Bell's Books

One of the gems of Bell’s Rorty collection is Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Practical Reason. This 1948 edition of Kant’s monumental work on ethics was Richard Rorty’s personal copy, with underlining and marginalia. An invaluable insight into Rorty’s thought on ethical matters as they relate to Kant, it has various colors of markings indicating that Rorty returned to this work at different times to revisit certain relevant issues. With Rorty’s surname inked in his hand on the front free endpaper. 366 pages. A unique item!

Our new Bell’s Books bags have arrived in a number of new patterns.

Canvas or cotton. Just in time for the summer!

John Carter’s ABC for Book Collectors is back in stock from Oak Knoll Press. This is the definitive and latest edition of one of the very best resources on book collecting. It includes definitions and examples of some of the most commonly used terms in the book trade, such as “leaf book,” “condition,” “first printing,” “royal bindings,” and many more. Invaluable!

Priced new for $25.

A call came in the other day regarding a particular translation of a classic Greek tragedy which we had. Unfortunately, the customer was unable to find parking at that particular time, so the transaction was done by phone and handed to the customer curbside.

Total time from query to delivery: 10 minutes!

Allow us to help you

with your curbside

needs!

Time to brush off some old classics, or read some scary stories you didn’t get to in years past. There’s always Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (which is in at least two versions), or perhaps Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde. Why not try the weird tales of H.P. Lovecraft, or Stephen King’s collection of short stories entitled Night Shift, if you are looking for a change? Start your spooky reading now!

A lifetime gathering of signed, first, and rare editions of
California’s favorite author, offered for sale individually by Bell’s Books, Palo Alto

Just in! The First Trade Edition of John Steinbeck’s acclaimed work East of Eden. This is the version that was first available to the general public, in its original dust jacket; a scarce copy of one of our most requested titles. A great way to start your holiday gift shopping for the true book lover in your life.

For a number of years, when renowned literary figures came to speak at Stanford, photographer Margo Davis documented the authors in quiet photographic sessions. The results were outstanding portraits of many of the best-known writers of our time.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to view the collection and to meet the artist in person from 4 to 8 P.M. on Friday, October 13th. Margo’s books and prints will be offered for sale.

Bell’s is honored to display Margo’s work throughout Palo Alto’s Code:ART Public Art Festival, an engaging interactive event.

For more information on Margo’s work:

www.margodavisphoto.com

For more information on the Palo Alto CodeART event:

https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Community-Services/Arts-Sciences/Public-Art-Program/CodeART

Part of the long history of Bell’s Books is a profound appreciation of Classical music, particularly when it is on long playing records (also known as LPs). Sixty years ago when Bell’s was known as Bell’s College Book Shop and business was slow, the owner, Herbert Bell, used to sit outside the back under a tree and play Classical music on a portable turntable, on vinyl or early shellac albums. Any passersby who evinced interest were immediately commandeered to keep him company and listen. If Herbert enjoyed their company, they were offered beer, or sherry, according to his assessment of them.

Recently we acquired an exceptional collection of Baroque and early Classical LPs, all of which are in pristine condition. Composers include Frescobaldi, Vivaldi, Rameau, Monteverdi, and more. The emphasis is on harpsichord music, early opera, and a good dose of the first set of recordings of Bach’s complete cantatas (which include the musical scores in each box for those of you who want to follow along!).

We will be featuring some of the selections from this collection in the store, played on a traditional turntable through vintage speakers. It may be we are the only bookstore in the United States playing music in this manner, so swing by and enjoy some classical music in a vintage bookstore setting!