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Re: OP "Best Seller" List Available
- Subject: Re: OP "Best Seller" List Available
- From: Brad Councilman <interloc@EQUINOX.SHAYSNET.COM>
- Date: Wed, 28 Dec 1994 07:00:15 -0500
- In-Reply-To: <9412280718.AA28385@equinox.shaysnet.com>
- Message-ID: <"bk-w62.0.Dt7.MaCCn"@sul2>
- Sender: Rare Books and Special Collections Forum <EXLIBRIS@RUTVM1.BITNET>
Interloc (tm) News
Vol. 1, No. 12 (December, 1994)
Entire contents (c) Interloc, Inc.
All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part withou=
t
the written permission of Interloc, Inc. Editor: Richard M. Weatherford.
"Interloc" is a registered trademark of Interloc, Inc. P.O. Box 5 -
Southworth, WA 98386 USA. Voice: (206) 871-3617 - Fax: (206) 871-5626
E-Mail =3D Interloc@Shaysnet.com
INTERLOC STATUS REPORT as of 11/30/94:
BOOKS DATABASE - For Sale: 403,000
Wanted: 242,000
Prices Realised: 22,000
RECORDS PROCESSED - All: 1,042,000
(6/94 to date) Matches: 268,000
SUBSCRIBERS - Number: 370
Accurate Descriptions - How and Why
For many years, dealers and collectors have understood the wisdom of the
following: What are the three most important factors in determining the val=
ue
of a book? The first factor is condition, the second is condition, and the
third is condition.
There is more than a grain of truth in this. Most experienced collectors=
,
librarians, and dealers can tell more than one story about anticipating the
arrival of a first edition in very good condition of Huckleberry Finn or an
OZ book or some other treasure, only to find that the book is in terrible
condition, nearly worthless.
Describing condition involves an act of faith between the bookseller and
the customer. Mis-describing a book is dishonest, and it is bad business.
Nothing infuriates a buyer more.
Describing Condition
The following terms are the most commonly used to describe condition.
New - Reserved for new, in print books and for used books that are in
perfect, unread, as published condition. Any defect, any wear disqualifies =
a
book from being described as "New." For many people, "New" means that the
book has never been in the hands of a collector or reader.
Fine - Books in "Fine" condition are nearly as new. If there are any
defects, they must be so minor as to escape notice. As opposed to "New" boo=
k,
those in "Fine" condition are used and do not usually have that crisp, new
quality, but they are nearly perfect.
Very Good - Most books one sees offered for sale are called "Very Good."
These are used books that may show some slight signs of wear but have no
serious defects. Of course, all pages and illustrations are present, and th=
e
binding and dustjacket show little or no wear. As with all books, defects
must be described.
Good - Books in "Good" condition are average used books with some
noticeable wear and fading. They are, however, complete. Specific defects
must be described.
Fair - Few sophisticated collectors will want books in "Good" or "Fair"
condition, simply because these books show obvious wear and, thus, are not
attractive additions to a collection. Books in "Fair" condition, unlike tho=
se
in better condition, may have missing endpapers, lack the dustjacket, show
smudges and obvious wear. Even books in "Fair" condition must have defects
noted.
Poor - (Also, Reading Copy). Books in this condition are valued for thei=
r
text, which is complete, but they have little else to recommend them. Copie=
s
are usually stained, missing illustrations, and are beat up, with broken
hinges and weak or missing spines.
Other Appropriate Terms
Certain other descriptive terms apply to books in any condition. That is=
,
one of the above conditions may describe a book along with one or more of t=
he
following:
Ex-Library - (also written as Ex-Lib or X-Lib). The term refers to any
marks, internal and/or external, which identify the copy as having been in =
a
public, corporate, or lending library. Private library copies, usually
identified by a former owner's signature and/or bookplate, are not usually
identified as "Ex-Lib" books. The term is reserved for copies that have bee=
n
used in a more public setting. Binding Copy - Refers to books with complete
text and illustrations but which need rebinding or major binding repair.
Book Club Edition - A book may be in "Fine" condition and may even be a
First Edition, but if it is a "Book Club Edition," it must be identified as
such.
Dustjacket (or dj, or dw for dustwrapper) - if a book was issued with a
dustjacket, it should be mentioned. If not present, it must be mentioned.
