Opis: News Notes of California Libraries, Vol. 23 (Classic Reprint) - Library California State

Excerpt from News Notes of California Libraries, Vol. 23

It is the dream of every book lover, and I am sure of every librarian charged with the duty of forming a good working collection of things printed, to visit the shops of the European continent. But if one were required to limit his field in a geographical sense there is no doubt that quite unhesitatingly the British Isles would be chosen. There is a certain novelty, a sort of rare fillip to the thought of hunting incunabula in Germany where printing began, or in Italy where in the early days the art was so consummately practiced. Rich rewards are probably still to be had for the searcher who digs into the shops of France with their books charmingly illustrated in the French manner. No doubt, too, the persistent power over the stuff in the stalls along the quays of the Seine will be able, like the sourdough in the diggings at more or less rare intervals, to turn up nuggets enough to keep him hopeful if not altogether happy. But for those of us whose linguistic powers are more or less limited, who, despite the supposition to the contrary, do "read for the story," book hunting in English and Scotch coverts promises the better sport.

The bibliographical journals, both here and abroad, would at times have us believe that England is becoming, in a bookish sense, another old Mother Hubbard's cupboard; and not infrequently certain rumblings were heard which were perhaps mistaken for deep noted protests on the part of the British bulldog over the condition of his larder. Now it may be true that Shakespeare quartos and folios do not grow on every bush - they never did; and it is true that many copies of these treasures of our common language have been uprooted from their indigenous soil and have been transplanted to a newer land where they feel comfortably at home, and what is more important give inspiration to a kindred people. Caxtons, too, have taken wing and demonstrated the power of a book to reverse Colonel Lindbergh's feat. Even Dr Sam Johnson's dictionary and his other works may be less plentiful in the London where he arbitrated, now that A. Edward Newton and his disciples have given a new push to the growing snowball of the old lexicographer's popularity. Dove's Press items are not so cheap or so often come upon as they were before America grew very rich and began to exchange gold for that which maketh a man wise. But do not believe too implicitly the story that the little Island is no longer the bookman's game preserve where hunting is good.

The rarer items were always scarce. Gutenberg Bibles when they were fresh from the press would not have supplied a small Sunday school with texts. Time, accident, fire, war and pure ignorance have destroyed good books in all ages; and probably our own era on that score does not have a lily white record. But economic conditions have changed, often to be sure to the discomfiture of individuals and families. England has found the after world war struggle bitter. Great estates have been broken up, and institutions which seemed to our overseas kinsmen so essential a part of their scheme of things have been greatly modified. Books and other possessions which formed such a pleasing background to the life of a people have come into the market, and let us believe have more clearly demonstrated their commercial as well as their intellectual value. And there can be no doubt that in the change of ownership, often from private to public hands, the printed word is fulfilling its destiny, is making richer and wiser, let us hope better, the multitude which in the ages to come will press on to higher planes. It is clear, however, that the rarities hastily named in the foregoing sentences, together with their myriad fellows, are not for the librarians on a budget; they are the preserved pheasants of long pursed hunters like the late Henry E. Huntington, or Mr William A. Clark, Jr., happily strong and active.

So in my

Szczegóły: News Notes of California Libraries, Vol. 23 (Classic Reprint) - Library California State

Nazwa: News Notes of California Libraries, Vol. 23 (Classic Reprint)
Autor: Library California State
Wydawnictwo: FB &c Ltd
Kod paskowy: 9781332168897
Języki: angielski
Ilość stron: 578
Format: 15.2x22.9cm
Oprawa: Miękka

Recenzje: News Notes of California Libraries, Vol. 23 (Classic Reprint) - Library California State