It looks like Joan Didion would qualify as a Notebook Addict of the Week— she left behind at least 38 blank notebooks when she died. Joan Didion’s notebooks are being sold as part of an auction of many of her belongings, including books, artwork, furniture, sunglasses and more. I’ve written about Joan Didion before– her … Continue reading Joan Didion’s Notebooks
I recently came across this 2016 Huffington Post article about the auction sale of a Salvador Dali notebook via Pinterest, and thought “How on earth did I miss this?!?” This is one of my favorite glimpses of an artist’s notebook! Here’s A Rare Glimpse Inside Salvador Dali’s Unpublished Diaries Salvador Dali, the great Surrealist painter … Continue reading Salvador Dali Notebook
This one’s for Star Wars fans: sketchbooks from the 1970s belonging to the costumer designer for the original movie. A treasure trove of items owned by Star Wars costume designer John Mollo are being sold at London auctioneers Bonhams including notes and his sketchbook. If you don’t have the estimated £300,000 it will take to … Continue reading Star Wars Costume Designer’s Sketchbooks
This is from a couple of months ago, a notebook that belonged to Agatha Christie was being auctioned: Crime novelist Agatha Christie’s handwritten notebook in which she plotted ideas for one of her detective novels is up for auction. The 1948, “regular, off-the-shelf†bound notebook, which features a hand-drawn ink sketch Christie made to illustrate … Continue reading Agatha Christie’s Notebook
Remember that cinematic masterpiece Plan 9 From Outer Space? The director Ed Wood’s notebooks are being auctioned, along with other papers and personal items and the suitcases and trunks they were stored in. Act fast, bidding is only open through March 18, 2015! Read more at Ed Wood Personal Items Hit the Auction Block | … Continue reading Ed Wood’s Notebooks
Back in 2008, Sotheby’s auctioned a private collection of various papers and memorabilia belonging to the Belgian singer Jacques Brel, who died in 1972. The notebook below, probably from the 1950s, was used by Brel for draft song lyrics, and was estimated to sell for between 50,000 and 70,000 euros. It’s a nice looking notebook– … Continue reading Jacques Brel’s Notebook
This is the only sketchbook known to have belonged to Grant Wood, the artist best known for his painting “American Gothic.” It dates back to 1929. It was supposed to have been auctioned last summer and was expected to go for $40,000-$60,000. The auction was canceled when a museum in Davenport, Iowa said the sketchbook … Continue reading Grant Wood’s Long-Lost Sketchbook
This is amazing! I’m not surprised they sold for over $3,400! From the listing: Andrew A. Ryan Police record, 1899-1920; 1 ledger, 23 notebooks (4 x 6 in.). The work of a detective in a turn of the twentieth century U.S. city was nearly as difficult and dangerous as it is today, with murders … Continue reading Early 20th Century Police Detective Log Books
I am always drawn to old notebooks, even if the notes within aren’t about a subject I’m particularly interested in. I’m tempted whenever I see these stories about notebooks being auctioned, even if they’re way beyond my budget! This one, belonging to Alfred Wainwright, an expert on England’s Lake District, ended up selling for £8,600. … Continue reading Lake District Notebook
I’ve been trying to do some spring cleaning lately, as I’ll be moving soon. The size of my notebook collection has grown to daunting levels in the last couple of years, and when I contemplate having to move everything to a new home, it’s a bit scary! I love my notebooks, but even I have … Continue reading What To Do With Too Many Notebooks? My Idea… and Your Feedback, Please!