ADVENTURES IN STATIONERY
Written by James Ward
I have written a book. It’s about stationery. It’s called Adventures in Stationery: A Journey Through Your Pencil Case and was published by Profile Books on September 11th 2014.
Here is a brief description of it:
We are surrounded by stationery: half-chewed Cristal Bics and bent paper clips, rubber bands to fiddle with or ping, blunt pencils, rubbers and Tipp-ex. They are integral parts of our everyday environment. So much so that we have no idea of the stories they have to tell. But James Ward is here to explain how important stationery is to us. After all, who remains unmoved by the sight of the first sheet of a brand new notepad? And which of humanity’s brightest ideas didn’t start life on a scrap of paper, a Post-it, or in the margins of a notebook?
Exploring these everyday objects, Ward reveals tales of invention – accidental and brilliant – and bitter rivalry. He also asks the difficult questions, who is Mr Pritt? What does shatter-proof resistant mean? How many pens does Argos use? And what do design evolutions in desk organisers mean for society? Perhaps most importantly, it’s time to ask Blu-Tack: what are the 1000s of uses they claim? Combining telling details, peculiar facts, a love of humour, hubris and brimming with curious stories, this book will change the way you look at your desk forever.
Sounds good, right?
It’s also been published in the US, where it has a different title because American’s don’t really use the word “stationery” in the same way that we do, and they don’t really use pencil cases either:
The American version is slightly different. Why not buy both and then compare them?
Wow, congratulations!
Im looking so forward to reading this. Hopefully this will expand my appreciation for other pens besides the awesome papermate.
Great book. Am halfway. Dreading reaching the end as I am enjoying it so much. I thought I was the only person to have a thing about stationery. I am out and proud about it now since hearing your interview on the BBC World Service (which lead me to buy your book). Hoorah. I am not alone. I can only feel sorry for those who do not appreciate the finer points of drawing pins or marvel at the amazing history of paper clips.
James, congratulations on the book. I tried to buy it at amazon.com, but when bought the Kindle edition it kicked me a book called “The Perfection of the Paperclip.”
Is that an alternative title or another title in your resume?
Hi Robert. Thanks! Are you based in the US? “The Perfection Of The Paperclip” is the title of the forthcoming US edition which hasn’t been published yet.
Thanks James. Yes, I’m in the USA. Look forward to reading your book.
James, I’m meeting friends in London on Wednesday to discuss your book. Any venue suggestions? Something stationery related obviously. Thanks! John
Hi, I am a reader from hong kong … As a stationery maniac, I find it difficult to put the book down! It brings back so many memories of our school days. Thanks!
Thank you! Glad you’re enjoying it!
Just finished your book James and I loved it. I have been completely obsessed with stationery ever since I was a child and it is reassuring to know that I am not alone. Thank you.
Thanks! Very happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
I’m the book reviewer for Roseland online, a community website based in Cornwall. What started off as a source of local information has grown to the extent that we now get up to 9000 hits a day from around the world. My aim is to review a range of books – from children’s picture books to chick lit and from non-fiction to thrillers. I plan to review your truly wonderful book this month. I also do occasional features and interviews. You can see an example at http://roselandonline.co.uk/writers-talking-june-2014-sallie-eden/
The authors are a mix of local and more widely known. It would be great to interview you. No money changes hands, just the warm glow of doing something for nothing and some free publicity! I’m based in London and Cornwall, but realise you are unlikely to have time to spare for a face to face interview, however, a short email exchange would be great – around half a dozen or so questions to be worked up into, say, a page of interview. You can reach me on sallie_eden@yahoo.co.uk
Many thanks and very best wishes for the future.
Sallie Eden (Roseland online)
I am greatly enjoying the book but feel that I have to take issue with the statement about rulers combining both wood and metal (p173 “my Velos 145 ruler features a boxwood body, with a steel “spine” running along one edge to ensure the ruler is able to provide a perfectly straight edge without any of the nicks or dents to which wooden rulers are vulnerable.”) The metal strip is also there so one can cut along the ruler with a cutting blade (obviously having placed materials on a cutting mat so as not to damage ones desk) and obtain a straighter, neater cut than with scissors. Using this type of ruler it is possible to cut ones own picture framing mounts, or other such items where a clean cut is of great importance
Just saw the review of your book in TLS. I have two frustrations. One is letter-set printing on stationery. I mean for one’s name and address. Almost impossible to find someone in the US who does it. The other is European-bore pencil sharpeners. Why are they so hard to find in the US? I have not yet seen your book. I hope that you have heaped scorn on the American-bore pencil sharpener and the ridiculous profile that it produces.
Loved the book James. Hopefully there is a second volume in you. Lots still to explore including the original DYMO label maker, the Manila folder, lamination, rubberbands, whiteboards, Artex and Sharpie markers, business cards, desktop filing, the Fiiofax craze, TEXTAS, paper guillotines, bubble-wrap, letter-folding machines, display books. regards Ashley (ashley.miller@svhm.org.au)
I too have read your book and was sad to finish it. I do hope you write more. Thanks so much for a very interesting book. As a result I have begun collecting Velos items.
I am just finishing this book and have really enjoyed it. I thought I was the only one with a bit of an obsession with office supplies . . . Learning the history of the items only makes them more wonderful. Thanks for the book!
I loved it too. I have read it twice now, and noticed different things each time.
I have got your book in Chinese edition from the bookstore yesterday, just on the half way through and I really enjoy reading it.
I saw your talk at the Chichester Skeptics in the Pub in July. During it, you pondered how Pritt stick worked out their statistic on their being enough adhesive to leave a trail from Earth, to Mars, and back again. At the talk, I promised I would find out, here is that promise fulfilled: http://furtherthoughtsfortheday.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/pritt-sticks-to-mars.html
Thank you for a very enjoyable book. Did you know, though, that there is a huge mistake on p. 76? It says a ratio of 1:2 so the same as 1:(sq rt)1.41. The radical sign was transposed! And it goes on to say that a ratio of 1:142 is about equal to this. No, it isn’t! It would have to be 1:1.42. (I don’t have the book with me, so this is from memory, and I might have the hundredths digit wrong….other than that…if the book goes to another printing, this really needs to be fixed!)
Just came across The Perfection of the Paperclip. Fascinating look at everyday office supplies. My dad was an artist; I will take a closer look at his drawing pencils!
Just came across Noesting No. 37 Card Holders in original box. Very tiny binder clips, but with a hook on one side in place of one handle. So cute, but what are they used for?
Thanks for making such a (potentially) mundane topic a real page-turner.
LR
Absolutely brilliant book! Good to know there are people in the world interested in the ever changing faces (and phases) of stationary items…we are not alone!
Olga – off to try and find an EF Blackwing 602 :)
“It’s also been published in the US, where it has a different title because American’s don’t really use the word “stationery” in the same way that we do, and they don’t really use pencil cases either”
Nonsense.
It’s a delightful book. Based on the dates you use and things you describe, you seem to be pretty young to have this perspective on office supplies and stationery. Now that I am no longer working in an office, I don’t have any need to collect the wonderful items you describe, but I have enjoyed the descriptions and history of those items immensely. If I had one criticism, it would be that you should have included more illustrations of some of the more obscure items.