Thursday, February S, 1976 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Three Thursday, February 5, 1976 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Three New bookshop opens on city's west side By LOU MOORE Among the large and diverse choice of bookstores in Ann Aribor is the West Side Book- shop on West Liberty Street. It arrived on the scene last Sep- tember, and offers an unusual variety of used and rare' books. Owners Jay Platt and Frank Misplan have put together an assortment of books that span interests ranging from philoso- phy and literature to travel and gardening. PLATT SAYS he has "been interested in used books for about the past six years." He has also admired the beautiful, old building which his shop now occupies. He previously work- ed at David's books and when the old store became available, he went into business for him- self. Platt says he started out with 1,200 books. He now has close to 7,000, and expects to eventu- ally stock around 15,000 books. This is 'about average for this kind of bookstore," he claims. The value of used or rare books, says Platt, is based on the demand and condition of the book, noting that "it's not true that rare books are expen- sive, a lot that are rare have no value." USED BOOKSTORES also gain popularity because they possess volumes that are now out of print as well as books that represent the betterbworkman- ship of the past. "About 60%- 70% of the books in the store are out of print," says Platt. According to Platt, it's hard to predict the future worth of a book. "Dealers are getting outrageous prices for (F. Scott) Fitzgerald first editions" and these prices "may go down, al- though it's hard to say," he said. There are alsostandard books or sets which are always in de- mand. The Encyclopedia Brit- annica's eleventhedition, dat- ing from about 1910, is an ex- ample. Strong in the humanities, this edition is "still a standard reference work in many areas" savs Platt. BUST JACKETS and theirl condition play an important part in the appraisal of a used book. out. Platt says a Fitzgerald first ed- He described the textbook ition can have its value boost- publishing business as a "rack- ed five times if it has the or- et" because the numerous edit- iginal dust jacket. ions are often meant to keep the price high. According to Platt dust jack- The West Side Bookshop also ets were introduced around the buys used and rare books, and turn of the century to serve they conduct a free search for only a functional purpose. They anyone seeking a volume not were plain brown paper and obtainable in the area. were usually discarded, making-- such jackets very rare. THE COMIC OPERA GUILD ~'OFFENDACH'S PRLSI T'S IA BELLE HELENE OPERETTA IN ENGLISH FEBRUARY 4 5 6 7 LYDIA MENDELSSOHN THEATRE EVENINGS: $3.50 MATINEE: $2.50 TICKET INFORMATION:763-1085 I ui~hUI~lhII1UtI~II11~ tTa "About 99% of all books go down in price," says Platt, but there are exceptions. One vol- ume at West Side bookshop by Jack Kerouac that was publish- ed in 1962 and sold for $3.95, was available for a dollar two years later, but now is worth $30. OBSCURE, BUT "GOOD" au- thors are most likely to increase in value. He adds that he "does- n't know any rich bookdealers. A dealer must enjoy books and being around them." Platt prides the collection which he has assembled and selectively chooses the books, or "prizes" which he wants for his I shop. He says that "used bookstores definitely reflect the tastes of the bookdealer." Being no ex- ception, Platt has a number of volumes on his interests, (ships and arctic exploration) and a generous selection of books by Jack London. He likes to havei literary classics in stock, but says that very popular books such as vintage Kennedy as- sassination books "are hard to keep in stock," which is dis- concertingafter having accom- plished the objective of finally obtaining one of these "prize" volumes. PLATT SAYS NOVELS and scholarly books sell quite well, with business and economics books less popular. Old text- books are not especially in high demand and attain a lesser val- ue than many other categories because of the numerous and frequent new editions that come I- ENJOY THE FINEST CHINESE FOOD WEST OF NEW YORK AND EAST OF SAN FRANCISCO IN A QUIET ELEGANT SETTING LUNCH 0 DINNER 0 SNACKS 0 COCKTAILS 0olloallllllllll9I I il i1 II II II II II I II ' 4 11 I AIII uu muiu u Iilllll Illua !411111111 1111I FOUR SEAS THE RESTAURANT IN THE WOODS 4905 WASHTENAW, ANN ARBOR JUST WEST OF GOLFSIDE .