Over the past few weeks a few different notebooks have come into my life. A few were sent to me, a few were acquired through eBay and one I have had for sometime. I’m a big fan of notebooks, owning them and using them. I’m also the type of person that needs to keep life organized with a list, so the relationship is a mutually beneficial. Notebooks need people and people need notebooks.
One of my favorite eBay treasure hunts is for Robinson Reminders, originally from Westfield, Mass. The company made little perforated notebooks that go inside specially designed leather holders. The idea with the Robinson Reminder was to write a to-do on a piece of paper and when you were done with that item you tear it out. So only non-completed tasks remain. As far as I can tell, RR was a pretty big company that was around for a long time. Though not anymore. I would be interested to learn more, but the internet hasn’t turned much up for me. Interestingly though, they don’t come up on eBay very often. But when they do I grab them. I’m sure I will have more competition now…
Larry at J.W Hulme sent me this one as a gift. He made it in their shop and there is talk of it coming out officially soon. Hope it is okay that I posted it.
Another notebook that was sent to me as a gift was this special Doane Paper notebook done especially for Red Wing Shoes as a promotional item. I think these turned out great and those graphics are awesome. Not to mention Chad Doane makes great stuff, as does Red Wing. I’m gonna hang on to this one.
This is my great grandfather John Edward Roeser’s notebook, which is similar in material to one of the old Robinson Reminders. My cousin gave this to me a few years ago because he knows my affinity for such things. Thanks Robbie.
Cool post. I love notebooks too. Rhodia makes some cool ones that look great and are cheap.
Wow! I recently made a post about a notebook that I received from a friend and until now, I didn’t realize that it was part of a larger genre. I just gave it a quick once-over, but no brand markings- just a stamp on the back that reads “Japan”. A knock-off RR, perhaps?
Here is the post:
http://royalnonesuch.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/listless/
Doane grid/lines are nice. One of those ideas that should have been thought of years ago.
I hope these were more affordable than the one you posted earlier…
Your custom leather one with the rivets is sweet. I’d be into that if it’s in my price range. I personally have a penchant for smaller, thicker notebooks that have durable, pliable covers.
Hey Michael,
All’s good with posting that… glad you like the notebook. Should have them up and ready to ship mid-September!
Just as an FYI to ACL readers, my inspiration for these notebooks was the ACL Smythson Notebook Post (6/3/10)… and all the subsequent posts (also popularized in the, more recent, Top 5 ACL Comment Clusterfucks post [8/21/10]).
correction… subsequent comments (not posts).
“You ask me if I keep a notebook to record my great ideas. I’ve only ever had one.” – Albert Einstein
LOVE that J.W Hulme one.
I hope I can get my hands on one of those some time soon.
The coolest one, hands down, is your grandfather’s.
Just as it should be!
When in Japan go to Muji for a beautiful selection of great, simple, and cheap notebooks.
They have Muji stores in NYC too.
Man. Can you ever really have enough notebooks?
I’m currently hauling around 2 moleskines hardcovers
a perpetual fill in calendar from muji, a small rhodia that’s jacked up and a spiral composition cheap notebook I got at walgreens made of earthwise
100 % recycled esselte paper. Paper Feels like Rubber. I’m going to have to make room for Larrys leather book. I bet he debossed that ACL by hand. Beautiful. The Robinson reminder is awesome. I hope you have luck getting refills. Maybe we can talk pencils and pens. Fountain, ballpoint, mechanical, retractable gel from zebra gel, sharpie…and I’m on the hunt for the liquid graphite pencil that Billy Reid posted. I checked Joon and no luck.
I am a big pocket notebook fan too and have been loving the Field Notes versions for several months, but I just came across a different kind while visiting my brother-in-law’s house. He’s got a military issue variety that work well in all-weather. I just placed an order today at RiteInTheRain.com.
a lot of notebooks and sketchbooks but people write and draw a lot of nothing in them
Not really post related….but just wanted to pop in and say – dude your blog is just getting better. Thank you.
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One thing that I love to do, is to go back to my old notebooks.
Go through old memories, remember stuff that was lost … it’s an exercise that brings a lot pleasure …
Beautiful post !!!!!
The liquid graphite pencil Billy Reid posted is a Sharpie. You can order at Amazon. Should be in stores later this fall.
you are extremely generous to post about anything that you specifically hunt for on ebay, because you’re right, you will likely have more competition. count me out though because i have in love love with the one from larry!!!!
Thanks Mike. I’m ordering now
I love notebooks as well, my favorite is still the ruled soft cover moleskine. i wish they made transit books for surveying. to tell you the truth i wish a lot of companies made transit style field books like the company in your shop – field notes. in my search for a transit book that stands out from the typical “ELAN” or “write in the rain” books everyone else has i’ve been coming up short. you seem to have some friends out there, maybe you could spread the word.
Thanks MW for the wink, much appreciated.
Blackbird Ballard sometimes stocks good selection of stylish notebooks
“A pedantic adherence to certain papers, pens and inks is beneficial. No luxury, but an abundance of these utensils is indispensable.” – Walter Benjamin, in One Way Street – The Writer’s Technique in Thirteen Theses
Man, I’ve been looking for something like the Robinson Reminders for years. Eaton “At a Glance” used to make a pocket notebook like this. The paper was blue, but was perforated into three or four segments so you could tear off one at a time. They don’t make this notebook anymore. Wish I had bought a pile of ’em!
So awesome, I’ve been going to Westfield for years for family get-togethers, classic old-school industrial town, I can totally see those being made there.