A Final Word
It is VERY important to accurately describe books you are offering for
sale. Buyers who receive merchandise that is mis-described have every right
to return it, providing the return is made promptly. More to the point,
dealers who do not guarantee their merchandise to be satisfactory are suspe=
ct
and should be avoided.
Most buyers do not like to return books. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to understand that they would like to be pleasantly surprised by
the condition of the book when they open the package. Anything less is
disappointing and will surely cause a loss of future sales. Besides,
mis-describing a book is simply dishonest.
Dealers who consistently mis-describe books will have trouble keeping
customers.
News Notes -- Thefts & Security
19th Century Illustrations Stolen From SMU Library
The Central University Library of Southern Methodist University posted a=
n
announcement on the Internet in mid-November stating that "We have just
discovered that the map of the North-Eastern Parts of the United States and
118 engraved plates have been cut from the Central University Library copy =
of
American Scenery, by N. P. Willis, Esq. Illustrated in a Series of Views by
W. H. Bartlett. London, [1840]. 140 pp., 106 pp. (2 volumes in 1). Ours was
the earliest edition of Bartlett we could locate in the U.S. Seven copies
turn up on OCLC and one on RLIN (at Johns Hopkins, also apparently a later
edition)."
Anyone knowing of the whereabouts of a large number of Bartlett plates o=
n
the market should contact David Farmer, SMU Library, or Richard M.
Weatherford at Interloc (User ID =3D WEATHERF).
National Conference On Cultural Property Protection
A National Conference on Cultural Property Protection will be held
February 20-24, 1995, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.
The Conference will feature a dinner with John Walsh, of America's Most
Wanted, as featured speaker. Conference topics will include Rare Book and
Special Collection Thefts and Protection, In-House Vs Contract Guards, Guar=
d
Force Training, Internet Notices, and other topics. For more information,
contact Carol Miller, Free Library of Philadelphia, at 215-686-5319, or Dav=
id
Liston, Smithsonian, at 202-287-3446.
Two Book Thieves In Custody
Carol Miller, Head of Security at the Free Library of Philadelphia, has
informed the library community, and Interloc, that book thief Stuart
Adelman's parole violation has resulted in Mr. Adelman's being sentenced t=
o
an additional 14 months in federal prison. According to Ms. Miller, the
sentencing received strong coverage in the Philadelphia newspapers.
Ms. Miller also reported that Mark Lawrence Bilus, another book thief
wanted on a fugitive arrest warrant issued last spring, is now in custody i=
n
New York City. Both Adelman and Bilus were profiled in the May, 1994, issue
of the Interloc News.=20
Letters & Diaries Stolen From Univ. of Wyoming
The Univ. of Wyoming Police Department has reported to Interloc the thef=
t
of two Civil War diaries, Owen Wister letters, and other archive items.
These materials have been posted on the Interloc Missing & Stolen Books
database.
Information regarding this material should be forwarded to Lt. Tim Banks=
,
Univ. of Wyoming Police Department, Box 3124, Laramie, Wyoming 82071.
Update: Salt Lake City Book Store Robbery
In our last issue, we reported on the October 24th robbery of Sam Weller=
's
Zion Book Store. Some new information has surfaced in the meantime regardin=
g
this robbery.=20
Joel Chapman, of Acorn Books in San Francisco, reported in the second we=
ek
of November that his store had purchased one of the stolen books. The title
his store purchased was not on the list we reported; however, Chapman
reports, one of the half dozen books they were offered was on the list. Tha=
t
caught Mr. Chapman's attention. At the time of the purchase, he got the nam=
e,
address, and California driver's license of the seller, an excellent practi=
ce
under any circumstance.
California, and particularly San Francisco area booksellers should be on
the look-out. Stolen items are likely to turn up there, since at least one
already has been sold there.
A more complete list of the stolen items has been entered into the Missi=
ng
& Stolen Books Database on the Interloc On-Line System. Check this for
specific titles.
For more information, contact Tony Weller at Sam Weller Books, 254 South
Main, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. (801) 328-2586. A reward is being offered b=
y
the book store for information leading to the return of the books and the
capture of the thieves.
