Newsletter - Heads Up

Heads Up! The 30% Sale Continues!
 
Books will be 30% off when you buy a minimum $50 purchase.
The sale will continures through January 3, but don't wait. This time of year, books sell quickly, especially the rare and collectibles.

New Years Hours
We will close at 5:00 on Thursday the 31st and be open noon to 6:00 on Jan. 1st.

On the Calendar
Friday January 8th, 7:00 – 9:00.
Charles Kettner Ph.D. will be here signing Die Kettner Briefe Dr. Kettner edited this collection of letters which consists of 39 letters exchanged between Franz Kettner and his family in Germany from 1850 to 1875. The letters, printed in German with their English translations, is enhanced by photographs, both old and new, and other supporting documents. Franz was an early farmer and stockman in Comal, Gillespie, and Mason Counties . He participated in several campaigns with the Texas Rangers and later, during the Civil War, was a member of the Minute Men (local militia). He ran a store and post office in Castell. He hauled freight from the Texas coast to Fort Mason . He was a sheriff in both Gillespie and Mason Counties and was the Tax Accessor. Franz held the prestigious position of Cattle and Hide Inspector during the era of large cattle drives from Mason County . Dr. Kettner will talk about the book and how it came about from 7:30 – 8:00.

An Evening with W.C. Jameson and Mike Blakely.
Mike and W.C. are both musicians, songwriters, authors and poets. They will play original music in an intimate setting and sign books. CD’s will also be on sale. Mike and W.C.have many fans and for good reason. Don’t miss this truly personal evening with two of the most gifted and prolific musicians and songwriters in Texas . Saturday January 9th, 7:00 – 9:00 (or longer)
http://www.mikeblakely.com/
http://wcjameson.com/

Personal Book Sellers
One of our favorite things about our customers is that we get to know you. A healthy number of you inquire and purchase books mentioned in the newsletter or featured on the blog. If you would like more information about a book, let us know and we will send you additional photos and more specific information about the book. We can take your payment information over the phone and ship it to you.

New Arrivals
Around the World with General Grant by J. Russell Young, two volume set, 1879, $150

Cowboy Life in Texas by W. S. James, 1893, $120

Old Ranches of the Texas Plains paintings by Mondel Rogers, signed first ed., 1976, $95

Texas, Its Lore and Lure by Caleb Pirtle, Jr. with paintings by Donald Mitchell, signed, 1983, $35

Tempest Valley by Vince Taylor, signed first ed., 1985, $85

Eden Tree by Witter Bynner, signed first ed., 1932, $100

The Birds of Heaven by Peter Matthiessen, signed first ed., 2001, $125

Hot Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman, signed, second printing, 2008, $45

John James Audubon by Richard Rhodes, signed first ed., 2004, $45

Happy New Year!
From Jessica, Lucy, David and Emily the shop cat

Last Minute Update

Recent New Arrivals in Time for Christmas

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Garcia-Marquez, 1970, $50

Leaves of Grass by Whitman, 1902, $35

Little Prince by DeSaint-Erupery, 1942, $35

Pastures of Heaven by Steinbeck, first ed., 1946, $45

Cannery Row by Steinbeck, 1945, $25

Works of Jane Austen, 10 vol box set, 1969, $125

Watch the Northwind Rise by Robert Graves, signed first ed., $150

Problems by John Updike, signed limited ed., #109 of 350, 1979, $185


We will close Christmas Eve at 6, and reopen on the 26th at 10.

Merry Christmas!

Newsletter: Faux Snow

Holiday Special for the Online Inhibited
We have a store on eBay with around 250 titles. If you are eBay shy browse our store anyway and e-mail me if you see a title you want. Stop by to pick it up and pay without the online details. If you live out of town, e-mail me and we will arrange payment and shipping details over the phone (830-997-1535). The special will run until December 30.
Here’s the link: http://stores.ebay.com/berkman-books

Recent New Arrivals
Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, first American ed. illustrated by Arthur Rackham, 1915, $950

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway first ed., first state, 1940, $400

Pioneers in Gods Hills, vol 1, 1983, $80, and vol 2, 1974, $80 and another vol 2, 1972, $85

Lyndon Johnson Story by Booth Mooney, first ed., signed by LBJ, 1956, $200

Where Flies the Flag by Henry Harbour, first American edition, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, 1904, $450

Give a Rare Gift
A book is a gift that can live a lifetime and beyond. It is valuable and thoughtful. It might bring laughter or tears. It can be visually delightful. Children’s books expand young minds and inspirational books can change the way you think. Frolic in a romance, get to know a historical figure, race through a mystery or just enjoy having a rare book on the shelf that has a story behind it. So many antiquarian books were originally gifts and have inscriptions written with pen and ink, some scrawled and some swirling script.

Many of these books were handed down from generation to generation, over decades, even centuries. A good book can change the way we see our world or take us to another world. What other gift has this power?

