Handling ATD

[John Keiller]

Henry

No. You're not alone. Washed my hands before handling book and opened the
book wide just enough to read, but not far enough to risk damaging the
spine.
Decided half way through that I was being ridiculous and that my low-level
obsessive-ness was threatening to erode any enjoyment I may derive. So went
out and bought another copy for the shelf which will remain unopened and
pristine next to the first editions of M&D, V and TCofL49. 
Now I can relax and read, with grubby hands or not ...  and with the spine
bent backwards so the book holds itself open.

Yrs settling into the second half

John K

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pynchon-l at waste.org [mailto:owner-pynchon-l at waste.org] On Behalf
Of Henry Musikar
Sent: 25 November 2006 17:47
To: pynchon-l at waste.org
Subject: Handling ATD

My ATD is not leaving the house or entering any rooms accustomed to high
humidity. I have removed the dust jacket so that it won't become dinged or
dingy, I make sure that my hands are clean before handling the book, and I
will soon make a book cover, much as we made for our text books when I was a
boy, but... of what material? Is the paper from brown paper bags/sacks okay
for archival/valued/cherished/valuable editions?

Please tell me that I am not alone in my respectful (neurotic?) handling of
the new "The Book."

Henry