August 9, 2009


Svandrlik, Miloslav, and "Neprakta" (illus.):
PRAGUE GHOSTS

Pragopress, Praha, 1968.


The 45 individual ghosts known to haunt Prague neighborhoods are treated here not as malevolent ghouls, but as harmless urban eccentrics. Text in English.


<-- front cover

Cross, R.W. Jeremy L.:
THE TRUE MASONIC CHART, OR HIEROGLYPHIC MONITOR [etc.]

S.A. Rollo & Co., New York, 1859.


A practitioner's guide to Freemasonry, with 52 baffling engravings of emblems and graphic devices, intended to elucidate the brotherhood's occult iconography.


<-- frontis engraving & title page


Sorrows, Gene:
ALL ABOUT CARNIVALS

American Federation of Police, Miami, 1985.


Longtime carny turns snitch, reveals the secrets behind the sleazy swindles of the midway; very entertaining glossary also.


<-- front cover


n/a:
ILLUSTRATED PRICE CATALOGUE OF OLD BOOKS WANTED

American Book Mart, Chicago, 1937.

Apparently booksellers have always been generous: these folks would gladly offer you $3.50 for the original 1922 Paris edition of Joyce's "Ulysses."


<-- front cover


Phillips, H.I. ("Hi"):
THE FOOLISH QUESTION BOOK

Edward J. Clode Inc., New York, 1927.


"Q: Where is rubber found? A: In chicken pies... Q: Where are bisons found? A: On the backs of nickels... Q: Where is Madagascar? A: Heavens! Have they misplaced that again?"


<-- front cover


Dubas, Frederic, and Jacques Vallotton (eds.):
COLOUR ATLAS OF MOUNTAIN MEDICINE

Mosby Year Book, St. Louis, 1991.


Acute frostbite, high-altitude neurological disturbances, compound skiing fractures, mountaineering head trauma, etc.; with alarmingly grisly photos throughout.


<-- front cover