Raven & Gryphon Fine Books

Verve Paris Vol 1 #2 Printemps 1938

Sat, 02 May 2026 05:27:48 -0700

As my readers know, I am somewhat passionate about illustration. And many of my musings have featured French illustrated books. I think that French illustration belongs at the top of a pyramid similar to that of French cuisine. Very often exquisite! Beginning with this musing and for the following two musings, I move over to French illustrated magazines – the very first three issues of Verve, a magazine that was beyond glorious.

Verve was a modernist Parisian art magazine published by Teriade between 1937 and 1960. The magazine was first published in December 1937 with a cover featuring artwork by Henri Matisse. Matisse was a driving force behind the magazine. The headquarters of the magazine was in Paris. It published 38 issues in 10 volumes including lithographs by the most prominent artists of the Parisian art scene of the first half of the 20th century. The first four issues featured art/photographs by Miro, Brassai, Man Ray, Corot, Picasso, Maillol, Renoir, Delacroix, Chagall, Klee, Rembrandt, Toulouse-Lautrec, Rubens, Matisse, etc.; with literary contributions by Dos Passos, Lorca, Malraux, Joyce, Hemingway, Tagore, Rilke, and Sartre amongst others, Artworks have been reproduced luxuriously in the method best suited to each, resulting in a gorgeous, vivid publication, chockablock with delights.

VERVE; Volume 1 Numéro...Read More

Verve Paris Vol 1 #1 Decembre 1937

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 05:54:47 -0700

As my readers know, I am somewhat passionate about illustration. And many of my musings have featured French illustrated books. I think that French illustration belongs at the top of a pyramid similar to that of French cuisine. Very often exquisite! Beginning with this musing and for the following two musings, I move over to French illustrated magazines – the very first three issues of Verve, a magazine that was beyond glorious.
Verve was a modernist Parisian art magazine published by Teriade between 1937 and 1960. The magazine was first published in December 1937 with a cover featuring artwork by Henri Matisse. Matisse was a driving force behind the magazine. The headquarters of the magazine was in Paris. It published 38 issues in 10 volumes including lithographs by the most prominent artists of the Parisian art scene of the first half of the 20th century. The first four issues featured art/photographs by Miro, Brassai, Man Ray, Corot, Picasso, Maillol, Renoir, Delacroix, Chagall, Klee, Rembrandt, Toulouse-Lautrec, Rubens, Matisse, etc.; with literary contributions by Dos Passos, Lorca, Malraux, Joyce, Hemingway, Tagore, Rilke, and Sartre amongst others, Artworks have been reproduced luxuriously in the method best suited to each, resulting in a gorgeous, vivid publication, chockablock with delights.
VERVE; Volume 1 Numéro 1;...Read More

Record of Canadian Shipping

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 05:24:55 -0700

We just acquired a book that is simply filled with data, as the name suggests it is a “Record”. But it is an important book on its subject, unique in fact, and if the author did not write this book, the summary of this information would exist nowhere else. Chances are no one could duplicate this book, even if endless hours were to be spent in archives throughout Canada.
The book is not boring at all. It is a fascinating history of wooden shipbuilding in Eastern Canada, ship by ship, location by location, builder by builder, very well illustrated. The author spent his life focused on the sea, and when he passed so did an incredible repository of information. The book is in fine condition and has the look and feel of a private press production – indeed, it is a numbered first edition signed by the author.
Record of Canadian Shipping: A list of square-rigged vessels, mainly 500 tons and over, built in the Eastern Provinces of British North America from the year 1786 to 1920; compiled by Frederick William Wallace, author Wooden Ships and Iron Men, In the Wake of the Windships, Captain Salvation, Blue Water, etc.; illustrated with photographs, paintings and drawings; The Musson Book Company Limited, Toronto, 1929. #142 of 1,000 copies, signed by Wallace.
Wallace (1886 – 1958) was a journalist, photographer, historian and novelist. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he initially worked as a clerk but turned to the sea as a journalist of the fishing industry which later led to historical work. Wallace served in World War I as commander of a Read More

