Fascinating. There's nothing better than to listen to someone with such a love for literature and it's an introduction to a world of authors that were previously unknown to me.
Can't remember if I've commented on this collector series before, because I've returned to it again and again. These are extremely satisfying to watch, aside from the many enticing rabbit holes they provide. Initially found this on one of the many byways of my Machen obsession and have had a number of deeply enriching experiences as a direct result of explorations initiated by this video and the others. Thank you for capturing some moments of the increasingly elusive world of the true bookman. As a thirty-something reader it's something I've had only fleeting chances to encounter. I know many of us would be delighted to see further videos in this series.
"Snaith has the unique misfortune, I think, of being a writer where lots of critics have said that he has written a masterpiece. Unfortunately, they can't agree on what that masterpiece is, whilst they do agree that the other books he has written are not worthwhile." This is as deep as it is funny.
This video is wonderful. I had exhausted buying all the classics of literature and did not know what else to read. I always liked Arthur Machen which is how I arrived at this clip. Needless to say I have viewed this upload many, many times and have spent a fortune recently trying to collect books by some of the authors mentioned. A new world is now opening up to me and I have Mark Valentine and R.B.Russell to thank for that. I wonder if they realised when they made this tour of Mark's library that it could actually change lives? I salute you both and Mark, you are a fascinating and lovely man. If only more people in the world were like you.
Many thanks for your kind words, which I will pass on to Mark. I have always found his enthusiasm for authors (be they well-known or obscure) highly infectious! The best book collectors are those who are happy to share their knowledge :-)
Thanks for your response. Much appreciated. I would be very grateful if you could pass on my words to Mark, that would mean a lot to me. Thank you again for the videos. I would love to see more one day.
Really fascinating look at Mark's book collection. Many thanks to Mark for sharing his love of books with us and I was enthralled by the way he presented his much loved books. I also found his intimate description's of authors and their works fascinating. Wow what wonderfully well stacked book shelves, they are music to my book addicted eyes!! I think the cat enjoy's it's masters books to and like mine tends to curl up on one's knee when I select a book and decide to unwind! I think Tartarus Press along with Sundial Press are my favourite book publishers. Once again many thanks for posting!!
Top man. Btw, in the late 70s I found an early impression of Arthur Machen's The Great God Pan with the Beardsley cover for £8! Wish I still had it. Those were the days...
What a wonderful collection. Stevenson, Dunsany, Machen, Hodgson. Great writers. It's interesting that film makers like Guilleromo del Toro and comic book writers like Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman read these writers of the fantastic, but it is unusual to find novelists who do.
Gore Vidal Actually, all the above writers you mentioned have also written novels. But yes, they're primarily known for comics and film, even though Gaiman, is now a full time novelist.Not trying to be a blow hard, just pointing out facts in a gentleman like manner. Cheers!
Machen is something precious and unique. I found him on an Italian collection of Lovecraft's favorite authors when I was 15 or 16 and it changed my life. I kept reading a wide variety of books in my life but I kept thinking about that short story called "the white people" and the surreal, hypnotic and pleasantly unsettling feeling that stayed with me for hours after finishing it. Now I have a better perspective of the weird fiction timeline and among the authors first generation, I put him right after Lovecraft. Shame on me, I just read a couple of De la Mere stories..maybe bc I ve been reading more contemporaries! BTW I feel like we are living in a great moment for this genre
One thing here which could be useful for some people was Valentine's explanation of the fact that he has many books that are not in pristine condition, and that he actually likes books that have character from having been read. Since many collectors have limited funds, and since many collectible books that are in less-than-fine condition can be had for a fraction of the price of an unopened copy that has been stored in a vault with perfect control of temperature and humidity, this could open the door to the pleasures of collecting for some who think that door is locked because they don't have enough money.
Yes, that really spoke to me, his comment about a shabby, dusty, well-worn book with a rich history. Several of my own favourites are in that category. I wish there were more videos on YT on non-fiction books, which are my main interest.