Questions & Answers
Q - During this past month, I have ordered some books from people who ha=
ve
already sold them but have not removed them from the database. Is there any
way to get people to take their sold books off the database?
A - Yes, there is. Send them an e-mail message telling them of your
frustration and asking them to keep their records current.
Any marketing method, whether it be catalog, or magazine, or on-line
system, is useful only as long as the information contained in it is good.
Interloc is speeding up the exchange of books, so those people who keep the=
ir
records current are getting repeat business. People who are not keeping the=
ir
files up to date are being passed over when people order books.
Again, if you find people are not keeping their records up to date, writ=
e
them an e-mail message telling them of your concern. If the situation
persists, Interloc has the right to remove accounts from the system, but th=
at
is a drastic solution. It is far better to work with people than it is to
punish them.
Q - I ordered a book from someone who did not describe the binding. When
it arrived, I was horrified to find that it was a paperback. How can I keep
this from happening?
A - When you order, be sure you specify hardback only. Misunderstandings
can occur if the binding is not described, or you do not ask about it.
However, it is also the responsibility of the person selling the book to
accurately describe what is being sold. No one can argue that the binding o=
f
a book is an inconsequential part of the whole book; therefore, it is
important to describe the binding.
The commonly held assumption in the trade is that a binding is "cloth" o=
r
"hardbound" unless otherwise noted. So, if you have a paperback, be sure to
mention that fact. If not, you will disappoint, and may lose, customers.
Q - I wanted to thank you for running stories on missing and stolen book=
s,
book thieves, and other issues of serious import to booksellers, collectors=
,
librarians, and others interested in the preservation of our written
heritage. I trust you will keep up the good work.
A - Count on it! Interloc is concerned that its customers and others ma=
y
be hurt by purchasing stolen books. If one buys anything that is stolen,
title does not pass to the buyer.
Furthermore, the theft of books, prints, maps, photographs, and all sort=
s
of other items is seriously damaging our libraries and museums. This
plundering of our cultural heritage is not going to stop, but it can be
slowed down. Burying our heads in the sand and pretending that it is not
happening will not help.
We have heard from many Interloc News readers who feel the same way as y=
ou
do. They also believe that these stories have been purposely ignored by oth=
er
book journals for far too long.
Q - I recently did a Quick Search and got several books listed by a deal=
er
with the price of $1. What a bargain! And when I called, the dealer raised
the prices on me. The nerve of some people!
A - I appreciate your sense of humor about this, but I suspect people wi=
th
books priced at $1 (the minimum price possible in the For Sale database on
Interloc) do not think it is funny.
We always suggest that everyone with items on Interloc look at their
listings soon after they first send them up just to make sure there are no
problems with listings. A review of the Export Log will show everything tha=
t
has been sent. If there are problems (price not listed, etc.) you have an
opportunity to fix them.
In this particular case, no price was given in the Price field. It is VE=
RY
important that prices be listed in the price field, because people doing
catalogs for customers may want to adjust prices to reflect some profit for
them, and if the prices are in the Comments or Note or some other field,
those prices will not be adjusted.
So - Check your records to see that they look good, are readable, and ha=
ve
all the information you want included. And check them to see that the price=
s
are listed correctly.
Remember, each Interloc subscriber is responsible for his/her own record=
s.
Interloc cannot edit individual records for you.
Q - In my Record Manager program, I have a whole bunch of messages in my
Off-Line Mailbox. I have deleted some, but I want to save others. The probl=
em
is, when I want to find something in one of them, I have to read through th=
em
all to find it. Is there any way I can do this better and faster?
A - Yes. A searching facility has been there from the time that we first
introduced off-line Messaging.
To find a particular word or phrase, press F2. A search screen pops up
where you can enter what you are looking for. When you press Enter, Record
Manager begins scanning your stored messages. When the text is found, the
message title is displayed and you get the option to Display the part of th=
e
message where the text was found, Continue the search within the message,
Search the next message, or Exit.
This searching facility for messages is particularly useful when you get
long lists of matches or want to look through large sections of text, like
the keyword index, Interloc's Most Wanted, or Member Profiles.
Packing And Shipping Books -- A Guide
[Part 2 -- In the last issue, we focused on the process of wrapping books f=
or
shipment. This second part (of 2) covers labeling and mailing books, with
comments on shipping companies.]
