An interesting find

Boudewijn Büch was, except novelist, poet and columnist, a radio and television producer as well. In this latter capacity we learned about Büchs preference for islands. The most evocative island of course is Easter Island (Rapanui). Especially because it's so secluded and because of its large statues along its coasts.

In the nineties Büch often stopped by our stand when we were at large bookfairs. One of his questions always was “Do you have any books on islands?” If he asked me that same question right now, Boy, would I have a surprise for him!

And a surprise for me as well… The book came out of a long forgotten box. I got an offer to come look at some books. I decided I would take three boxes and without even carefully looking into them at that moment I took them with me.

It wasn’t until months later I finally found the time to open the boxes that I realised what I had bought! This is one of those moments a lonesome antiquarian bookseller lives for!

I currently happen to be the lucky owner of one of the rarest, or perhaps THE rarest book on EasterIsland that exists. It is a German book from 1883 about a journey made ​​in 1882 to Easter Island. This trip is considered to be the first ethnological expedition to the island.

Die Oster-Insel by Kapitänleutenant Geiseler.

Under the publisher name Sub Signo libelli Ger Kleis has issued a bibliophile series known for its beautiful printing and good workmanship. Nothing fancy, as you often see antiquarian titles from these series. Coincidentally, I encountered a Sub Signo Libelli title together with a booklet of the Arethusapers. The Arethusa printing press issued a bibliophile series that was published by Herbert Blokland. So far so good, but why am I telling all this?

See for yourself. The difference is quite big. A book like this would have ended in the dustbin of Kleis.