{"product_id":"the-autograph-book-of-la-josh-kun-9781626400597","title":"The Autograph Book of L.A.","description":"\u003cb\u003eExplore Josh Kun's \"The Autograph Book of Los Angeles,\" the third in his library-based trilogy, examining how signatures represent dreams of fame and the magical transfer of renown between celebrity and fan.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles--The autograph is the premise for a dream: maybe, just maybe, the autograph hunter will become the autograph hunted, maybe the autograph will double as a magical transfer of renown, and by receiving the signature, one day you will be signing your name when someone asks.\u003c\/i\u003e So surmises Josh Kun in \u003ci\u003eThe Autograph Book of Los Angeles\u003c\/i\u003e, the third in his trilogy based on the Special Collections of Los Angeles Public Library. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut leave it to MacArthur Fellow, USC professor, and culture communicator \u003ci\u003epar excellence\u003c\/i\u003e Josh Kun to take the concept beyond mere names in little forget-me-not books. He looks at his hometown and sees the \"signatures\" of others who call it home. Suddenly graffiti and imagery become autographs of a new L.A., far beyond those explored in 1906 by Charles Lummis, the city librarian who conceived the autograph collection as a way to document the century. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eThe Autograph Book of L.A.\u003c\/i\u003e was born from an early 20th century archival collection, but its goals are very 21st century,\" says Kun. \"I was inspired by the early collection to ask key questions of the L.A. of right now. Whose voices matter? Whose names are remembered?\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn 2018, Kun and librarians from LAPL followed Lummis's lead and relaunched the autograph collection, sending blank stationery to contemporary Angelenos--artists, writers, scientists, activists, entertainers, and thought leaders. The autographs of contemporaries came flooding in. Television legend Norman Lear left a maxim and famed billboard persona Angelyne left her signature \"kiss.\" Next, taking a new look at the meaning of fame, Kun and LAPL provided stationery at branch libraries urging Angelenos at large to leave their mark: their signatures, their stories, their art. The Stitchin' Sistahz Quilt Circle listed its members, Skid Row artist Shugga left a signature, and the family behind Yuca's taco hut left a page full of memories and a photograph of \"Mama\" Socorro Herrera who founded it. Suddenly the LAPL that gained renown in Susan Orlean's \u003ci\u003eThe Library Book\u003c\/i\u003e is at it again. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Autograph Book of L.A.\u003c\/i\u003e is full of color, full of life, and full of stuff to ponder. Its message applies to any city, any library that asks \"What's in a name?\" Kun and his team show how a collection of names has become one of a library's most important documents of time and place. (AND, did we mention this book is gorgeous?) Check it out! \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eJosh Kun\u003c\/b\u003e is professor of Communication and Journalism at USC's Annenberg School. He is author of several books, including two others based on LAPL special collections: \u003ci\u003eSongs in the Key of Los Angeles\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eTo Live and Dine in L.A.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Josh Kun\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1626400598\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781626400597\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Angel City Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/25\/2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 3.30lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 12.30h x 9.30w x 0.90d","brand":"Josh Kun","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48088662442239,"sku":"9781626400597","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_de81aedd-27dc-4f85-a6bf-b1c022d15524.jpg?v=1769105976","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-autograph-book-of-la-josh-kun-9781626400597","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}