I prefer my books to be in good shape but there is something about a book that is shabby. Knowing that book you love and enjoy was held by someone else(or many others) who also enjoyed and and loved it just gives you a good feeling.
Stray books in the home library, not placed in the section of the particular author, are delightful. Because they are like new discoveries, fresh surprizes, when roaming other sections. And it works over and over for the same book. The sparkling dynamic contrast to the surrounding books never fades.
Amazing collection. Some writer's that I have never heard of but will make time to be acquainted with. My collection is mostly paperbacks/soft covers and electronic books unfortunately for the moment. I hope to get some of my e-books in nice hardcovers some day.
That book on rain guages reminds me of the classic RIPPING YARNS episode "The testing of Eric Olthwaite" where Michael Palin played a very boring young man interested primarily in mean annual rainfall and in the handles of shovels.
Same thought on books with character. I have a beloved copy of Lord of the Flies . It is one i prize most. I often wonder of how books we choose become irreplaceable to our hearts .
Mark - great to see this - I'm familiar with all the usual weird suspects such as Hodgson, Machen, Blackwood etc but I love your eclectic taste and it's very informative to hear about some of these other Bohemian etc writers.
Trevor-Roper's book on Edmund Backhouse spotted! A great book marred by Trevor-Roper's relentless homophobia; Backhouse really deserves a modern biographer
Wanted to thank R.B. Russell and Mark for a wonderful video; an introduction - for me - to some wonderful authors, most notably, Phyllis Paul - could anyone who has read Phyllis Paul's novels (perhaps Mr Russell or Mr Valentine?) recommend any novelists similar to Paul? Much thanks for the video
progandjazzman Neither Mark nor I have read anyone like Phyllis Paul, but Mark has written to me "it might be worth mentioning that Glen [Cavaliero], who "discovered" Phyllis Paul, also champions Constance Holme, a different but equally neglected woman writer whose novels sometimes have supernatural or strange dimensions. Also there's Kathleen Sully, who is even bleaker than Phyllis Paul, but more in the macabre than fantastical field."
R.B. Russell Thanks Ray (and Mark) for your reply. Holme and Sully are new to me and sound very promising. Phyllis Paul is indeed the most idiosyncratic author I've ever come across and the most deeply affecting. In a paper on Paul's work (rec'd in1983) Cavaliero drew a parallel between her and both Charles Williams and French writer Francois Mauriac, neither of whom I've read as of yet. I've read most of Paul's later novels now; just finishing An Invisible Darkness (one of her best IMO) and searching (in vain, I'd imagine) for Rox Hall Illuminated. Hoping Sundial will issue it. For those interested in female writers dealing in macabre suspense/psychological thrillers, there are two little-known novels by London-based French-Swiss writer, Paule Mason; The Dark Mirror (1967) and The Man in the Garden (1969).
You are absolutely going to hate me for this, but .... You begin by saying "The reason I started being a book collector was because etc". You should say "The reason I started being a book collector was that etc" OR "I started being a book collector because etc" But not "reason" and "because" together like that.
Bless you, wmlfan9, I really appreciate the subtlety of your grammatical correction. Alas, you are functioning at a level of awareness that has vanished for good in most people. Recently I saw a YT comment taking someone to task for writing or saying 'very unique' and someone, not the person criticised, retorted 'you are the only person who cares' or words to that effect. What I also love about R B Russell's video subjects is the way they all seem to speak real English. I don't remember a single Americanism in the ones that I have watched so far.
Do many neglshmn talk this way. They dauddle over the easily understood words, but when they come to a book title or author's name, they lower their voice and then mblsmtg like that. Do you udrsteg?
I like old women, shabby, battered trollops with lots of character & no value, dog-eared & worn, with a peculiar fusty smell when sniffed close-to. I'm delighted that strange eccentrics prize and collect the rough stuff, because eventually some enterprising publisher and editor might decide to bring out expensive, highly collectable, omnibus editions, so that sniffy intellectuals and real collectors can add them to their magnificent libraries.
