I don’t know about this Internet hoopla. On the one hand I’m elated to be able to make connections, conduct research, see lots of books and manuscripts for sale, get material listed and pictured on the Internet, exchange views, keep in contact with folks sometimes on a daily basis, but on the other hand one never knows what one is going to find (some good, but lots bad), or if brain fragmentation and disintegration can affect my brain as Nicholas Carr argues in this latest book The Shallows (by the way, I think it already has) It just seems like a two edged sword to me. Anyway, I happened to enter the world of the “blog” (a world of the Tower of Babble if you ask me) back in April and was surprised happening upon the comments of one BENWAUGH. OK, so what could it hurt to enter into an exchange with this fellow, especially since he misrepresented who I am and what my book business and collecting have been about. I thought some of the Delaware Bibliophiles —or at least the ones who have subjected themselves to a kind of torture in reading my squibs— might enjoy the following exchange which briefly took place between me and this BENWAUGH. First I had to make up a blog name so I called myself PRBMOSHER and the rest is recorded below:
BENWAUGH Apr 1, 2010, 7:55 AM
On John Gray and Dorian:
[website given]
On Thomas Mosher’s Press and The Bibelot:
[website given]
MAKIFAT Apr 1, 2010, 2:44 PM
Thanks for the Mosher link. I have a few random issues of the Bibelot, but not nearly as many as you.
BENWAUGH Apr 1, 2010, 3:03 PM
You may be pleased to know there is [an] excruciatingly knowledgeable dealer from Portland, ME – the owner of Mosher Books – who can fill any and all gaps Mosher, at a price. He has also written a book, which I keep meaning to think about buying: Thomas Bird Mosher: Pirate Prince of Publishers (sounds like an editor made up the title, I know).
PRBMOSHER Apr 6, 2010, 11:06 AM
Benwaugh:
Just a little bit by way of correction: I am the “excruciatingly knowledgeable dealer” of whom you speak, but I am not from Portland, Maine, nor have I ever been. I am the owner of MOSHER BOOKS but I cannot “fill any and all gaps Mosher” even at ten times a price. The Mosher Press bibliography’s name was not the editor’s idea although he liked the alliterative twang, and more importantly –something for which I fought– was the subtitle “A Comprehensive Bibliography & Source Guide to The Mosher Books Reflecting England’s National Literature & Design” If any reader there wishes further information, he/she may consult the…
–IOBA interview at: [website given]
–Mosher Press Website at: [website given]
–Books, Articles, Essays, & Publications at: [website given]
–Bishop Collection of the Mosher Press at: [website given]
–MOSHER BOOKS website at: [website given]
Sorry for the “excruciatingly knowledgeable” response but couldn’t help myself 😉
Message edited by its author, Yesterday, 11:13am.
BENWAUGH Apr 6, 2010, 11:21 AM
Thank you very much for your post and much needed/quite deserved chastisement/correction of my misinformed assertions. I hope you will forgive my cocky exuberance – though I do hope I sent some your (and Mosher’s) way.
Message edited by its author, Yesterday, 11:27am.
PRBMOSHER Apr 6, 2010, 12:03 PM
Think nothing of it. I enjoy such “cocky exuberance” and the opportunity it affords to have the story corrected and further publicized. Yours was a favor waiting to be utilized, and all in the spirit of correction and having a little fun, not chastisement. Cheers!
BENWAUGH Apr 6, 2010, 1:39 PM
I’m glad you liked my preferred euphemism 😉 – hope to hear more (20% off all inventory for abyssinians, etc. :). It is very interesting to me that so much from this period is coming back to press.
Oh, and were any of the blog’s readers guided my way because of this blog and our exchange. Not a one.
Phil Bishop
July 7, 2010
This article is Copyright © by Philip R. Bishop. Permission to reproduce the above article has been granted by Gordon Pfeiffer of the Delaware Bibliophiles and editor of that organization’s newsletter, Endpapers, in which the article appeared in the September 2010 issue. No portion of this article may be reproduced or redistributed without expressed written permission from both parties.