Howard Park: I only met Ted Joans once, at the 1994 NYU Beat Conference. According to my somewhat altered consciousness and memory of the time, Ted and Jack Micheline stole the show. At the time, … [Read more...]
Ted Joans Lives! Tribute (1)
Jim Haynes: Ted Joans and I have been close friends and associates since our first meeting in Edinburgh in 1960. He stayed in my home in Edinburgh, later in London and often in Paris. I launched my … [Read more...]
Ted Joans Lives! A Tribute
When Charlie Parker died, Ted Joans coined the phrase 'BIRD LIVES' and wrote it in chalk or charcoal on walls. Laura Corsiglia suggests that we remember Ted in the same way:GRAB SOME SIDEWALK CHALK OR … [Read more...]
On Collecting Literary Ephemera
The term ephemera refers to items, usually printed on paper, which are meant to have a very short life span. These may include tickets, bookmarks, advertisements, event posters, programs, menus, news … [Read more...]
First Edition Condition
Book Condition & Grading Book collectors generally want books that are in as close to their original condition as possible. Books that appear new & unread (or nearly so), are most desirable. … [Read more...]
Should you write a gift inscription in a first edition or collectible book?
Books make thoughtful, personal gifts. Often, the giver would like to write a short note to the recipient inside the book; this is called a gift inscription. It's worth noting that gift inscriptions … [Read more...]
Bookplates – Various Types, Desirability & How They Affect Book Values
A bookplate is a small printed label which is adhered to a book, most often inside the front cover. They are also sometimes known as "ex libris," meaning "from the library of.") They're most commonly … [Read more...]
Authors Copyright and Permissions
For some reason, Empty Mirror receives a fair amount of email from folks looking for contact information for particular writers. On occasion those searching for copyright permissions inquire as well. … [Read more...]
How to Care for Your Collectible Books: 18 Tips
I recently received an email from a reader who asked, "Is there a correct, careful way to handle a book so as not to damage it? That is--is it possible to be both a book collector and a reader of the … [Read more...]
Remembering Ted Joans – Beat / Surrealist Poet & Artist
Tributes & Celebrations: TED JOANS LIVES! A TRIBUTE is found on this website. To contribute, please email us. A celebration of Ted Joans' life took place in Vancouver B.C. on Wednesday, May … [Read more...]