ScoopJohnD
12-01-2007, 05:19 PM
A few months ago we posted about the passing of Ernest C Withers, an amazing Memphis photographer who chronicled the civil rights movement and the Memphis music scene among other things. I wrote about how I'd given his book 'The Memphis Blues Again' which is a big hardcover book of 60 years of his photos of the said music scene as a gift to a friend of mine. My friend loved the book as did I as I thumbed through it before giving it to her. I wanted one for myself, never bought it then, and then couldn't find it anymore (out of print). I could get it on amazon or ebay but the cheapest was 80 bucks (no dustjacket, markings) and the others (and there are not many) 150 to 190 bucks. Too rich for my blood.
For some reason the other day I was thinking about it and went to the Strand Bookstore website here in NYC (http://www.strandbooks.com/) and lo and behold ONE in stock good conditon. Man I wanted it. Hop the subway, run into the store which is HUGE, go to the photography section......nothing. Go to the info desk, only remembering the author. He's looking on the computer "we have alot of his book about the Negro Leagues".....no it's about the memphis music scene.....(still looking)....."Memphis Blues Again ?....I'm familiar with the book but we have it listed under Daniel Wolff (he wrote the intro) it says there's one in the Music section." Run downstairs....find the music section....look,look,look......BINGO. Hardcover, first edition, with dust jacket in really great shape.......$21.00. WOO HOO!!!!
It's such a gorgeous book, and the photos are amazing. I'm still in shock I found it. Search your used booksales, yard sales etc and if you see it buy it. You wont be disappointed. Here's a review http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Arts/2002/01/24/Lives_in_Exile/index.shtml
Hope I haven't bored you but this just really gave me a thrill and I had to tell somebody and who better than you guys and gals. And a BIG shout to Strand Books.
For some reason the other day I was thinking about it and went to the Strand Bookstore website here in NYC (http://www.strandbooks.com/) and lo and behold ONE in stock good conditon. Man I wanted it. Hop the subway, run into the store which is HUGE, go to the photography section......nothing. Go to the info desk, only remembering the author. He's looking on the computer "we have alot of his book about the Negro Leagues".....no it's about the memphis music scene.....(still looking)....."Memphis Blues Again ?....I'm familiar with the book but we have it listed under Daniel Wolff (he wrote the intro) it says there's one in the Music section." Run downstairs....find the music section....look,look,look......BINGO. Hardcover, first edition, with dust jacket in really great shape.......$21.00. WOO HOO!!!!
It's such a gorgeous book, and the photos are amazing. I'm still in shock I found it. Search your used booksales, yard sales etc and if you see it buy it. You wont be disappointed. Here's a review http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Arts/2002/01/24/Lives_in_Exile/index.shtml
Hope I haven't bored you but this just really gave me a thrill and I had to tell somebody and who better than you guys and gals. And a BIG shout to Strand Books.