You have the book in its protective cardboard wrapping or box. Making su=
re
it gets to its destination undamaged is only half the battle. Making sure i=
t
arrives is just as important.
Do not cover the box with thin brown paper held in place with masking ta=
pe
and then write the address on the brown paper. Doing so will insure that th=
e
book will end up in a tub at the local postal auction.
Labeling
Writing the name and address of the recipient directly on the box is
likely to cause the package to be lost. In fact, some shipping companies do
not allow this. They require shipping labels. It is always better to use an
address label with your return address printed on the top and the destinati=
on
typed or neatly printed below.
Even if you use a printed label, it is a good idea to print or rubber
stamp your return address in the far upper left corner of the top of the bo=
x.
Put the destination and return address on only one face of the box. That
way, there will be a "top" or "up" side to the box where the postage and
other shipping information is affixed.
Shipping Companies
Selecting a carrier is not as easy as it used to be, since several
carriers have overlapping services.
Post Office - Use the Post Office if the package is wrapped VERY
carefully, if the book is not terribly valuable or rare, if you insure the
package (always get at least the minimum insurance at the Post Office), and
if you do not scare easily.
A good way to learn how to wrap packages for Post Office shipment is to
visit the local sorting facility, where thousands, even millions of package=
s
are sorted and thrown into large tubs for shipment by truck and plane.
After I saw the sorting facility in Columbus, Ohio, where I began my
bookselling career in the early 1970s, I completely changed my book packing
procedures. Seeing people throwing packages at huge tubs from several feet
away, like NBA players taking 3-point shots, made me realize how dangerous
weak boxes and poor labeling are.
UPS - As the Post Office has gotten more expensive and its reputation ha=
s
suffered, UPS has moved in to fill the gap. And it has generally done a goo=
d
job. Deliveries are usually reliable, fees are a little more than the Post
Office, and the service is frequently better.
Like any business this large, there are certain areas where UPS shipping
is not as reliable. Rural drivers, for example, sometimes will drop package=
s
at the end of a long driveway instead of taking them up to the house. And U=
PS
is difficult to collect from on damage and loss claims. So, as always, keep
good records, pack very well, label carefully, and you should not have a
problem.
Courier Services - These overnight services, like Federal Express,
Airborne Express, DHL, and others, can be expensive, but they bank on quick
delivery and great service.
If you are shipping something particularly rare or valuable, they can be
worth it, but the Post Office and UPS now have similar services, with
computer tracking and guaranteed delivery. Twice now I have received
overnight packages sent via the Post Office and delivered on Christmas Day.
Courier services only sell service, so try one out for your area. If it
doesn't work, use another.
Why Packing & Shipping Are So Important
In the history of the world, how you pack your books is insignificant. I=
n
the history of your relationship with other dealers and customers, it could
be the most important thing you do.
A well-packed book sends one of the best signals we can send. It says th=
at
you value what you are sending and that you value the patronage of a custom=
er
and are willing to go the extra mile to keep that patronage.
Conversely, a poor packing job sends the signal that you are consciously
ignoring the best interests of the recipient. You are saying that you do no=
t
care if you cause the customer more hassle, if you disappoint him or her, i=
f
you cause another dealer to delay getting a satisfactory copy of a book for
his own customer.
If you are a dealer and want to continue getting orders, careful packing
and shipping is essential. If you are a buyer who has to return a book,
packing it well will is required if you expect to be offered other titles i=
n
the future.
What Is A "Virtual Bookstore?"
Perhaps you have heard the term before. It is fashionable right now to s=
ay
that a bookstore also offers a "virtual" bookstore. What does this mean?
The term "virtual" refers to the ability of someone on the outside to be
able to dial into a dedicated computer system, usually set up in the store
itself (in the back room), and browse, search, and/or examine the wares
offered by the store. A virtual bookstore is simply an electronic extension
of the business, operated from its own premises and under its complete
control.
There are many inducements offered to get you "in" to the stores. Some
offer an 800-number to entice potential customers. Others offer fancier, mo=
re
professional gimmicks (such as downloading catalogs, price lists, etc.). So=
me
even put electronic "samples" of books on-line, so you can read a bit befor=
e
deciding to buy.
How Does It Work?
