Lytton that he felt Miller had been ill-advised to pursue a career as a writer ; "I fear he has mistaken his vocation".

Fortunately, the poet Tennyson was more sympathetic and, as Miller enterd an impoverished old age,  approached Disraeli on his behalf. Eventually, Miller was provided with a pension to live on. He died in 1874 and, like many interesting and  notable characters, was buried in West Norwood Cemtetery. For those of us who take an interest in such things, there is a community/conservation/preservation group, Friends of West Norwood Cemetery, whose site can be found at http://www.fownc.org/ .

I many ways, Miller`s story is a sad one. Despite some success as a poet and novelist, his literary career never provided him with financial stability and he must at times have wondered if basket-making had been the better option ! Nevertheless, he has achieved a certain literary immortality, as we can see from the many modern reprints of his work. He may not be the best-known 19th century English Victorain writer, but equally, he`s not been forgotten.

Our copy if Gideon Giles is indeed a fine and dandy little volume and can be found at number 3988 in our listings, along with full description, price etc. As always, any questions, just ask.

                              

Judith Veronica Lang - It`s Good Everywhere But Better Somewhere Else - Helikon Kiado

Here at Hoonaloon books we pride ourselves on our record as purveyors of the unusual and specialists in the off-beat.

One such instance is to be found at number 3898 in our listings. Veronic Lang`s book It`s Good Everywhere but Better Somewhere Else (Helikon Kiado) is thoroughly bilingual, being in both Hungarian and English.

A work of non-fiction, it looks at the subject of immigration into Hungary and is centred around 18 interviews. The interviewees are "those English, American, French, Italian and other nationals who didn`t come here because they have Hungarian blood, and not even in hopes of making a fast buck. So for what ? Their motivation is an exciting and never boring question mark."

 Respondents include Charles Dickens` great-great-grand-daughter, now a resident of Budapest.

This title is not currently showing up in our online listings, but should appear within the next 24 hours.



.

Donald Suddaby : Lost Men in the Grass through the Eyes of the Illustrators (Alan Griff)

It`s always interesting to see how different illustrators interpret and represent the same piece of work.

Examples of this appear at 3869 and 3870 in our listings where we find two different editions of Lost Men in the Grass by Donald Suddaby aka Alan Griff.

First up, here is the dust jacket from 3869. This edition dates from 1945 and was published by the OUP.  The author is credited under the psdeudonym Alan Griff and internal illustrations are by Eric Newton. (his work appears in both 3869 and 3870). For reasons which will become apparent if you check our description of this item, we are unable to tell you the name of the dust jacket artist.

3869

The dust jacket illustration to 3870 is signed `Haworth` and  the artist`s name may have been Carl Haworth.  This 1950 Cumberledge/OUP edition credits the author as Donald Suddaby (his full name was William Donald Suddaby). The approach taken here is very diiferent to the earlier one ;

3870

The internal illustrations are done to a very high standard as even a philistine like myself can tell. Interestingly, the title page to 3869 is illustrated with a likeness of a winged insect, whilst the title page to 3870 is not illustrated at all.

3869

The next Newton  illustration is from 3870 but appears in both books ;

3870

I`m sorry for the shadow to the left-hand side as you look at it, but didn`t want to press down on the spine.

So there you have it - the same book through different eyes.

Surprisingly, there is little on the web about author or artists. Suddaby, as you may know, was born in Leeds in 1900 and was a prolific writer of  children`s books. He is best remembered for his science fiction and fantasy work, but did also produce books that you might loosely class as historical fiction. As far as we  know, he did not write any titles aimed at adults.   If anyone has further information on author or illustrators then, as ever, we`d be glad to hear from you.

I believe Donald/Alan had a grandson, Mark J Suddaby who is also a published writer. 

And now, the boring stuff. To read more details of the books mentioned, or to see more images, use the `Buy Books` links provided. If considering making a purchase, please read the descriptions fully, particularly in the case of 3869.

Any questions, just ask.

George Mellor - Look Back at Loscoe - Happy Walking International - 1997

GEORGE MELLOR - LOOK BACK AT LOSCOE ; A DERBYSHIRE COLLIERY VILLAGE IN THE TWENTIES - HAPPY WALKING - 1997

Born in 1917, George Mellor was the son of a miner from Loscoe, Derbyshire. He spent six years in the armed forces during World War Two (Somalia) and on his return went into the teaching profession. 

During the period of his retirement he became an accomplished amateur artist, poet and local historian. Sadly, he died during 2010.

This is the story of his childhood  and of growing up in the Heanor/Loscoe area, illustrated with the author`s own sketches.

This warm and often funny account of Derbyshire life and history is rather scarce now, but well worth looking out for.