I’m not implying that a tie or pair of gloves is less remarkable than a book. For that person who loves books as well as a beautiful tie or comfy gloves, seriously think about giving a rare or collectible book. Here are a few suggestions for affordable gifts for all kinds of book enthusiasts on your list.
Consider childhood classics that will be sure to bring a broad smile of recognition. Tom Swift, Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames and for your friends that were children in the 30’s and 40’s, a Big Little Book or Zane Grey.

For your Sci-Fi buffs we have a first edition Dune and for poetry lovers we have a sweet book, For Loves Sweet Sake, an 1899 collection edited by G. Hembert Westley.

Cook book collectors might enjoy our 1939 World Wide Cook Book or an early Fredericksburg Home Kitchen Cook Book.

A Book-Lovers Holidays in the Open by Theodore Roosevelt from 1924 is a handsome gift your history/outdoor enthusiast.

Masters of American Comics is an eye popper for the budding doodling illustrator.

Artistically minded friends may enjoy photographer Andrew Eccles’s Ailey Ascending, A Portrait in Motion.

Blue Dog Speaks by George Rodrigue is original art that appeals to the playful at heart.

My favorite art book in the children’s’ section is the four volume set How Artist See by Colleen Carroll.

We have several copies of Lady Bird Johnson’s White House Diary 1970 first edition and LBJ’s Vantage Point 1971 first edition.

From the Antiquarian Case
The two volume set of Alexandre Dumas’s 1889 D’Artagnan Romances Twenty Years After is one of the more affordable and appealing items in the antiquarian case.

World Displayed – Ancient History, from the 1800’s, is a beautiful old leather piece that states that the world began in 4004 B.C. (FYI) Fascinating.

A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law is the 18th edition printed in 1821. Imagine a work that had already been printed 18 times by 1821! Another tactile delight.

If the book you are drawn to is out of your price range, ask a friend of family member to pitch in. They may never have thought of giving such a unique gift. You might be surprised to see the reaction to the suggestion. The recipient’s reaction will be pure pleasure.

We Wish You a Joyful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year,
Lucy, David, Jessica and Emily (she who naps in the Dickens Village faux snow)

New Rare Arrivals

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, eight printing, 1985, signed, $200

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, first ed., 1985, $150

Where the Blue Begins by Morely, illustrations by Arthur Rackham, 1922, $45

Arabian Nights by Kate Douglas Wiggin, illustrated by Maxfield Parrish, 1909, $75

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, 35th anniversary ed., signed, $1500

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, first ed., signed, 1980, $250

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, first ed., signed, $550

Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, First Ed., signed, $75

King Ranch by Tom Lea, first ed., first state, signed, 1957, $325

On the Way:

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, first ed., 1940

The Night Before Christmas, Arthur Rackham

New Arrival Bargains

If you want to purchase a book featured on the blog or newsletter, email or call us and you will get a 20% discount! For our out-of-town friends, we can send you more a detailed description and pictures. If you like what you see, we will ship it to you. Remember, the blog features are update about every ten to 14 days. They sell quickly, so be sure to check it out regularly. http://berkmanbooks.blogspot.com


Coming Up

Saturday Dec., 5th Jennifer Ramsey will be here signing the latest in the series, A Lady’s Day Out in the Texas Hill Country. This is volume three of the Texas series highlighting great places to shop and see in the central Texas area. Read stories and history about unique Texas entrepreneurs, their shops (us, too!) and lodging accommodations, including many Fredericksburg establishments. Jennifer will be here from 11 am to 1 pm.

December 10th at 7:00. Llano author Laurie Wagner Buyer will be here signing and reading her newest release, Infinite Possibilities: A Haiku Journal. In addition to reading poetry, Mrs. Buyer will have a general workshop for poets that want to develop their skills and find a publisher.

When she is not on the road presenting workshops, poet and novelist Laurie Wagner Buyer divides her time between Woodland Park, Colorado, and Llano, Texas.
Laurie has an MFA in Writing from Goddard College and is the author of three collections of poetry, Glass-eyed Paint in the Rain, Red Colt Canyon and Across the High Divide, which won the Western Writers of America Spur Award in Poetry and was named a Willa Cather Literary Award Finalist.

Her first novel, Side Canyons, was released in 2004. Laurie received the Beryl Markham Prize for Spring's Edge, a memoir released in 2008 which became a finalist for the Colorado Book Award in 2009. A member of The National League of American Pen Women and Women Writing the West, Laurie's freelance articles and photographs have appeared in dozens of periodicals, journals, reviews, and anthologies.

New Arrivals

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, first ed., 1940, $50

Atlas Shrugged by Ann Rand, 1975, $50

Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers, 1936, $200

Rachel Papers by Martin Amis, first American ed., 1974, $100

Wildflower Portraits by Eloise Reid Thompson, signed first ed., 1964, $60. The lovely thing about this book is the previous owner dried flowers in it. What wonderful inspiration the paintings provided.

Leaving Cheyenne by Larry McMurtry, first ed., 1963, $750

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, first ed., 1985, $110

I Love Art Books

Words and Images of Edvard Munch by Bente Torisen, first ed., 1986, $50

Seeing Red, the Rapture of Redheads by Howard Schatz, first ed., 1993, $95

Erotic Drawings by Gustov Klimt, first American ed., 1980, $200