There are two typical avenues used to provide virtual bookstore access: =
=20
(A) using BBS (Bulletin Board Service) software, anyone with a modem ca=
n
dial into the computer and have access to the program, or
(B) via Internet. Internet access is both more expensive and more
complicated for the store to implement, but it gains access to a world-wide
community.=20
Typically, unless you are totally confident in your system's ability to
maintain itself and recover gracefully from any of the hundreds of possible
things that can go wrong, someone at the store needs to keep an eye on the
system while it is operating. This is why many virtual bookstores are not
available outside normal business hours.
Is Interloc A Virtual Bookstore?
No. A virtual bookstore is simply an electronic extension of a business,
operated from its own premises and under its own control. Interloc, on the
other hand, offers a unique service in which hundreds of thousands of recor=
ds
offered by hundreds of dealers from all over the world are made available t=
o
subscribers from a centralized location and processing system. In addition,
Interloc offers a complete range of services and communications mediums
(including daily matching, record uploads, electronic mail, etc.) to bring
buyers and sellers together.=20
Should I Invest In A Virtual Bookstore?
Maybe - the jury is still out. There are both success stories and horror
stories to consider before making a decision. It could conceivably work wel=
l
for you if you really think it through, and if you are willing to invest so=
me
time and effort; however, all else aside, there are three factors which mak=
e
virtual bookstores questionable investments at the present time:
1) Time: Considerable time and effort is required to put together a real=
ly
good system, one that is worth the caller's time to investigate. A great de=
al
of testing and performance analysis must be done.
You must also provide your records in a readily-recognizable form and
update them on a daily basis. This can seriously cut into the time you have
each day to conduct your regular business if you have to do it yourself.
2) Money: Virtual bookstores are not cheap. Investments include at least
one computer with a fast processor, modem(s), software, and accessories.
On-going overhead costs include telephone service charges, maintenance,
repair, upgrades, utilities, etc.
Expect to shell out between $5,000 and $10,000 minimum for a decent syst=
em
with nominal capabilities, double or triple that for someone to put it
together for you.
3) Overcrowding: One of the problems current virtual bookstores are
experiencing is that there are simply so many of them. Many new virtual
bookstores experience a sudden rush of calls right after starting up, then =
a
gradual drop in call volume.
Since there are so many virtual bookstores operating, it is difficult fo=
r
any one of them to establish a reliable base of customers who call in on a
regular basis. Geographical area, specialization, and other factors can pla=
y
a role here. The trend seems to be that ultimately most virtual bookstores
end up getting an occasional call here and there. This is natural, since mo=
st
prospective buyers using this medium like to shop around. Some, however, ar=
e
quite successful by virtue of having a loyal group of people calling often
enough to make the investment reap rewards.
Conclusion
A virtual bookstore can be worthwhile if your particular business
situation can meet the criteria outlined above. In particular, a store
dealing in a variety of subjects, with many quality titles, a sound financi=
al
base, and experienced in-house computer help is probably a better candidate
than one that specializes heavily, has a small inventory, or is operating o=
n
the edge.
However, whatever your situation, be sure you are fully aware of the
potential pitfalls. A well-organized, professional, and usable system can
reap rewards through increased customer traffic, referrals, and disseminati=
on
of information.
Conversely, a poorly-though-out, difficult-to-use, or unreliable system
can be a financial disaster. Interloc can refer interested parties to
booksellers who have gone the virtual bookstore route, both for better or
worse.
Seen On Interloc - Bibliographies
Occasionally we will feature items listed for sale on Interloc. Let us
know if you see something interesting and/or unusual. Items listed here are=
,
of course, subject to prior sale. The Interloc User ID is included with eac=
h
entry
Goodland, Roger. Bibliography of Sex Rites and Customs: An Annotated
Record of Books, Articles, and Illustrations in All Languages. London:
Routledge, 1931. VG. Still the most comprehensive bibliography. Tall 4to, p=
p
752. Green cloth. VG. Quite uncommon. $150. GACHJOHN=20
Grinnell, Joseph. Bibliography of California Ornithology. California:
Cooper Ornithological Club, 1909-1924-1939. Hardbound. Fine copy. Three par=
ts
are bound in one volume. Contains 6840 citations from 1797. $110. NATURBKS
Hargrave, Catherine Perry. History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography o=
f
Cards and Gaming. First edn. Boston, 1930. VG copy. $350. EMERSONR=20
Hazen, Allen T. A Catalogue of Horace Walpole's Library. New Haven: Yale
Univ. Press, 1969. 3 Volumes. VG in djs (some tears). $125. LYSECKIB=20
Karpel,Bernard (editor). Arts in America, A Bibliography. Four volumes.
