In July we had gone to a woman’s sale (that Jenny and I refer to as the bugdi sale) who had some really great books and I purchased a incredibly pretty (yet awkwardly sized at 12 x 4.8 inches) called Playing Cards, by Buzz Poole and Ira Pearlstein. 300 cards from the 1930s and 1940s are lovingly reproduced in full size and brilliant color. It’s a graphic design wet dream.

The cards were acquired at an auction by Ira Pearlstein, who introduces the book, and this is the biggest reason that I would consider it for a Book Report on our blog. What really resonated with me were Ira’s thoughts on the auction, collecting and junking in general. Ira was warned by his wife “don’t go crazy, Ira. Remember what I said. We don’t need them.”

Here is where Ira really wins me over: “I looked the other way, pretending that I didn’t recognize this woman, the light and joy of my life for the past 23 years, mother of my only begotten sons. I was in the grip of Auction Fever and Sharon was powerless to rein me in.” His total cost for all the cards? $17.50.