Lawrence Thomas was a retired professor from the University of Wisconson-Madison. His books were very well cared for and were all organized and cataloged in the professor's 2500-square-foot home in Madison.
A bookseller of rare and out-of-print books, known as Mystery Mike, bought all 47,000 crime novels which he had boxed and loaded onto 28 pallets - two semi tractor-trailers full. He took some of the books to sell at last month's World Mystery Convention (Bouchercon) held in Albany, New York. I imagine that he did a brisk business.
I had not heard of Bouchercon, a convention for crime fiction readers and writers, but see that it is in its 44th year. Next year's convention will be held in Long Beach, California. Perhaps one could attend and stay on the Queen Mary, the retired ocean liner turned hotel that is docked there.
I have never counted the number of books in my personal library but I can guarantee you it is nowhere close to topping out at 60,000. I love reading books, I love buying books, and I love having books around me, but I do have my limits!
If you are interested, here is the link to the entire story about Lawrence Thomas and his library.
Wow - that's a great story - thanks for that link. I wish I could provide that sort of home for books!
ReplyDeleteVicki, I was impressed that Mr. Thomas had his books organized and cataloged by 'location'! I hope he had a chance to read and enjoy all his mysteries.
DeleteI love book collectors. And his house isn't even THAT big, is it? Wow, 47,000 crime novels. I'm sure we would have been friends with him!
ReplyDeleteKat, I don't know how he managed to shelve all his books in that small of a house! He must not have had room for a reading chair! From the story, it seems as if Mr. Thomas had some valuable finds in his collection. Just think how handy it would have been if he was a neighbor!
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