Tag Archives: book binding

Book Review: The Library, A Catalogue of Wonders

15 May

 

At a time in history when many readers are choosing digital books…myself included for ease of travel, plus I love the highlighting ability…reading The Library, A Catalogue of Wonders is time well spent.

The research is extraordinary.  The text is thought provoking.  The outstanding anecdotes just keep coming and coming.   Stuart Kells comprehensively covers history of scrolls to libraries of hobbits.  For fragile/delicate books to survive over centuries subject to the elements, insects, fire, humidity, carelessness, war, theft, purging…  is amazing.

Did you know a “book worm” is an insect?  I had only heard it describe readers!

I also appreciated the information on shelving technology…had not thought of it before.

The Library pairs well with The Millionaire and the Bard (previously reviewed).  Kells thoroughly covers the works of Shakespeare.

See 23 of the world’s most enchanting libraries https://on.natgeo.com/2UKZdaH via @NatGeoTravel  These photographs are stunning!  Check it out.

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Book Review: The Millionaire and The Bard

29 Aug

“Henry Folger’s Obsessive Hunt for Shakespeare’s First Folio”

Author:  Andrea Mays 2015

I give it Five Stars!

*Inside story of the rise and fall of Standard Oil, the source of economical fuel that launched the automotive industry and the source of Henry’s income for investing in rare books.

*Inside story of the publication of Shakespeare’s plays after his death, in an era when oral performances were not written (His life’s work may have been lost forever.)….typesetting, proof reading, paper, binding

*Inside story of the systematic acquisition of “Shakespeare’s Folios”…research, relationships, negotiations, privacy, delivery, storage…

*Inside story of an amazing marriage and mutual passion for literature.

*Inside story of the wisdom to transition from collecting to developing an extraordinary library to preserve and share the world’s greatest collection of all things Shakespeare.

Recommended reading for everyone interested in libraries, English Literature, Shakespeare, merits of vertically integrated corporations, strategy and negotiations for developing rare collection, early methods of printing/book binding, early twentieth century travel, biography developed from personal correspondence, even early twentieth century golf!

http://www.folger.edu

2016 is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/23/475392480/worldwide-celebrations-on-the-400th-anniversary-of-shakespeares-death

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