It’s been a hell of a week. As we are all currently in a time out and staying the frak home, I’m finally finishing an article I started researching last Monday. After examining Harold Smith’s apartment for this Vacant Peaks article, I turned my attention to the books scattered throughout his place. Here’s a look at which ones I have identified so far.
EPISODE 2003
The first time we see books in Harold’s place is when Donna Hayward spots a piece of paper protruding from a ledge.
As she reaches for the paper, we see the bottom of books.
Later in Episode 2005, we get a closer look at the bottom row which helped determine they were published by Encyclopedia Brittanica.
Thanks to Worthpoint.com, I located a match – 1967 Encyclopedia Brittanica books. Does anyone remember a time before the World Wide Web when these were in every home around the world? My parents had a set of green encyclopedias that I actually referenced for school reports in the 1980s. My how times have changed!
That close-up shot in Episode 2005 also helped me identify the books above the Encyclopedia Brittanica. I searched “JJ Little & Ives” who is the publisher of “Natural Sciences Illustrated.” Published in 1958/1959, this 16 volume set was edited by Edward M. Weyer.
There is one additional set of Encyclopedias (the oversized red cover books) on that same shelf but I’ve had the darnedest time finding a match. I believe the title is “The Encyclopedia of” (or “Cyclopaedias”) but the lack of high-definition clarity on my television screen or laptop monitor have made it difficult to discern. Anyone have a guess?
Toward the end of Episode 2003, there is an open book next to Laura Palmer’s Diary. I’ve also attempted to identify it but haven’t found a match yet. I believe the book is discussing plant diseases (Black Rot) but without more details from the cover, this one will be incredibly challenging to find.
Thanks to @1400RiverRoad, we may have a match for the book. In episode 2005, a book is seen under Harold’s arm as he transcribes Donna’s story. One can assume it’s the same open book next to the Diary in Episode 2003.
If so, then it’s “The Orchids: A Scientific Survey” edited by Carl L. Withner in 1959. A quick search on Google Books turned up a section about “Black Rot” yet I’d have to obtain a copy to 100% confirm.
EPISODE 2005
We get a better look at Harold’s entire bookshelf in Episode 2005. It appears some National Geographic magazines with their iconic yellow covers are on the top shelf.
When Harold accesses his secret bookshelf, we get a better look at additional books. Where do I begin?
First up, the book just above Harold’s head is “What is Scientology?” Published by Church of Scientology of California in 1978, this book was inspired by the works of L. Ron Hubbard. It’s crazy to think that years later Mark Frost’s “The Secret History of Twin Peaks” will contain nods to Scientology.
Nearby, you’ll spot Webster’s Dictionary Unabridged second edition published in 1959. We’ll get a better look in a later in the episode.
There’s also the 1969 book from Reader’s Digest, “Our Amazing World of Nature – Its Marvels & Mysteries.”
On the opposite side, we learn that Stephen King is part of the Twin Peaks world with a copy of his 1981 book “Firestarter.” Fitting title, of course, for Twin Peaks.
Harold Smith tells Donna he is from Boston, so perhaps, in that context, this next book makes sense. It’s “Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling,” by Charles F. Chapman. Motor Boating published this book in 1956. If I had a boat, I’d name it “Donna Madonna, there’s aIways mañana.”
Fellow fan @1400RiverRoad spotted the “Complete Book of Running” by James Fixx from 1977 on that shelf. Could it be nods to Harold’s past life? This book was extremely popular in the late 1970s. It’s easy to find a copy on eBay today.
As Donna waits for Harold to get his journal, we see an oversized orchid book on the side table.
When Donna tells her story to Harold, notice how the book has magically moved.
The book is also spotted on the table when Donna finds her flashlight.
P. Francis Hunt published the “International Book of Orchids” on August 1, 1984. I found a copy on Amazon.com as well as several other auction sites.
MEAD COMPOSITION BOOK
Harold Smith used a wide ruled composition book created by the Mead Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. This book contained 60 sheets (120 pages) and pages measured 9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in / 24.7 x 19.0 cm. The product number is 09416.
The Greater Westford Literary Society shared this image of a similar notebook from 1987. I’m guessing the notebook in Twin Peaks was made after this date since it appears the year was replaced with the 09416 product code.
The Rays Days Blog shared this image of a similar Mead Composition notebook with a handwritten 1990 date.
Sadly, Mead.com no longer carries the specific 09416 composition notebook. The closest thing I found is this black marble notebook with product code 09910.
ENTER MADDY
When Maddy Ferguson tries to take Laura’s diary we see additional books on the upper shelf.
One book looks to be “Science Year” from 1975, part of the The World Book Science Annual collection. There is also a “Popular Science” book which is most likely an anthology of articles from the magazine. The National Geographic magazines are seen just above her head.
@1400RiverRoad also noticed that Laura’s Diary is on Harold’s desk while Maddy was attempted to open the secret shelf.
As Harold and Donna rush out toward Maddy, we see even more books stacked under the side table. The oversized orchid book has moved again. Laura’s Diary is now missing from the desk.
While there are several books seen on the bookshelf next to Donna and Maddy, it’s difficult to see the titles. One book, however, is Robert Leckie “The Wars of America” published in 1968.
@1400RiverRoad also spotted a 1963 Biology book by Villee (it’s on the left edge of the image).
EPISODE 2006
After James Hurley rescues Maddy (and eventually Donna), we catch a glimpse of Harold’s bookshelf. I really wish I could see all the details from this shot.
As Harold Smith stands at the door, we see the side table books are now neatly arranged compared to previous episode. Odd.
EPISODE 2007
In Episode 2007, Harold Smith has destroyed his apartment. As the camera pans over the mess, there is a book about orchids that’s different than the one in Episode 2005.
“Orchids – Flowers of Romance and Mystery” was written by Jack Kramer in 1975. I found a copy on eBay.
We get one final look at Harold’s bookshelf as Deputy Hawk, Sheriff Truman and Agent Cooper examine the remains of Laura’s secret diary. I really need that photo analysis machine from Blade Runner. It’s 2020, shouldn’t we have that sort of thing by now?!
FIRE WALK WITH ME
Harold Smith’s apartment briefly returns in Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me. It’s a completely different place than the one used in Season 2 (still one of my white whale film locations to find one day … though the interior could have been a set).
Most of the books from this scene are out of focus. I did, however, identify two of them as Laura leaves Harold’s palace.
The first is “Radwaste” by Fred C. Shapiro. Published on October 12, 1981, this book documents Mr. Shapiro’s investigation into nuclear waste. I wasn’t able to locate an exact match to the spine but it’s the same book.
The final book I’ve identified for now is Sarah Gainham’s 1967 novel “Night Falls on the City.”
@1400RiverRoad also spotted “Tumors of the Bone” by Charles F. Geschickter, MD and Murray M. Copeland, MD published in 1949.
This article is a work in progress meaning I’ll update it once I identify additional books. If you have found one I’m missing, please share in the comments below.
I did this with the books found in the bookhouse from episide 17. Super fun.
If youd like to continue in this vein you see a good look at the titles from that set you covered in your Bookhouse article.