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Guns, Pipes, and Puppies: Famous Authors' Signature Accessories

By Emily Temple
Jan 30 2012, 4:00 PM ET Comment

Why Vladimir Nabakov never left the house without a butterfly net

William S. jpg
Authors are a strange, particular bunch. Marcel Proust, apparently, was so fond of his velveteen gloves that he wore them to bed (perhaps to preserve his smooth smooth hands), and countless authors have affected capes, walking sticks, and various other accoutrements worthy of acclaim. Some, however, have become icons in their own right, inextricably linked to their authors (and thus all the easier for turning into Halloween costumes).

We love a good pipe, so we've collected some of the most iconic author accessories of all time—click through to see our picks, and let us know if we've missed your favorite writerly hat, hair clip, or affectation in the comments.

This post also appears on Flavorpill, an Atlantic partner site.

Image credit: AP

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