Washington, DC: Smithsonian, (1979) VG/Fine copy. Compiled from the Archive=
s
of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Volume 4 is an index. $175.
MONTEMAG
Keynes, Geoffrey. The Library of Edward Gibbon. London: Jonathan Cape,
1940. VG+ copy, inscribed by the author with a 2 page ALS from the author
included. $155. ABRACADA
Naylor, Colin, et al, editors. Contemporary Artists. 1976. VG. Numerous
black & white reproductions. More than Americans included; lists over 1300
names. Each entry includes biography, major works, exhibitions, collections=
,
publications, and more. $110. KMULLENB
Oliver, Peter. A New Chronicle of the Compleat Angler. NY: Paisley Press=
,
1936. First edition. Fine copy. Frontis. portrait, facsimile title pages.
Gold stamped blue cloth. $120. CHANNELB
Parkinson, Ethel M., and Audrey E. Lumb. Catalogue of Medical Books in t=
he
Manchester University Library 1480-1700. Manchester, 1972. First edition.
Very Good in good dustjacket. GM 6786.19. Corner of half-title clipped.
Describes 2685 items with full title transcriptions, paginations, and some
annotation. $150. DOCTORLB
Phillips, Philip. A List of Geographical Atlasses in the Library of
Congress. Amsterdam: N. Israel, 1967. As New. 4 Vols bound as two. $275.
LYSECKIBK
Romaine, Lawrence B. A Guide to American Trade Catalogs, 1744-1900. NY:
Bowker, 1960. Pp. xxiii, 422, index. About Fine. $165. HURLEYBK
Whitaker, Arnold. English Cookery Books to the Year 1850. Oxford
University Press, 1913. First edition. 12mo, orig. cloth in dust jacket. Pp=
.
192. Fine copy. Standard reference work, now very scarce. $225. WILSEYBK
Catalogs Received
(Catalogs are listed as space permits. Please address all requests for
catalogs directly to the dealers.)
Brick Row Book Shop. 278 Post St. #303. San Francisco, CA 94108. (415)
398-0414. Choice & Rare Books in many fields of English Lit. 201 items.
Arthur H. Clark Company. PO Box 14707. Spokane, WA 99214. 800-842-9286.
Cat. 852. Americana, The West, and General. 540 items.
Roger Friedman Antiquarian Books 116 Pinehurst Ave. New York, NY 10033.
(212) 923-7800, ext. 2421. Cat. 2. Explorers of Culture, Observers of Natur=
e.
80 items, illustrated.
Rip Kirby - Folio Books. 527-1st Ave. N. #101. Seattle, WA 98109. (206)
283-9332. List 28. Western Americana, Northwest. 86 items.
Edward J. Lefkowicz, Inc. PO Box 630. Fairhaven, MA 02719. (508) 997-683=
9.
Cat. 16: Rare & Antiquarian Books on Maritime Subjects. 399 items
Meyer Boswell Books. 2141 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94110. (415)
255-6400. Special List 20: Rare & Scholarly Law. 253 items.
Middle Earth Book Shop. PO Box 81906. Rochester Hills, MI 48308. (810)
656-4989. Cat. 72. Metaphysical Books.
Morningside Bookshop. PO Box 1087. Dayton, OH 45401. (513) 461-6736. Cat=
.
39. Civil War. 104 pages.
Oak Knoll Press. 414 Delaware St. New Castle, DE 19720. (302) 328-7232.
Forthcoming & Recent Publications. 56 pgs, illustrated. Books On Books.
Second Life Books. PO Box 242. Lanesborough, MA 02137. (413) 447-8010.
Literature, Memoirs, Travel Books by Women. 532 items.
Thorn Books. PO Box 1244. Moorpark, CA 93020. (805) 529-3647. Cat. 40:
King Arthur. 402 items.
