Bargain Books

Hooray for bargain books! Here's all the cool books I found while diggin' around at the Half Price Books in Dallas. The majority of them were under $10, most, $5 or less. A lot of them can be found relatively cheaply at Half.com or eBay. The only one not shown above, is Unforgettable Hollywood, simply because the book cover is metallic silver and was way too reflective to scan/photograph.

• Belarski: Pulp Art Masters. By John P. Gunnison. © 2003. Soft cover

If you are a fan of the kitschy, pulp covers of any of the pulp magazines of the 20's-50's, like Thrilling Mystery, Popular Detective or Argosy, then you will absolutely love this book. Filled from beginning to end with hundreds of covers, all in brilliantly garish color!

• Funny Face! An Amusing History of Potato Heads, Block Heads, and Magic Whiskers. By mark Rich & Jeff Potocsnak. © 2002. Soft cover

Since I collect kitsch books, this one definitely fit the bill. Filled from beginning to end with full color images of vintage toys and their packages. My favorites? Pete The Pepper, Frenchy Fry and Frankie Frank!

• Hollywood in the 1940's: The Stars' Own Stories. By Ivy Crane Wilson & Liz Smith. © 1980. Hard cover. OOP

Filled with SO many great B&W images of everyone from Joe DiMaggio to Tyrone Power. Some of the best photos I have seen in a LONG time. I've never seen any of them before, and that's saying something. A real treasure.

• The Happy Cooker. By Monique Van Vooren. © 1978. Soft cover. OOP

If you have seen Flesh For Frankenstein or Sugar Cookies, then you recognize Monique Van Vooren. This surprisingly good little cookbook, made a welcome addition to my odd little collection. Plenty of B&W photos of Monique and various celebs: Andy Warhol, David Bowie, etc.

• How To Lose Friends and Alienate People. By Toby Young. © 2003. Soft cover

I had to buy this book, if for nothing more than the title alone. It belongs on my bookshelf. Besides, it contains some bitter insight into the world of New York journalism. Fun!

• Unforgettable Hollywood. By Nat Dallinger. © 1982. Hard Cover. OOP

You'd be surprised how inexpensive so many great, out of print (OOP) books on Hollywood are! This one is filled some beautiful photographs that you don't see just anywhere. Really great stuff! A must-have for the fan of classic Hollywood!