Saturday, January 17, 2009

An obscure sort of giveaway


I'm still mired in indexing, so more informative content will have to wait another week, but for now I have a special contest for blog readers.

Last September, in my "reviews of obscure books" series, I covered Brigid Knight's The Cloister and the Citadel, a little-known novel about Charlotte de Bourbon-Montpensier, a little-known Renaissance princess. While surveying my shelves last week, I was very surprised to come across a 2nd copy of the book. This happens more often than I want to admit.

So, rather than tease with another review of a novel you're unable to find, I thought it fitting to offer this duplicate copy as a giveaway. It's in excellent shape for a 50-year old novel, a 1st edition hardcover with a clean, undamaged dustjacket only slightly browning with age. The original list price was 15 shillings.

To enter, leave a comment on this post, or email me (address on left sidebar) with the subject line "Cloister giveaway," by the end of the day next Friday, January 23rd. Good luck!

102 comments:

  1. I'm always up for an obscure novel!

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  2. I love nun stories, although it seems this one doesnt totally focus on the convent. Still, it sounds cool.

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  3. I love older historical novels! Please put me in the drawing.

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  4. Some of the old historical novels are great! And the covers are gorgeous too. I would like to be entered into the giveaway draw too!

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  5. Sounds like an interesting read. Count me in!

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  6. please count me in..thanks

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  7. Anonymous5:06 PM

    Would love to own this
    KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com

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  8. Anonymous5:25 PM

    I'd love to be in the drawing too! I've been looking for a copy since I'd read your review.

    (Just in case Blogger eats my email addy: carriedaway AT myfastmail DOT com )

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  9. The books sounds really good. i'd love a copy.

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  10. Sarah,

    Sixteenth century is my thing! Please enter my name. Thank you!

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  11. I'd love to enter! And for what it's worth, you would not believe how many time the 2nd random copy thing happens to me. ;)

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  12. Oh, pick me! You had me at Cloister.

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  13. Sounds like a good find! Count me in!

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  14. Sure, I'm interested! Looks intriguing.

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  15. I love reading new books. Thanks for the giveaway.

    fmd518@inbox.com

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  16. I would love to win a copy of this book for my son who is currently at UT. He truly enjoys reading classic literature. Thank you for offering this contest.

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  17. What an interesting find. Certainly would help if I could find it to read.

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  18. Sounds like a fascinating book, enter me as well, please :)

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  19. Obscure is often the most fascinating since not everyone is talking about it.

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  20. I think a book about the Bourbon genealogy would be interesting. Thanks for a nice sweep !!

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  21. Looks interesting.

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  22. Anonymous10:40 PM

    I would LOVE to win this! I collect vintage books, I love antique novels. They smell nice, lol. I love browsing used book stores and I have a nice collection of old novels, a few first editions too. Would love this book! Thanks so much!

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

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  23. Darn, how am I going to get a hold of this book if I don't win? Your dangling a carrot but most of us will get a stick. LOL!

    Please enter me. I blogged about your giveaway here:

    http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-weeks-giveaways-galore_17.html

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  24. I would love to read this!

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  25. Ms I, there's plenty of convent content here :) The entire first half takes place at Jouarre.

    I do love the cover of this novel, since to me it looks timeless rather than old-fashioned.

    I actually didn't expect that much interest in this contest. Brigid Knight hasn't gotten this much publicity in years - too bad she's not around to appreciate it.

    There are a couple copies available through bookfinder.com as well, for not too high a price, for anyone who's super eager to get their hands on a guaranteed copy...

    Thanks for the linking, Teddy!

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  26. Would love to win

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  27. this book sounds like an awesome read. and the cover is just beautiful. Please add me to your drawing

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  28. Anonymous1:25 AM

    I'm in!

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  29. I've found myself with a few surprise second copies myself, mostly because my stuff has been spread between Ohio and British Columbia for the last few years.

    I think this sounds like a book I'd enjoy reading.

    (and Teddy, if I win this, I'll Bookcross it when I've read it & send it on to you!)

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  30. This sounds like an interesting read. Count me in please!

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  31. I am such a history buff, I would be thrilled to win this book!

    Thanks for the giveaway :)

    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. If it's open to international winners then I am in :D

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  33. I love old books,and would love to add this pretty one to my collection!

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  34. sounds interesting... would love to add this to my collection of books.

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  35. Please enter me. Looks like a great book.

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  36. I read your review, and her life sounds fascinating. I would love to win!
    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  37. Now THIS is an original giveaway! I collect antique books and I think this book is just beautiful.

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  38. This was written before I turned 20

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  39. I'm up for it! I've wanted to read it since you first mentioned it and have searched in vain for a copy somewhere!

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  40. Anonymous2:59 PM

    Very cool! I'm game!

    kim (at) phoenix-rising (dot) net

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  41. this sounds interesting, thanks

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  42. I'd love a chance to read this - mostly for the story but a little bit because I love the way old books smell.
    lol
    I know - I'm odd.

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  43. I like historical novels

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  44. Anonymous5:21 PM

    I love old novels and the amazing stories of the past. This would make a great read for myself and my mom.

    samsakara@twcny.rr.com

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  45. A nun, then a Calvinist, then a queen. Yes, I'd ike to read about that.

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  46. That would be so cool Jena and if I win, I'll send it on to you when I'm done!

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  47. I love the beautiful cover. Would love to have the book in my collection. Please enter me in your contest.

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  48. I really like this giveaway....I guess I'm obscure, too.

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  49. I've posted this at Win A Book. No need to enter the contest.