We only managed to discuss a fraction of Mark's collection, but he did talk about Powys. Unfortunately there was a technical problem with that part of the film!
One of the finest bookmen of the day. Generous, intelligent, stylish, a fine editor in the field of the strange, supernatural, book collecting.
Fascinating. There's nothing better than to listen to someone with such a love for literature and it's an introduction to a world of authors that were previously unknown to me.
These authors are all new to me, and I've loved learning about them. Saving this video for future reference, as I begin my new quest.
Your video is a hidden gem for book lovers. Thank you so much,
A true lover of the book as artifact and portal to the world's of fiction. I hope he is still enoying this wondrous library of rare books....
+Sean Bell Enjoying it, and quietly adding to it... :-)
Excellent!
Can't remember if I've commented on this collector series before, because I've returned to it again and again. These are extremely satisfying to watch, aside from the many enticing rabbit holes they provide. Initially found this on one of the many byways of my Machen obsession and have had a number of deeply enriching experiences as a direct result of explorations initiated by this video and the others. Thank you for capturing some moments of the increasingly elusive world of the true bookman. As a thirty-something reader it's something I've had only fleeting chances to encounter. I know many of us would be delighted to see further videos in this series.
I'm very pleased you have enjoyed the videos--I would love to make more, given time...
good stuff. As a welshman i always love hearing about arthur machen. i think people tend to forget how influential he is.
"Snaith has the unique misfortune, I think, of being a writer where lots of critics have said that he has written a masterpiece. Unfortunately, they can't agree on what that masterpiece is, whilst they do agree that the other books he has written are not worthwhile."
This is as deep as it is funny.
This video is wonderful. I had exhausted buying all the classics of literature and did not know what else to read. I always liked Arthur Machen which is how I arrived at this clip. Needless to say I have viewed this upload many, many times and have spent a fortune recently trying to collect books by some of the authors mentioned. A new world is now opening up to me and I have Mark Valentine and R.B.Russell to thank for that. I wonder if they realised when they made this tour of Mark's library that it could actually change lives? I salute you both and Mark, you are a fascinating and lovely man. If only more people in the world were like you.
Many thanks for your kind words, which I will pass on to Mark. I have always found his enthusiasm for authors (be they well-known or obscure) highly infectious! The best book collectors are those who are happy to share their knowledge :-)
Thanks for your response. Much appreciated. I would be very grateful if you could pass on my words to Mark, that would mean a lot to me. Thank you again for the videos. I would love to see more one day.
Really fascinating look at Mark's book collection. Many thanks to Mark for sharing his love of books with us and I was enthralled by the way he presented his much loved books. I also found his intimate description's of authors and their works fascinating. Wow what wonderfully well stacked book shelves, they are music to my book addicted eyes!! I think the cat enjoy's it's masters books to and like mine tends to curl up on one's knee when I select a book and decide to unwind! I think Tartarus Press along with Sundial Press are my favourite book publishers. Once again many thanks for posting!!
Wonderful, I wish someday I will have a great library or study like yours
That was riveting. Thank you for the video.
Top man. Btw, in the late 70s I found an early impression of Arthur Machen's The Great God Pan with the Beardsley cover for £8! Wish I still had it. Those were the days...
What a wonderful collection.
Stevenson, Dunsany, Machen, Hodgson. Great writers.
It's interesting that film makers like Guilleromo del Toro and comic book writers like Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman read these writers of the fantastic, but it is unusual to find novelists who do.
Gore Vidal Actually, all the above writers you mentioned have also written novels. But yes, they're primarily known for comics and film, even though Gaiman, is now a full time novelist.Not trying to be a blow hard, just pointing out facts in a gentleman like manner. Cheers!
