I picked up a really cool sketchbook a few weeks ago while on vacation in Bangor, Maine. It was in a little bookstore I stumbled upon while on a brief photowalk with my Special Lady Friend. It came with a photocopy of a wonderful article that described the creator of the books, one G. Wayne Wilcox. Based out of St. Louis, he makes all sorts of stuff out of recycled material, such as a bicycle trailer that doubles as a hearse, glasses made from spokes that flip up when he doesn’t need them, and these books.
The books come in a few different sizes. I got one of the smaller rectangular shaped ones, which fits wonderfully in the back pocket of my bag. It’s built sturdy, with heavy stock for the pages and black construction paper wrapped around it in a folding kind of cover. It’s partially bound with glue (for the back of the pages) and strips of rubber bicycle inner tube, which doubles as a strap to keep the book closed. Since the cover folds and wraps around the book to protect the pages, there’s enough room to fit a pen in between the outside of the pages and the cover.
I’ve begun to draw, sketch, or doodle in mine every day. I’m enjoying this thing so much that I’m considering purchasing more in case I can’t find them again. Mr. Wilcox doesn’t seem to have any web presence that I can find, just a phone number printed on the books. Maybe I’ll give it call. Does anyone know where you can buy these things, other than by phone? Is this guy still out there making them? I’d love to find out more information about this fellow and his work.
I’ve posted a few more pictures of the book on Flickr, tagged with bicyclebrandblankbooks.
11 Comments
i love these books too! i was in st. loius for a weekend and happened upon a book fair. i bought this great journal at the left-bank book store stand, but can’t figure out how to get another one. i called the bookstore, but they didnt have a way of getting in touch with wilcox. did yo ever get anoter one?
@emily – I haven’t seen them since, though the next time I’m in Bangor I’m going to stop by the place where I bought this one (they had different sizes and I’d like to get another one to keep at the desk). I’ll post here if I find out more. Have you tried the number that is printed on the books? I had assumed that would get you in touch with Wilcox, but I haven’t tried.
I sell them at my bookstore in MN.
http://tinyurl.com/yqfa43
Wayne’s a cool guy. Definitely one of a kind.
@Jerry – Cool! Thanks!
Wanyne is my stepfather, and ive been trying to track him and my mother down for over a year now. so if anyone reading this has seen or heard from charity (his wife, my mother) will you please tell her to contact me.
I just bought one of these the other day i love it. it is perfect to keep with me since the cover has a fair amount of oil in it the thing stays perfectly dry (i am around water alot)
Wayne is a great guy! Hilarious to talk to. I knew him for about ten years in Minneapolis, his print shop was in the basement of the building my business was in. He showed me one of these Bicycle books and told me the whole idea in the late 80s. …Of course I thought it was totally crazy. I am glad for him that he finally did it.
I met him in NYC in the early nineties and bought quite a few books from him. Hope he is well.
I have gone through very many journals by G. Wayne (who also once ran for mayor of Minneapolis in the 90’s) and have not seen him around in years–hope he and Charity and the baby are doing well. Get in touch if you read this, G. Wayne! Vicki
Hey Folks! After 20 years and a 38 state tour I have landed again in Saint Louis Missouri. I repaired a paper cutter to day and and am working on more books. I also have access to printing presses to print your logo’s on book covers. Have your favorite store call me or call me directly at 314-269-3742
Hey Wayne. You’re missing about three weeks of 20 below cold here in Minneapolis. Awful! Your name has come up several times here this week. Hope the book printing is going well.
Post a Comment