Inadequacy

I'm not much of a collector. But I have spent a little time over the past five years picking up used copies of Anchor paperbacks from the mid and late 1950's. Specifically those with covers by Edward Gorey. It's become something of a habit of eye, as I walk by book tables or idly wander through a used bookstore; a certain style in the hand-drawn lettering on the spine is usually a giveaway; but anything close in an Anchor paperback will get a second look from me.

Of course, I could search for these online, but it always seems both pricey and beside the point (the ones I buy are rarely in truly 'collector' shape, and rarely cost me more than a couple of dollars). Moreover, I have never been sure how many of these there actually were.

There are, it turns out, many more than I had ever imagined. Why I hadn't found it before I can't say, but it's a fact that I just found this this site with it's many lovely features and its useful and daunting presentation of Gorey's Anchor covers. It makes my collecting gestures seem even more pitiful.

I don't have Coningsby, or Troilus and Cressida. It's easy enough to find young Maisie (one of his best covers, very dramatic), but I've never before laid eyes on the dandified young hero ofLafcadio's Adventures.

I should be happy that I have a very pretty copy of The Wanderer -- but I think I'd trade it for that True Tales of Crime and Rascality that's right next to it on this page (that one I just might have to search for online).

As far as Conrad goes, my Victory seems less thrilling, because I don't have a Chance. Worse, I'm pretty sure The Secret Agent slipped right under my nose. Sneaky bastard!

Posted by BT at August 28, 2002 06:48 PM