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  50. Looks like unearthed a gem in those bookshelves. Please enter me.

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  51. This sounds like a fascinating book. I'd love to have my name in for a chance to win.
    tanabata2000 at gmail dot com

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  52. Please count me in :)

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  53. Oh I'd love to read a copy of this.

    rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  54. Anonymous12:10 AM

    As a lover of history, it would be a pleasure to read this.


    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

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  55. Anonymous1:07 AM

    I think my mother would love this, so I'd like to try and win it for her. :D Please enter me in the contest!

    - Anastasia
    herebebooks@gmail.com

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  56. The only thing I love better than history is little-known history! Of even more gossipy than the big stuff, which I keep telling people is better than fantasy. There's nothing more exotic, weird or downright interesting than the history of planet Earth.
    Please put me in the drawing.
    As for covers, at least that one is dignified. Have you ever checked on old romance covers on the site: www.worldoflongmire.com/features/romance_novels/index.htm ?
    Takes the mickey out of them, which is a bit hard on the writers, artists and publishers but a great laugh if your sense of humour's intact. Thank heavens mine isn't there.
    (I find 2nd copies of my old books too. In fact, I wish I'd kept some of them instead of giving them away!)
    Monya (aka Mary)
    author of The Pirate And The Puritan

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  57. I would love to read it. :-)

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  58. Sarah, I just read your post on the Hist. Fict. forum about your problems with email entries. I entered that way, and now I'm concerned that maybe my entry won't make it into the contest. Therefore, I'll try to enter here, just in case; and if it's a duplicate entry, feel free to delete it. Such a great giveaway.

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  59. Anonymous9:53 AM

    I am a big history buff and love historical novels of any kind. Thank you for a chance to win!
    beausdorei at gmail dot com

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  60. Hi Linda, yes, I did get your email entry, just to confirm! The problems I've been experiencing are with emails with a subject line and no message body -- they seem to be generated by an automated contest-entering system and aren't reaching me (campus email is treating them as spam).

    I will check through for duplicate entries just to be sure, before I run the random number generator at the end of the week, to determine the winner.

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  61. Anonymous10:23 AM

    This sounds interesting. Please count me in! :-)

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  62. Sounds great!
    Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

    avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

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  63. Anonymous2:35 PM

    Oh, I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw your review. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

    My email is estesmcc AT yahoo DOT com

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  64. Wow what a great find on your bookshelf! I love historical romance and my goodness it would be fun to read a book from this genre written in the vast past and compare to how this genre is written now a days!
    Thanks,
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

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  65. I adore historic (and obscure to boot) novels. Please enter me in the drawing.

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  66. P.S. Just remembered, you'd better not award me the prize, much as I'd love it! I live in Australia...

    Monya (aka Mary)
    author of The Pirate And The Puritan

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  67. wow this one sound interesting! i would lov eot be entered!

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  68. This sounds like a good 'un. I'm in!

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  69. This sounds very interesting and I would love to be entered. Thanks
    rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

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  70. Anonymous1:31 PM

    I would be very interested in reading this book.
    traymona[at]aol.com

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  71. sounds like something I'd love to read!
    hannabeast1@gmail.com

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  72. I'd like to enter the contest.

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  73. Sounds like a great read. I'd love to be entered. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  74. I love 50 year old first editions! Sign me up!
    schmerfette@cox.net

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  75. Anonymous4:24 AM

    Please enter me in the drawing - sounds intriguing.

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  76. Obscure could just be another adjective for diamond in the rough. Enter me in the contest please, you made it sound most intriguing.
    florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  77. Obscure novels are so much fun! I'd love to win!

    lexie.cenni @ gmail dot com

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  78. Sounds good, I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

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  79. What a wonderful, literary-loving contest! Good to see such interest. jeaaron [at] ufl [dot] edu

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  80. Anonymous5:22 PM

    Such beautiful cover art. The timeframe is a few hundred years past my peak interest but the story looks engaging!

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  81. Anonymous10:34 PM

    An appreciation to experience...

    mcj4tlj@comcast.net

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  82. I'd like to enter please

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  83. this would be nice to read and give as a gift

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  84. Sounds very interesting !! Please enter me too !

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  85. I love the 15th century historical novels. Thanks for the unique giveaway.

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  86. I'd love to add this one to my book collection :o)

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  87. what a terrific giveaway

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  88. I love how different of a giveaway this is...

    madamerkf at aol dot com

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  89. Anonymous7:46 AM

    I do like historical novels. Enter me please.

    jwright (at) iowatelecom (dot) net

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  90. I am alys down for an interesting obscure novel.
    Please enter me and thanks for the contest.
    {jennygirl73(AT)gmailDOTcom}

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  91. Anonymous12:29 PM

    I like the idea of reading a book
    that I would not likely have run
    across otherwise. Sounds like a
    good read.

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  92. I am a collector of books, especially old books. My oldest item is a magazine printed in the 1930's. I would so love to win this contest. Thank you so much.

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  93. i like historical novels.

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  94. Great prize,count me in!

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  95. This looks like it would be a good book to read. I'm always looking for something new and different to read.

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  96. Anonymous6:37 PM

    oohhh, this looks really interesting.


    clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

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  97. i love reading literature from the past. garrettsambo@aol.com

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  98. Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

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  99. I'd give this to our local library which is like my second home. My kids love time at the library too.

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  100. Hi folks... just a quick note that the contest is closed, as of midnight EST. The winner has been drawn and will be announced tomorrow. Thanks to all who entered!

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