Inventory time ...

r_fredrick_smith · #1 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 10:26 PM

Yes, I sometimes try to inventory my books. I currently have around 10,000 books --- a collection of 60 years. I put books in a box, photograph the first layer, then put another layer on top, photograph that, and so forth. I thought I'd show one of these gems

. Here is is:

Then I realized that the selection of books shown might serve as an editorial type statement. So for example, it might be a political editorial piece in the current season, or perhaps a photo to go with an obit (but needed the photo from my Clarke box), or perhaps something for an article on science fiction.

So photography can actually be useful, even if not elegant.

Cheers,
rfs

soupman · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 06:20 AM

You are way too organized. I friend of mine's wife takes a photo of her shoes nd tape the photo to the outside of the shoe box. She must have 50 pairs of shoes...all with a photo on the outside. Using photos to document what is inside is a great idea.

r_fredrick_smith · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 11:47 AM

It does save lots of time. Since I have 100 or so of these boxes of books it would take a long time to find a book on the bottom layer without the photographs.
Cheers,
rfs

JKlebPhoto · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 11:07 AM

Why don't you just make a database with titles and locations, and ID the boxes? As it is you have to look at each photo on each box to find what you need.

r_fredrick_smith · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKlebPhoto

Why don't you just make a database with titles and locations, and ID the boxes? As it is you have to look at each photo on each box to find what you need.

Will you volunteer to keypunch the data into the database for the 10,000 books I have?

When can you start?

Cheers,
rfs

PhotosbyChuck · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 03:01 PM

You seem to have more than one copy of the same book in that box.

r_fredrick_smith · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 06:23 PM

Yes, I do. I collect different covers, editions, etc. I eventually sell off excess dupes on eBay. Most of these I get in garage sales or in old used book stores (before they get greedy) where they were often sold at half the cover price. Since most of these originally sold for 35 cents to 75 cents, at half price they were a real bargain. Often they can be sold on eBay for $2.00 to $8.00 depending on what cover, edition, etc.
Cheers,
rfs