Machen is something precious and unique. I found him on an Italian collection of Lovecraft's favorite authors when I was 15 or 16 and it changed my life. I kept reading a wide variety of books in my life but I kept thinking about that short story called "the white people" and the surreal, hypnotic and pleasantly unsettling feeling that stayed with me for hours after finishing it. Now I have a better perspective of the weird fiction timeline and among the authors first generation, I put him right after Lovecraft. Shame on me, I just read a couple of De la Mere stories..maybe bc I ve been reading more contemporaries! BTW I feel like we are living in a great moment for this genre
One thing here which could be useful for some people was Valentine's explanation of the fact that he has many books that are not in pristine condition, and that he actually likes books that have character from having been read. Since many collectors have limited funds, and since many collectible books that are in less-than-fine condition can be had for a fraction of the price of an unopened copy that has been stored in a vault with perfect control of temperature and humidity, this could open the door to the pleasures of collecting for some who think that door is locked because they don't have enough money.
Yes, that really spoke to me, his comment about a shabby, dusty, well-worn book with a rich history. Several of my own favourites are in that category. I wish there were more videos on YT on non-fiction books, which are my main interest.
So good to see something...ANYTHING about Denton Welch.
I prefer my books to be in good shape but there is something about a book that is shabby. Knowing that book you love and enjoy was held by someone else(or many others) who also enjoyed and and loved it just gives you a good feeling.
That is an exquisite collection - Blackwood being among my big favourites. : )
Stray books in the home library, not placed in the section of the particular author, are delightful. Because they are like new discoveries, fresh surprizes, when roaming other sections. And it works over and over for the same book. The sparkling dynamic contrast to the surrounding books never fades.
Good to see some Stenbock there. Thanks for the interesting upload.
I did buy a while ago some books from Mark Valentine. Still nice to see the guy in person via youtube!
Bravo, well done Mark :)
Thanks for posting!
Such good taste, Mark! Shiel, Blackwood, Hodgson - wonderful to see those books that I dream about...
Amazing collection. Some writer's that I have never heard of but will make time to be acquainted with. My collection is mostly paperbacks/soft covers and electronic books unfortunately for the moment. I hope to get some of my e-books in nice hardcovers some day.
Lovely library. I will definitely seek out the authors mentioned.
I'm now enjoying a pursuit of WF Morris, thank you!
"On the top shelf there is a STRAY Machen, The Great God Pan in the Keynote series." 😄
That book on rain guages reminds me of the classic RIPPING YARNS episode "The testing of Eric Olthwaite" where Michael Palin played a very boring young man interested primarily in mean annual rainfall and in the handles of shovels.
A wonderful collection.
thank you, r.b....absolutely brilliant interview
I'm impressed that he didn't feel a need to make some glib apology for calling the rain book "dry". The absence of irony anywhere here is refreshing.
I love this channel.
love it!
Same thought on books with character. I have a beloved copy of Lord of the Flies . It is one i prize most. I often wonder of how books we choose become irreplaceable to our hearts .
great video please please do another one soon!!
Wonderful video...a great writer and even better human being
Mark - great to see this - I'm familiar with all the usual weird suspects such as Hodgson, Machen, Blackwood etc but I love your eclectic taste and it's very informative to hear about some of these other Bohemian etc writers.
Thanks Ray. Very nice
Not the least interested in the genre, but absolutely looove the description.
I do book reviews on RUclips and collect books I'm a high school student and the other kids don't read much it's sad
Christ, what a collection! How nice of him to show it off ;}
Fascinating Mark, in fact - absolutely compelling! Can we expect a second instalment?
Frank
(The Sundial Press)
A great little video. And thanks for the mention of Dagon, Mark. All the best, Carl Ford.
Trevor-Roper's book on Edmund Backhouse spotted! A great book marred by Trevor-Roper's relentless homophobia; Backhouse really deserves a modern biographer
W. F. Morris was is my wife's Grandfather. He also wrote at least one book under the pseudonym Peter Kippax.
I've found copies of "Bretherton" and "Behind The Lines". Great books.
