Complaints and Disorders: The Sexual Politics of Sickness

This awesome 1973 pamphlet graced my desk -

Complaints and Disorders: The Sexual Politics of Sickness

Introduction paragraph:
"The medical system is strategic for women's liberation. It is the Guardian of reproductive technology-birth control, abortion, and the means for safe childbirth. It holds the promise of freedom from hundreds of unspoken fears and complaints that have handicapped women throughout history."

It has some pretty awesome photos and cartoons inside. (see photo)

Thomas Ashe's First Work - 1588

This Christmas miracle is a beautifully preserved first edition of Thomas Ashe's first work titled:

"La Table al lieur des Reports del tresreuerend Judge Sir Iames Dyer Dhiualer, iades chiefe Iustice del common banke: per quel facilment & troueront toutes choses conteinus in icel ore tarde compose per T[homas] A[she]"

Ashe was an English legal writer who entered as a student of he Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, one of the four professional associations for barristers and judges in London, in 1574. He was called to the bar on January 24, 1582-3 and finally became pensioner of his inn on October 17, 1597.

This work is the first abridgment of any reports of a named reporter, and launched Ashe's career as the master and pioneer of this genre of legal literature.

The work is bound in contemporary calf. 

Minimal cracking, and firm joints

American Bandits

A 1938 copy of "American Bandits" which is a really fun, short read! The deeds of Jesse James, Bonnie and Clyde, as well as other notorious American outlaws, rebels, and gangsters are highlighted in this book!

Dr. Welwood's Memoirs

A copy of Dr. Welwood's Memoirs printed in 1702. The cover has beautiful blind stamping, and inside there are signs of pesky bookworms (yes, they're real)!

A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of the Sublime and Beautiful

Today we got in a 5th edition of Edmund Burke's "A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful" from 1772. This was the first complete philosophical work contemplating the separation of the sublime and beautiful into their own respective categories. This was a very controversial work, and was commented on by Immanuel Kant and drew the attention of Denis Diderot.

Memoirs of Sir Robert Peel

A copy of the "Memoirs of Sir Robert Peel" from 1857. What a beauty! The gilded edges are not only decorative, but serve a purpose. They help protect the pages from browning, moisture, and dust.

A little about the subject: Sir Robert Peel twice served as Prime Minister of the U.K. (December 1834 - April 1835 & August 1841 - June 1846). He is thought of as the father of modern British policing and a founding member of the modern Conservative Party.

What comes next?

I'm FINALLY working in a library! Books! BOOKS EVERYWHERE!

It has taken me quite some time to decide how to move forward with this blog. The intent of this blog was to chronicle my journey through library school, and help those traveling the same path (perhaps even help others decide if they want to take the same journey). Now that I've been in my new position for almost 3 months, I think I've found one direction I'd like to take this blog - acquisitions. Since acquisitions is the name of the game for me, I see so many cool and interesting things cross my desk, so I figure, why not share it with the world?! 

My goal: post an "item of the week" every week. Something that really captures my attention and I think would be really fun for everyone to see books, artifacts, or something neat about where I work! I hope to also add the occasional "What I've Learned" post in here, as this job has definitely been a learning experience, but I've got to decide how I want to structure those first. 

Ultimately, be sure to keep a watch, as I am going to start posting TOMORROW! I already have something really cool sitting on my desk currently, that I think you are all going to love!

Until next time!