Wilder Books. PO Box 762. Elmhurst, IL 60126. (708) 834-8529. Cat. 69.
Varia. 189 items.
Xerxes Fine and Rare Books. Box 428. Glen Head, NY 11545. (516) 671-6235=
.
Cat. 44: Mathematics & Physics. 264 items.
Notice - Interloc News Via E-Mail
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Save $105 off the list price of BookMaster III and=20
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Our Favorite Tech Support Calls
We want people to call when they have problems, but some of the calls ar=
e
classics. From time to time, we will share some of them with you. Of course=
,
any names have been changed.
One time a gentleman called and said he could not get his BookMaster
program to work. He said he had followed all of the instructions, but each
time he typed "BM3" to run the program, nothing happened.
I then gave him a series of commands to type. Each time I told him to ty=
pe
a command and press ENTER, I could hear the "click-click" of computer
keyboard keys in the background, so I knew he was typing.
After a few minutes, I sense something else was wrong. I asked him to te=
ll
me what was displayed on the screen, and he said, "Nothing!"
I asked, "What do you mean, nothing?"
He replied, "I mean nothing!"
I thought to myself, maybe we have a problem here with his display
monitor, so I asked him to check the cables on the back of the machine to
make sure they were all plugged in. He did this, but that did not solve the
problem.
As I was contemplating my next move, he asked, "Do you want me to turn i=
t
on?" --TAS
Version 1.60 of Record Manager Ready
The newest version of the Interloc Record Manager represents a significa=
nt
leap forward in providing the most frequently requested new features, as we=
ll
as enhancements and improvements to existing features. In addition, a numbe=
r
of important new Interloc On-Line System features are being added in
conjunction with the release of the new Record Manager software.
Here is a short summary of the most important changes:
* New Quick Search Features. List_Date has been added to the Search
Criteria so you may search for items listed on, before, or after a particul=
ar
date. This is very useful in finding the most recent listings of a particul=
ar
author, title, or keyword.
You may also set Quick Search to include the User Record Number. And
setting price adjustments for Quick Searches is now much easier.
* Bells and Whistles.
This is a group of useful features. One of the most useful is Interloc's
500 Most Wanted titles, arranged by the number of dealers wanting each titl=
e
and by the total number of titles wanted. The entire list, which is generat=
ed
daily, can be retrieved by selecting "Interloc's Most Wanted" from the
On-Line Menu in the Record Manager. The list is downloaded as a message int=
o
your Off-Line Mailbox. Obviously, this list can be very useful.
Member Profiles contains the full name, address, phone/fax, affiliations=
,
and terms of business for those subscribers willing to share this
information.
Two new Keyword lists are now available from the On-Line System. One is =
a
list of Keywords: Categories, and the other is a list of Keywords: Proper
Names. Both lists have been edited to clean out duplicates, codes, and othe=
r
useless information.
A Database Tutorial is also included in this section.
* New Off-Line Quoting Feature.
Quoting items from your own stock to other Interloc subscribers is now
fast and easy. This feature, available in the Message Section of the Record
Manager, allows you to automatically create a quote to send to another
Interloc subscriber. You select "Quote" in the Off-Line Browse Messages
screen (or select the "Quoting" from the Messages Menu while On-Line).
You will be prompted to select a recipient, after which standard greetin=
g
and closing messages will appear, which you may edit. You then enter the
number of the record in your Record Manager or BookMaster database (or, you
may type in the book record).
Off-Line Quoting automatically turns this information into a nicely
formatted quote that you can send at once or store until you produce severa=
l
quotes to send together.
* Lightning Fast Print Manager.
Displays a file regardless of size. Also allows sideways scrolling for text
files where the lines of text are longer than the width of the screen. Also
includes a Multiple Find Display for Text Searches. When exporting files fr=
om
the Message section, page breaks are suppressed.
* Expanded/Improved Message Editor.
Messages can now be up to 6000 lines long (up from 3000 lines). We have
also included a sidebar for scrolling and positioning. Furthermore, the Rep=
ly
and Forwarding features have been enhanced.
* New Setup Menu.
