ALBUM "LO SE TODO #2: ZOOLOGIA Y BOTANICA"

Este álbum fue publicado en el Perú el feliz año de 1975. Tenía el mérito especial de contar con numerosas fotografías de animales representativos de la fauna peruana tomadas en el zoológico limeño "Parque de Las Leyendas" (el resto venían como de costumbre de alguna previa publicación hispana). La Editorial Navarrete se proponía continuar la serie iniciada con el "Lo Se Todo: Ciencias" del año anterior y que seguiría con el número 3 de "Billetes y Habitantes del Mundo" y acaso algúno más que no recuerdo.

El aparente gran número de 540 cromos se explicaba por la gran cantidad de figuritas dobles. La sección de animales ocupaba la mayoria de la publicación, de la 1 a la 423. Aparte de las secciones sobre zoología y botánica contaba con un corto intermedio titulado "El paisaje natural" (selva tropical, sabana , tundra) de la 424 a la 432.

No era difícil reconocer impresos en las páginas algunos dibujos tomados de anteriores publicaciones de la Editorial Sopena.

La selección de los felinos, que siempre era lo que más me interesaba de estos albumes de animales se limitaba aparentemente a los clásicos león, tigre, leopardo, gato y lince. Pero felizmente eran más de cinco los representados. Habían dos figuras de leones así como dos de tigres y bajo el nombre de leopardo aparecían erroneamente un guepardo y un jaguar. El único verdadero leopardo aparecía bajo el aceptable nombre de "pantera negra". Al guepardo (Acynonix jubatus) se le conoce también como "leopardo cazador" y eso puede haber confundido a los publicadores. El caso del jaguar es un poquito distinto...

EL CASO DEL JAGUAR

Esta vez si era un jaguar, que lo conocí personalmete. La foto era una del que vivía en el zoológico de mi natal Lima. Que reconocí su jaula de memoria.

En la parte de atras de cada cromo se reproducía el texto del álbum y en este caso no sólo se le llamaba "Leopardo" sinó que encima le daban el nombre científico de "Acynonix jubatus" (o sea el del guepardo). Parece que se dieron cuenta un poco tarde de los errores pero se alcanzó a corregir y aumentar algo porque en la página correspondiente aparece un entrecomillado "Leopardus onza". Además agregan dos lineas, una al principio que especifica "También llamado otorongo" (nombre quechua, peruano, del jaguar) y otra al final "Vive en la Amazonía peruana". Si soy la única persona en el mundo que se ha detenido en esto es porque estamos en Guelyland y estamos hablando del jaguar.

Pueden llamarme excéntrico ;)

Oso de anteojos, tapires y pecaríes del "Parque de las Leyendas"

KING KONG 3D

Because I'll share it with all of you, grab your red green 3D glasses and have an incredible look at Kong, The Eight Wonder of the Universe!

STAR WARS: YOU THINK YOU KNOW. BUT YOU DON'T !

When you think you've seen it all about the most popular and ultimate fanboy movie this side of the seventies and galaxy. Well, then this is about to hit you. And you, you just get the pop corn, the time and embrace this over 2 hours "everything you always wanted to know about Star Wars but you were afraid to ask" ! :)

BOOKS CONDITION

If you gonna buy a used book. You have to know it's condition. This is the most simple description they can give you:

• NEW (NEW) - A book that has never been read and is in perfect condition.

• VERY FINE (VF) - Essentially a "New" book (or "As New") with no defects, a crisp, tight binding, and virtually un-noticeable or no flaws found under close examination. A book that is in nearly perfect condition with no sign that it has been read. The dust jacket (if it was issued with one) must be perfect, without any tears.

• FINE (F) - A book in "Fine" condition approaches the condition of "Very Fine", but without being crisp. There must also be no defects, etc. Fine allows a small bump or two. If the book was read, it was done very carefully. The dust jacket may not be as shiny as new, but has no wrinkles, folds, chips or tears.

• NEAR FINE (NF) - No defects, little usage, and markings are minimal. A minor flaw may be present. "Fine" with a little more wear and some very minor flaws.

• VERY GOOD (VG) - A book in "Very Good" condition shows light wear to the book, and/or jacket, but with no large tears, or major defects. It is attractive, but not unusually so and is no longer fresh. Acceptable flaws might include: clipping, small tears or rips, rubbing, and a less than tight binding. There may be an Inscription on the front flyleaf or a small amount of writing (ie: name, date) in the first few pages. To qualify for "Very Good" however, the book must be completely intact, with a dust jacket (if one was issued).

• GOOD (G) - A book, or dust jacket in average used, and worn condition, but complete. Books in "Good" condition (or worse) are generally avoided by serious collectors unless there are few or no other copies available. They may have large chips and tears, price clipping, inscriptions, writing in the pages, a loose binding etc.

• FAIR (FR) - A book that is worn and handled, but no text pages are missing. It may be without a dust jacket, endpapers, or a title page. The binding may be loose and the jacket (if any), will likely be well-worn. It may be soiled with tears, but maps and plates must still be present. There can be writing in the pages and/or highlighted text.

• POOR (P) - Having very little collector value, a book in "Poor" condition is relegated to merely a "reading copy". It is very well worn and may have severe binding defects. A few text pages and perhaps maps or plates may be missing. "Poor" copies may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc. Not fit for collecting unless extremely rare.

Just in some exceptional case i would buy one below Good. Ok, once i bought a Poor copy but it was like from the 1860's , quite rare and expensive (like 40 times more if fine or better). Actually is cool to have it around because looks like from the library of Lord Greystoke. But it is, as I said, one exception (is the one in the pictures). Recently i purshased a much more decent later reprint .

VERONICA LAKE

Some movie stars you "know" from long time ago but you've never seen them in action, i mean acting. The famous "Peekaboo girl" (1922-1973) it's a good example for me. I knew since the 80's that she was petite, blond, pretty, that partnered often with shorty Alan Ladd, that her trendy trademark hairdo has to be changed so girls working in factories during WW2 didn't have work accidents and that her life end up too soon and her carrier even sooner.

Well, i just saw I Married a Witch (René Clair, 1942) and i finally met her in the "light". A delicious fantasy romantic comedy that was the inspiration for the famous sixties TV series Bewitched (and somehow of I Dream of Jeannie too). And there she was! Cute, funny and sexy. Now I wanna see more of her. I guess i will soon go for Sullivan's Travels (Preston Sturges, 1941), Blue Dahlia and the rest of the highlights of her carrier.

I just wish i had met her earlier...

And to put the cherry on the top this funny 40's sounding song "Murder, he says" in the voice of the great Tori Amos!