What Color Is your Boa?
Most of you know that last week was the Romance Writers of America national conference, in which Romance authors the world over meet to eat bon-bons, compare our boas, and send our assistants off to do all the work. I drove down to Anaheim with the marvelous Isobel Carr, by the way.Anyhow, the weekend before the road trip, Isobel, Miranda Neville, and Pam Rosenthal drove up my way so we could have High Tea at Patisserie Angelica. (OH MY GOD! I am officially a name dropper.) Have I mentioned that Jo Bourne once came to Patisserie Angelica for High Tea? She did. And then she won a RITA. Just saying.
Patisserie Angelica: where all the cool historical romance authors have High Tea.
I'm still working on Jennifer Haymore. I got Grace Burrows as far as Petaluma after RWA. We had an amazing dinner, but the meeting was a bit ad hoc and she had Big Trees to see so the jaunt to Sebastopol was not possible. Not so long ago, Liz Maverick was here and now her life is sparkly. Our very own Risky Megan has been here.
Sonoma County: Where all the cool writers come to visit. Or live. (I am not kidding.)
If you're ever in Sonoma County, hit me up and I will show you the awesome.
Right. So, Isobel Carr, on the pre-RWA trip to Sebastopol, was telling me all about this book about male fashion that was super cheap for some reason she couldn't fathom. Isobel Carr is, as many of you probably know, something of a history of fashion expert, so when she identifies a great reference book, it's wise to listen up.
Since I had my iPad handy I immediately went in search of the book, found it after a bit of trouble with the spelling of the author's last name and saw it was indeed available for $5.00.
Dear Readers, I bought it.
My Book Has Come In
Today, the book arrived. It had to come all the way from Canada. I think a dog sled was involved. The Male Image, Men's Fashion from 1300-1970 by Penelope Byrde. It's hardback and in excellent condition since it has a library binding. And guess what??? This is so low tech I'm giddy. |
| It's an old fashioned Library Book! |
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| Look! The pink thing comes out. |
I can't wait to go through it looking for pictures of men in high boots (definitely not male duds!) or gentlemen in tights and that dead sexy frac. Also, I see there is a lengthy section on the history of the neckcloth.
Also, I can't wait for publishers to get their acts together and start doing books like this in color.
Yea, I’m so glad it arrived! It's really the only book around that covers the topic of men's fashion the way it does (the other good one is “The Cut of Men's Clothes: 1600-1900” by Norah Waugh, but it might be a little more suited to costumers than “The Male Image”).
ReplyDeleteAnd I’m pretty much addicted to that bakery now. Gonna need monthly trips for frozen croissants!
I think you got the last cheap one in existence. Just googled and I can get one for $56 dollars. Do you think they read the blog and put the price up?
ReplyDeleteI believe I have the Waugh book already.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip and gosh, those croissants cook up great, don't they?
Let me know next time you're headed my way.
PrincessFiona1: Try ABE Books. I think that's where I found it for $5.00. Amazon wasn't even close price-wise.
ReplyDeleteThe tea sounds marvelous!
ReplyDeleteI looked for the book. Too expensive for even me who can usually talk herself into anything! Five bucks was a literal steal.
One of my best friends from high school lives in Sebastopol, and I hope to visit her next summer (we seem to get together every other year). I'll definitely put Patisserie Angelica on the itinerary. I'm sure she won't mind, as our common taste for baked goods is one of the reasons we've stayed friends for so many years.
ReplyDeleteSusan/DC I hope you make it up here next summer. Let me know if you do.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is KILLING my research book budget. Heck it is killing my budget period. I ordered a book about Parliament just recently and I think it was this blog of History Hoydens that suggested it. OH! And I just got Peerage law in England. Fascinating. I think that was another Isobel recommendation. Off to look for The Male Image and gnash my teeth at the price.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I was thinking something colorful at your title, Carolyn.
I can't justify the book, although I'd like to. I am not a writer and really don't need it, except to look through for enjoyment. If I did see it at a library sale, though, I would grab it. Libraries weed many good books due to lack of space. If a book doesn't get checked out for a year or so, it will be removed. There are so many good books coming out, you have to make room for them somehow. It was the part of my job I disliked the most, unless it was a book I wouldn't mind for my own collection. ( and no, I didn't delete books for my home library. I have too many orphan books for my shelves now.)
ReplyDeleteI am glad the local university library has this book, otherwise I would be even more tempted. :)
ReplyDelete