The Setup Menu, under the On-Line Menu, includes several important
features. These include the choices to be included in the Member Profile
list; to have the Interloc's 500 Most Wanted list sent to your mailbox each
day; to have Updates to the Interloc Record Manager automatically shipped
when they are released (small charge billed to your account); to Verify You=
r
Password each time you dial the On-Line System in order to provide better
security for your account; and to give you a Return Receipt to notify you
when messages you have sent are retrieved by the addressee(s).
* Automatic Match Report Processing.
With this feature, you can have your computer show all For Sale matches
for a particular Want, and it can extract your Wants records contained in a
Match Report and put them all on the current Wants Hit List.
* New File Viewer.
A File Viewer has been added to the Finder Menu. With it, you can displa=
y
any file in any directory or disk drive. You may also search for any text i=
n
any file or directory.
Future Enhancements
The Interloc Record Manager and On-Line System will continue to change a=
nd
improve in the future because Interloc is committed to responding to the
needs of its subscribers.
Some future enhancements include a connection to Internet and developmen=
t
of a character-based program for use on non-MS-DOS type computers.
Another enhancement due for the near future is the Forums section.
Subscribers will be able to post messages of general interest, participate =
in
discussions, post classified advertisements, and send their catalogs to be
downloaded by other subscribers, among other features. Members will even be
able to have catalogs featuring specific topics automatically sent to their
mail boxes so they can keep current both with new items in the databases an=
d
with new catalogs.
Catalog Available
Books On Books, Bibliographies, Book Collecting,=20
Book Arts, Printing, Papermaking, and Typography.
For a Copy, Message to User ID =3D OakKnoll
Or Call Oak Knoll Books (302) 328-7232
All Titles Also Available On Interloc
Events Calendar
[If you would like a notice of your event, conference, book fair, semina=
r,
or other book related activity published free of charge in this calendar,
send details to the Editor at least 8 weeks before the event.]
l BOOK FAIRS - 1994
Dec. 4. The Great Paper Chase. Hackensack, NJ.
Dec. 4. West Coast Americana Paper, Ephemera & Book Fair. Stockton, CA.
Dec. 9-10. Alamo Antiquarian Book Show. San Antonio, TX. (512) 454-6454.
Dec. 10. The Big Paper and Collectible Show. Marlborough, MA.
Dec. 10. Downingtown-Philadelphia Winter Shop. Downingtown, PA.
Dec. 11. Garden State Antiquarian Book Fair. Somerset, NJ.
Dec. 19. Boston Antiquarian Book & Ephemera Fair. Boston, MA.
Dec. 31. New York City Holiday Book Fair. New York, NY.
l BOOK FAIRS - 1995
Jan. 9. Antique Map & Print Fair. London, England.
Jan. 13-14. Antiquarian Booksellers of New Jersey. East Hanover, NJ.
Jan. 20-21. Fort Lauderdale Antiquarian Book Fair. Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Feb. 11-12. Las Vegas Book Fair. Las Vegas, NV.
Feb. 11-12. Central Florida Book Fair. Mount Dora, FL.
Feb. 24-26. California International Antiquarian Book Fair. San Francisco.
March 4-5. Acorn Antiquarian Book Faire. Mesa, AZ.
March 4-5. Santa Monica Antiquarian & Used Book Fair. Santa Monica, CA.
March 10-12. Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. St. Petersburg, FL.
March 10-12. Greater Philadelphia Antiquarian Book Fair. Ft. Washington, PA
l BOOK RELATED EVENTS - 1995
Feb. 20-24. National Conference on Cultural Property Protection. Crystal =
=20
Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Inst.
Subscription Information:
Interloc News is published as a service for customers of Interloc, Inc.
and for others interested in news and features relating to the book trade.
Interloc News is sent free of charge to subscribers of Interloc services=
.
Annual subscription rates for others:
=09 Air Mail 3rd Class
U.S.A. $20 $15
Canada $25 $20
Europe & Asia $35 $25
(Advertising Rates On Request.)
Please address all correspondence and subscription requests to:
Interloc News =F9 P.O. Box 5
Southworth, WA 98386 USA
(206) 871-3617 =F9 Fax: (206) 871-5626
Interloc@Shaysnet.com=20
- 30 -
Brad Councilman, System Administrator
Interloc, Inc. The Electronic Marketplace for Books.
interloc@shaysnet.com
CIS 72411,2301
413.774.3311