--ILI I Centennial celibate This handsome creature is named "Lonesome George." He is a Pinta Island tortoise and the sole survivor of his subspecis. Before him is a life span of another hundred years which he faces without either male or female companionship. Bar Association refuses to take stand in gag order battle WASHINGTON (AP) - With a showdown coming in its own ranks about the issue of free press and fair trial, the Ameri- can Bar Association has decid- ed to stay out of a battle over the question in the Supreme Court. from news media representa- tives recommend against issu-I ance of any orders imposing direct restraints on the press They also spell out procedures to be followed by judges if they feel restrictive orders are nec- essary. and has been sentenced to death. ALTHOUTH the Nebraska order is the first to receive full- scale review in the Supreme Court, the Reporters Commit- tee for Freedom of the Press has said it knows of 174 cases Lewis Jewelers Annual Anniversary Sale FEBRUARY 5, 6, & 7 Thursday & Friday: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. COME and CELEBRATE! Jewelry 20% OFF Watchbands, 15% OFF All Silverplate, 20% OFF Clocks, 10% OFF Gifts, 10% OFF All Charms, 20% OFF All Earrings, 20% OFF All Greeting Cards, 10% OFF DIAMONDS, 20% OFF OPAL PEN DANTS, 25% OFF Fine Crystal, 15% OFF Wall Plaques, 10% OFF Selected Candles, 50% OFF Sculptures, 15% OFF SILVER JEWELRY, 25% OFF Selected Brand Name Selected Brand Name Electric Watches Diamond Watches 30% OFF 40% OFF HALLMARK CARDS FREE PARKING REFRESHMENTS Maple Village Shopping Center-994-5111 across from Fox Village Theatre The ABA Board of Governors AN ABA SPOKESPERSON involving vetoed a proposal by the or- said the Board of Governors the past ganization's Committee on Fair decided last week against sub- Trial and Free Press to file mitting the brief on grounds a brief as a "friend of the that it added nothing to the; court" in a case arising out of arguments the court already has a Nebraska mass murder. before it. THE COMMITTEE'S brief The court is expected to hear would have reflected proposed arguments in March in the Ne- guidelines which it had drawn braska case, in which the State uein November for submission Supreme Court upheld an order up A b orisy-min limiting what the news media to the ABA's policy-making could report in advance of the Delegate Assembly at its meet- murder trial of Erwin Charles ing in Philadelphia Feb. 16 and SmrdertriloEwnChre 17Simants. Simants was convicted last The guidelines, revised after month of slaying six members running into strong opposition of a Sutherland, Neb., family For-UNIVERSITY of MICHIGAN Students, Faculty and immediate family only FREEPORT BAHAMAS Spring Break March 6-13, 1976 ONE WHOLE WEEK "NLUE per person INCLUDES: Round trip Jet airfare from Detroit to Freeport, Bahamas " Meal and beverages in flight 0 Accommodations at THU ' eithtrr Freeport Inn or Castaways Resort Hotel (hotel to be assigned)-quad occupancy 0 All transfers 0 Authen- tic Bahamian Revue included " And more. Phone: Pete Savoie-764-0845 or Roseann-761-4965 IL ailvvYzj VI 1/Z \IUAOLo A p Appearing at CHANCES ARE ONE NIGHT ONLY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8 I I i 11 r m m i o 11 b 1 bi 00. nil ,00 HIKING BOOTS by DEXTER Men's t., $34.00 * Women's v w 0 ol -P A R l ' 1 " $10*00 is. acc^ a. ooeg a c K a,.oarr Q.,pt Ck Q.._o+tYh lL.4a0tn a..4Al a,,,,oAlr" 10 D It's a thermogram-a picture of heat patterns in breast tissue. Along with a mammogram (X-ray), it's the most advanced way to spot troublebeforeit's felt as a lump. And that will save lives. And that's beautiful. 100,000 women this year will be tested at Breast Diagnostic Centers set up by the American Cancer Society and the i Phys;cns Desk Reference Regufcidy $12.50 I I. -... .ie . M .- m mr -1 A t II