Good collections sir
Nice collection of books by this guy
wonderful, enjoyed seeing this amazing collection
Wanted to thank R.B. Russell and Mark for a wonderful video; an introduction - for me - to some wonderful authors, most notably, Phyllis Paul - could anyone who has read Phyllis Paul's novels (perhaps Mr Russell or Mr Valentine?) recommend any novelists similar to Paul? Much thanks for the video
progandjazzman Neither Mark nor I have read anyone like Phyllis Paul, but Mark has written to me "it might be worth mentioning that Glen [Cavaliero], who "discovered" Phyllis Paul, also champions Constance Holme, a different but equally neglected woman writer whose novels sometimes have supernatural or strange dimensions. Also there's Kathleen Sully, who is even bleaker than Phyllis Paul, but more in the macabre than fantastical field."
R.B. Russell Thanks Ray (and Mark) for your reply. Holme and Sully are new to me and sound very promising. Phyllis Paul is indeed the most idiosyncratic author I've ever come across and the most deeply affecting. In a paper on Paul's work (rec'd in1983) Cavaliero drew a parallel between her and both Charles Williams and French writer Francois Mauriac, neither of whom I've read as of yet. I've read most of Paul's later novels now; just finishing An Invisible Darkness (one of her best IMO) and searching (in vain, I'd imagine) for Rox Hall Illuminated. Hoping Sundial will issue it. For those interested in female writers dealing in macabre suspense/psychological thrillers, there are two little-known novels by London-based French-Swiss writer, Paule Mason; The Dark Mirror (1967) and The Man in the Garden (1969).
i've got a lot of reading to do. :)
This video revealed to me and then sent me down the J.C. Snaith path... I may never return. This is not a bad thing.
I don't suppose Mark would offer tours of his home? I don't need to touch them, I'd just like to be in their presence.
this collection looks alot like me own....well done
Is it ok to start book collecting when I’m in my 50s o 70s long story?
It is never too late, although (at any age), you'll believe that you started seventy years too late. Hindsight in book collecting is always a danger!
The Peter Kippax book was called "Goring's first case".
Great video. I'm curious as to which M.P. Shiel stories he considers to be the best. Vaila is my favourite.
Oooh... Don't think I'd heard of any of the books before...
Which edition is that of Dunsany's Five Plays, with the dark brown spine, shown at 2:20?
I have only seen the editions with maroon cloth before.
very cool video.
Cheers
I got a concussion in the Detroit metro library a long time ago ?
The Great God Pan first Ed... Now you have my attention.
That cat follows you around like a puppy =)
Guy has a good last name
You are absolutely going to hate me for this, but .... You begin by saying "The reason I started being a book collector was because etc". You should say "The reason I started being a book collector was that etc" OR "I started being a book collector because etc" But not "reason" and "because" together like that.
Bless you, wmlfan9, I really appreciate the subtlety of your grammatical correction. Alas, you are functioning at a level of awareness that has vanished for good in most people. Recently I saw a YT comment taking someone to task for writing or saying 'very unique' and someone, not the person criticised, retorted 'you are the only person who cares' or words to that effect. What I also love about R B Russell's video subjects is the way they all seem to speak real English. I don't remember a single Americanism in the ones that I have watched so far.
a lot of these neglected authors can be discovered, if only for reading, in pocket editions...tiddlers.
Read The Hill of Dreams on kindle. Life-changing book.
Do many neglshmn talk this way. They dauddle over the easily understood words, but when they come to a book title or author's name, they lower their voice and then mblsmtg like that. Do you udrsteg?
I like old women, shabby, battered trollops with lots of character & no value, dog-eared & worn, with a peculiar fusty smell when sniffed close-to. I'm delighted that strange eccentrics prize and collect the rough stuff, because eventually some enterprising publisher and editor might decide to bring out expensive, highly collectable, omnibus editions, so that sniffy intellectuals and real collectors can add them to their magnificent libraries.
I see his John Cowper Powys collection and yet, he says nothing about the man.
We only managed to discuss a fraction of Mark's collection, but he did talk about Powys. Unfortunately there was a technical problem with that part of the film!
Who tf is Machen?