We currently have one copy on sale, which is at number 3809 in our listings. It should appear online within the next twelve hours.

Notorious Knits and Kitschy Stitches

The Museum of Kitschy Stitches : A Gallery of Notorious Knits by Stitchy McYarnpants (Debbie Brisson) is a book compiled from "vintage catalogues, patterns and advertisements" by a self-confessed "master of fashion disaster".

I think we can safely assume that the photographic likenesses contained therein date from the `60s to early `70s. I presume the vibrant (is that the right word ?) colours were a reflection of the optimism of the area. The actual styles, however, can only be the symptoms of some kind of  clinical condition.

Did people really look like that ? If so, why ? My best guess is that it was some sort of crime prevention exercise - dressed like that, people would rarely leave home, let alone get involved in any activity that might draw attention to them.

On a personal note, I recall as a child that my mother would occasionally nod towards people passing by and comment jokingly "promise me you`ll never dress like that." At the time her sense of humour  went over my head, but now after all these years, I see what she was getting at !

Anyway, a selection of the relevant fashions is reproduced here for you to savour.

These are just a few of the more tasteful examples - I was worried some of the others could cause nightmares to those of a sensitive disposition !  If you are unwise enough to require a copy of the book, it is number 3802 in our listings and should appear online within the next twelve hours.

Yaffle and Flambo Revisited

Some time ago (30 August 2010 to be exact), I asked if anyone new the true identities of author Yaffle and illustrator Flambo. 

I`ve now had a reply via blogger  from someone using the name Weedking, to tell me that Yaffle was in fact Bernard Boothroyd , a columnist with the sinister-sounding New Leader 1929 - 33, later humour editor for Reynolds News and eventually editor of Peace News. Boothroyd was also apparently the man who discovered the cartoonist Giles.

According to Weedking, Flambo was "almost certainly" Montague Phillip Medoza aka Philip Mendoza aka Mendoza aka `Flam`, an illustrator often associated with pulp-fiction covers, but who actually engaged in a range of illustrative work. Mendoza had apparently illustrated Yaffle/Boothroyd`s New Leader column for a time, and also contributed full-page pieces to the same publication. 

For more on Mendoza, my informant recommends `Philip Mendoza (Montague Phillip Mendoza)` which was posted on Tues 6 March 2007 at http://bearalley.blogspot.com/ .

Weedking has no blog and has not provided me with a way to contact him/her, but I would like to use this chance to express my thanks for this information, and also to share it with others.

Much obliged, Weedking.

The three illustrations here are from Yaffle and Flambo`s Foiling the Reds ( Labour Research Department, 1926)  which you`ll find at 3553 in our listings. As you`ll see, in the top illustration a fiendish-looking individual has stolen a copy of the New Leader from three other characters, possibly lending credence to the suggestion that the artist was the New Leader`s Mendoza.

If considering buying this, please read our description carefully, including the condition details. Cheers.

P.S. Just out of curiosity, what was New Leader ? I`m vaguely aware of an American journal of that title, which began in the `20s and only ceased production a few years ago, but presumably Boothroyd/Mendoza were contributing to a UK publication of the same name ? If anyone knows, that would be interesting. I have an inquiring mind, as you can possibly tell.   

Andrew Polkey - The Civil War in the Trent Valley - Walk & Write, Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire -

Born and raised in Derby and having worked in both Nottingham and Burton,  teacher Andrew Polkey felt that there should be a book on the English Civil War as it affected the Trent Valley. Like many peple, he eventually concluded that if he wanted it doing, he`d have to do it himself !

Fortunately, Derbyshire-based publisher Walk and Write agreed with him, and the result is this mighty fine paperback book.

This is one of around half a dozen books on the Civil War that we have in stock at present, and I like to think we are currently catering for those who are new to the subject as well as those with some prior knowledge.

It`s at number 3778 in our listings. Any questions, just ask.

As you`ll appreciate, we only post details of a small section from our stock on this blog, but the whole online literary emporium can be found using the links provided. Cheers.

Jean Grose - Those Seaside Days - Poppyland - 1986

Jean Grose - Those Seaside Days - Poppyland Publishing - 1986

Poppyland Publishers of North Walsham in Norfolk were (are ?) specialists in publications relating to East Anglian life and culture.

Published during the `80s as part of their East Anglian Memories series, this book concerns itself  with memories of East Anglian family holidays in the `40s. Enlightening and enjoyable, educational and entertaining, this worthy tome appears at number 3786 in our listings.

Don`t forget that this blog only comprises a few `edited highlights` from our online emporium. To check out our full range of titles and subjects, use the `Buy Books` links provided.