This is Ephemera, Collecting Printed Throwaways

by Maurice Richards

First edition. Illustrated guide to the subject. 64 pages. stiff paper wrappers.. 8vo..

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books on book collecting and related topics. Few are as well written, informative, and thoughtful as this one. It is perhaps more a large pamphlet than a book, at 60+ pages. However, it introduces the topic to readers who perhaps have considered collecting ephemera—or else have found themselves collecting it without knowing that they were doing so. When your pile of old stock certificates overflows a couple of shoeboxes, you are definitely a collector.

The author is an enthusiast, and this comes through on every page. He also offers ideas and suggestions for themes, organizations, sources of ephemera, and so on. The only drawback I can see in the book is that it is completely pre-internet and so doesn’t talk about how to find items on eBay and the like. But do people really need to read about that at this point?

Those who are not that interested in collecting ephemera may find themselves changing their minds after reading the book, perhaps realizing that their interests in dentistry, the Red Sox, Victorian novels, or whatever can be extended by collecting ephemera in that domain. So, read at your own risk.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book, which is really a pamphlet with a cloth cover, to be superficial and not really of any use to anyone who actually knows what ephemera is. A few nice pictures scattered throughout. I'm guessing there are better places to start.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early primer for an emerging field at the time. A bit dated, but the introductory thoughts on what is/isn't ephemera, what fields cross-over the field, and what drives collectors was worth the rest of the read.