Book Dealers Who Are Book Collectors - Hmmm

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 06:02:40 -0700

I have been reading books about book collecting, book dealers and book collectors for a long time. Periodically, the issue arises could a book dealer be a book collector, as well or is this a conflict of interest? I would say – old school frowns upon it but more recently it seems to have become more acceptable or maybe just more in the open. Some dealers argue that it makes them better dealers. Perhaps, but I think it is mandatory that dealers understand what makes collectors tick, what makes them collect? If a “collector” didn’t collect books, would they simply collect something else. OH – as I typed this line I thought of the book “The Collector” by John Fowles. Not a recommended avenue!
Collecting is a form of mania. I know, I have that mania while not being a slave to it. If I were, I would be a bibliomaniac.
In most cases, a dedicated book collector will know more about his or her areas of interest better than all but some specialist dealers. And if that collector switched to being a specialist dealer that would be very advantageous, indeed. Knowledge is King. Knowledge is Queen. But can you do both? I would argue no – if the dealer is helping clients build a collection in the same space. I don’t think disclosure is enough. As many of my musing readers know, I have a significant, if not one of the best, Beresford Egan collections in existence. I am always looking for the unusual and unique things that give a collection its spice. If I come across a rarity, would I give my customer dibs – not on your life. But, if I have a duplicate or have replaced one copy of a book with a better one, I think it fine to put that book up for sale, for anyone who wants it. But I’m not counselling – just a buyer/seller relationship.
The...Read More

Searle's Wicked World of Book Collecting

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:35:41 -0700

Recently, I had the opportunity to peruse a private library to purchase some books for the business. I had started a pile but when I came across the book featured in this musing, I knew right away that this was heading to our personal library. I have many books that have the words “Book Collecting” in the title but none like this little volume.
Slightly Foxed – But Still Desirable; Ronald Searle’s Wicked World of Book Collecting; The Folio Society, London, 2015. First published by Souvenir Press in 1989.
I have had a number of Searle’s books over the years and here is the write up I did for “Ronald Searle in Perspective”:
“Ronald Searle needs no introduction. His career as an illustrator has resulted in an astonishing output of work which has appeared in publications all over the world. He has to date published over fifty books; has provided the screen credits for a number of films; has produced some two hundred satirical lithographs and, as a designer to the French Mint, has sculpted more than two dozen commemorative medals in the last ten years. He has been called the most joyously vengeful pictorial satirist England has produced since Cruikshank. Few artists in any medium have stretched themselves so widely and so relentlessly. Ronald Searle in Perspective is the result of a unique selection made by Searle himself, and the variety and richness of his work is amply demonstrated in this collection.”
This book did not take long to read since there are hardly any words in it – mostly just the title of the illustration, found on the page opposite the illustration. Enjoy:
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L'Illustration 1914-1918

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 05:29:37 -0800

In April 2002, I walked into Kaya Books in Halifax and right away my eyes were drawn to a set of folio sized books sitting up on a top shelf. I asked the proprietor what they were and he told me what they were and that he had just acquired them. He got them down for me, not a small task, I took a quick look at them, a longer look at the price, but bought them anyway. I took them home to our new place in Hackett’s Cove and over the next few evenings, I went through them page by page. And as I went through, I jotted down what I thought were photographs, drawings, maps and artworks worth being able to find in a hurry down the road.
L'Illustration (1843–1944) was a French illustrated weekly newspaper published in Paris. It was founded by Édouard Charton with the first issue published on 4 March 1843, it became the first illustrated newspaper in France then, after 1906, the first international illustrated magazine; distributed in 150 countries.
This series of volumes is 99% dedicated to World War I. The coverage never wavered and covered all theaters of the conflict. It did not hesitate to include illustrations of the war dead – as long as...Read More

The Saturday Magazine 1835-1838

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 05:18:36 -0800

A short while ago, I went to look at the collection of a friend of mine. He was born in Great Britain and came to Canada when he was 10 or so. His father served in the Royal Navy and the book collection was very strong in this area. My friend mentioned he once lived on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia and once a year there was a community garage sale all along the highway. This accounted for some library items that stood out from their military brethren.
When I saw the three large, leather spines sticking up, I had to pick those out for a look. A quick look, told my friend what I would pay for them, and put them in my book pile. And when I got home, I spent hours looking through these three books.
The Saturday Magazine; Published under the direction of The Committee of General Literature and Education; Appointed by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; six volumes each covering six months, starting July 1835 through June 1838; in three books; published by John William Parker, London. Included are weekly Parts 193 to 385. 1,544 very well illustrated pages.
The Saturday Magazine was a British magazine published from 7 July 1832 to 28 December 1844 – 801 weekly issues. The Saturday Magazine was established as an Anglican rival to the Penny Magazineas a way for the working man to educate himself.
The Saturday Magazine was primarily intended for working-class adults and families, encompassing laborers,...Read More

