The Ultimate in Paperback Nerd Gear

Yep. I've gone and done it. I've inched over just a little further into total Gold Medal Geekdom. Mass-Market Madness. The full-on Bill Crider Crazies.

Last week, I purchased 300 paperback-sized poly bags from Budd Plant in Grass Valley, California. I purchased these bags ($6.50 for 100, plus shipping and handling) for the express purpose of bagging and sealing my Gold Medal, Lion, Signet, Avon, Pocket, Bantam and other assorted vintage paperbacks.

In the words of my son Parker: "Dad, that's the most boring package ever."

And maybe he's right.

But would you look at those mothers (above)? All safe and nestled in their bright, shiny polypropylene pockets? It's a thing of beauty. And I've spend a lot of time this weekend bagging my collection. The most needy cases were served first: my Goodises, Horace McCoys, Cains, Woolriches, Westlakes, Starks, Thompsons. Followed by any Gold Medals and Lions. There are only so many bags to go around, and I'm afraid I had to play favorites. The task is not finished, but already I see that three hundred is far, far too few...

And yes, I said polypropylene. Sorry Al Gore. Sorry Planet Earth. These suckers will be around forever. That's the point!

Mmmmmm. Bags...