Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Book Bliss

Furniture and Fixtures
All of our lovely furniture and fixtures will not fit in our new little shop. What is left will go on sale to newsletter recipients on Tuesday September 14th at 10:00 a.m. An ad in the paper will invite the general public to shop the rest beginning Wednesday the 15th.  Payment must be made by cash or check, as credit cards will not be accepted and all purchases must leave with you. 

Boxers
The move will be closely orchestrated and we need strong arms able to move furniture and boxes of books. There is one large item we REALLY need help with. I know this is your favorite thing to do in the whole world, there will be compensation. Call Lucy if you would like to assist. (830) 997-1535.

Old World
In 1764, Florida was bounded by Canada on the North, by British America and the Atlantic Ocean on the East, by Gulpf (yup, Gulpf) of Mexico on the South and by New Mexico on the West. New Mexico including California was 2000 miles in length and 1600 miles in width.
(Source: A New Geographical and Historical Grammar wherein the Modern and the Present State of the Several Kingdoms of the World is so Interpreted as to Render the Study of Geography both Entertaining and Instructive. Or, in short, The New Geographical Grammar published by AUTHORITY. )
This Ninth Edition, 1764, with very great Additions and Improvements to the Present Times is Dedicated to His Majesty, King George the Third and to the British Princes and Princesses, His Royal Brothers and Sisters. $900
No texting here, ty.


Twilight of the Empire by Allan Eckert, Signed First Edition, 1988, $95

Diary of Virginia Wolf by Anne Olivier Bell, 5 vol set, 1980, $140

The Waves by Virginia Wolf, 1931, $95

Zeka and Ned by Larry McMurtry, First Edition, Signed Twice, 1997, $65

Somebody’s Darling
by Larry McMurtry, Signed First, Edition, 1978 $125

Trailing the Longhorns by Sue Flanagan, Signed First Edition, 1974, $75

German Artists of Early Texas by Marjorie von Rosenburg, Signed First Edition, 1982, $60

Llano County by Llano County Historical Society, First Edition, 1989, $125

Easter Fires by Mary Doson Wade, Signed First Edition, 1984, $55

Revealing Character by Robb Kendrick, Signed First Edition, 2005, $120

The Sapphire Story Book
by Penryhn Coussens, Frontispiece by Maxfield Parrish, First Edition, 1917, $450


Formatting the Word of God from the Charles Caldwell Ryrie Collegtion, An Exhibition at the Birdwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, SMU, October 1998, $50

Simone De Colines Annotated Catalogue
by Fred Schreiber, Limited First Edition, 1995, $125

Ancient Sweetness
Long before the Aztec Empire, Mesoamerican lowland civilizations including the Olmec (1150-300 BC) and Maya (200 BC-AD 1550) raised and traded cacao as a valuable commodity. They drank it, as did the Mayans and the Aztecs, who poured it from one pot to another in order create froth on top, the part they liked best.

Spanish conquistadores and missionaries took the drink back to Europe, where it became fashionable with the aristocracy, who added sugar to it. The chocolate bar didn't exist until 1847. Today, Americans' average annual consumption of chocolate candy is nearly twelve pounds per person. Switzerland consumes more chocolate per capita than any other nation.

Enter Lecia Duke. Founded in 1984, Quintessential Chocolates Co. Inc. introduced a new product based on centuries old European process. After apprenticing under a Swiss master Chocolatier, Lecia’s Chocolat became the sole American producer of the process known as Liquid PraliƄe (liquid center chocolates). The process takes 3 to 4 days. Savor these morsels by letting each one dissolve slowly in your mouth. There is no hurrying centuries of delight.  

And the beautiful logo? The "Q" is from the artist Erte who created an alphabet from animals. The Resplendent Quetzal bird is native to Central America, southern Mexico, Guatamala, Yucatan through Panama. It was the most sacred symbol of the Aztec/Maya. The Aztecs considered it a blessing when Quetzalcoatl flew over. Likewise the “Q” in Quintessential represents the purest essence of any one thing, that fifth essence of life, the intangible life force beyond earth, wind, fire and water.

Visit Chocolat’s new location at 330 West Main Street, right next to the Fredericksburg Winery. The mural will tell the story of cacao, honoring the indigenous people who brought us chocolate. We must not forget from whence Chocolat came. My confession: late at night, I love getting lost in the book shelves while dining on wine and chocolate. Book bliss.

Email Newsletter

This month's Literary Birthday is Howard Hawks

“I'm a storyteller - that's the chief function of a director. And they're moving pictures, let's make 'em move!”


Our email newsletter has over 900 recipients. We send it in plain text format with no graphics and has the same information as the blog. What the newsletter has that the blog does not is a monthly biography of a literary figure. It is also a good reminder to keep in touch with the store, events and New Arrivals. If you would like to receive the newsletter, let us know. info@berkmanbooks.com or call 830-997-1535.

All we need is your first and last name and email address. This information is not shared.



Three Ingredients for Life

Three Ingredients for Life

Perspective

Perspective

Local Color

Local Color

Art

Art

Collectibles

Collectibles

Signed

Signed

Cooking

Cooking

First Editions and Collectibles

First Editions and Collectibles

Big Little Books

Big Little Books

Antiquarian

Antiquarian

Texana

Texana

A New Beginning

A New Beginning