In Memory of Rahno and Her Mom

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 06:47:45 -0800

Earlier today, I went into a thrift store found a great golf book and a children’s book. The latter was published in 1929, an author, illustrator and publisher that I have never heard of. Some nice illustrations and I noted there was an envelope tucked inside the book as well. You never know what you find in books. I’m still waiting to find money in a book, although I have found other things worth money in books.
Later in the day, sat down did some research on the author of the children’s book, who was very well known and heavily involved in the rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. An interesting woman.
Gabby Gaffer by May Justus; illustrated by Carrie Dudley; published by The P. F. Volland Company, Joliet, 1929.
I did some research on the book, saw a few copies on Abebooks, and decided to price it at $50. That all changed when I picked up the envelope.
Postmarked 1947, with part of the address missing, but it was to someone in Montreal. Then I looked at the return address “NIAGARA SANATORIUM, LOCKPORT, N.Y.” The scourge of tuberculosis reared its ugly head.
Inside the envelope was a small gift card.
Opened up the card and a nicely typed letter, dated November, 1946. But not posted until March 1947. Addressed to “Rahno Darling”. Ah, I went back to the name on the half title, that I could not make out – yep Rahno. Above the gift inscription “Happy Birthday from Harry”
And then I read the Letter:
“I wonder if you know how very much joy & happiness you...Read More

Digitalize Your Library

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 05:48:11 -0800

If someone came into our house, and walked into the library or down into the bookstore, and randomly picked out a book and asked me, “When did you buy this book, from whom, and how much did you pay?” I could answer that question with 100% accuracy within about one minute. Is it because I have a photographic memory – nope. It is because, as an anal accountant, back in the mid-1970s, I made the decision that when I bought a book for the library, it should be a first edition (if possible) in great condition (if possible), and so on but I decided that I should write up the acquired books information on one of those lined 5”x3” index cards. I still do it today, whether it is for our personal library or for Raven & Gryphon Fine Books. The information entered on the card includes: author, title, if illustrated and by whom, the publisher, place of publication and date, edition, a physical description of the book and dust jacket with condition noted, how much was paid, to whom, and where, month of purchase and on the back of the card, if warranted, estimates of current value.
Terrific!
As I write this, we have exactly 3,539 books as at the end of the last quarter, in the book business. We have a rather large Excel Book Inventory worksheet: the first worksheet is a summary of purchases and sales, by year of acquisition, with the total cost. The second worksheet has the same outline but reflects the revenue/replacement value rather than cost. The next worksheet has a listing of all books, with an indication whether or not an item has been sold for books acquired in 1974. This is followed by a sheet for every year up to 2026. This is of extreme value for insurance purposes, and only last month, I increased the coverage to 100%.
Still terrific!
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Vanity Fair 100 Years

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 05:26:10 -0800

I love illustrated books, as I mention constantly in my musings. And this includes photography, of course. Our book business has over 500 such items in inventory, and our personal library has many as well – items that I don’t want to pass on, as yet.
I do not collect magazines, but they are a treasure trove of art and photography, but I do have some books featuring the work of those magazines. Condé Nast publishes two of the greatest – Vogue and Vanity Fair. I have had 4 or 5 Vogue related books and only recently got one on Vanity Fair. It is one of the books currently on my bedside table. With the judicious use of pillows, I can read this large book measuring 14” by 11.5”, and weighing 10 pounds.
The covers of the American and European issues, pre-war, are spectacular – not photographs but drawn art. As far as content goes I found that Vogue has focused on royalty and the upper crust of society. What they wear, what they eat, who throws the best parties – it is haute cuisine, haute couture, haute this & that. I found that Vanity Fair focuses more on the famous, especially Hollywood, and the powerful.
Vanity Fair 100 Years; from the Jazz Age to Our Age; edited by Graydon Carter; Essays by Amy Fine Collins, David Friend, Sam Kashner, Nancy Schoenberger, Annie Leibovitz, and Jim Windolf; Abrams, New York, 2013.
In his introduction, Carter who at the time was editor, of Vanity Fair, explained how the magazine, started in 1913, went into hiatus in 1936, revived in 1983. During the first phase noted photographers were Read More