Mike Humbert's Idiosyncratic Guide to San Francisco, page 3

HERB CAEN
"Could you sign my copy of your book, Mr. Caen?"

At the risk of stating the obvious, Herb Caen was a Bay Area institution. His daily column was as much of a part of San Francisco as cable cars or sourdough bread. For sixty years, Caen pounded the keys of his Loyal Royal in celebration of his City, which he dubbed "Baghdad-by-the-Bay.". He was credited with coining the word "beatnik" back in 1958, and almost single-handedly abolished the term "Frisco." The morning paper hasn't been the same since his death in 1997.

Caen also was the author of several best-selling books. He would gladly autograph a copy when asked, and usually found something appropriate to personalize the inscription.

Below are photos of Caen taken from the dust jackets of his books, as well of some of the inscriptions he wrote in them.

(Click on any photo to see the larger version)