GR 1st edition, he thinks

[Arne Herl�v Petersen]

Of course it's irrational to collect first editions.
The whiff of history from the 18th Century calfskin, the gilt Thalia
mask on the richly decorated shirting on the first editions of Ibsen,
the profusion of V's in all styles scattered down the violet cover of
TRP's first book, a hint of the monomaniac...
all these irrational things.
But then reading fiction isn't very rational, is it?
Or falling in love or watching the sunset, when you could do something
more practical.
...
And, yes, sometimes also the economical aspect. Putting one's savings in
art and books in stead of in Nike stocks or Japanese war bonds...
to have this small investment right there, on the shelf, graspable and
close and in such a wonderful disguise, money clad in art.
...
And the fun of it, trading, going to church bazars, sifting through
mountains of dross to find this one nugget somewhere, this gasp of pure
joy, did you see that, I believe it's a first, wait, let me see...
Idly leafing through the book club and Readers Digest books in a small
provincial used book store, finding the rare author's gift inscription,
the collection of poems that was originally printed privately in 150
copies...

Like stumbling across the footprints of a snow leopard

Arne